Battle of Athens State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Athens State Historic Site |
|
|---|---|
 Battle of Athens State Historic Site
Location in Missouri
Battle of Athens State Historic Site
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Sweet Home Twp, Clark, Missouri, United States |
| Area | 408.5 acres (165.3 ha) |
| Established | 1975 |
| Governing body | Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Battle of Athens State Historic Site |
The Battle of Athens State Historic Site is a special place in Clark County, Missouri. It sits right next to the Des Moines River. This site helps us remember the Battle of Athens.
It's like an outdoor museum where you can learn about the battle and what happened after. This historic site is one of the farthest north places in Missouri.
Contents
What Happened at Athens?
A Busy Town Before the War
Long ago, before the Civil War, Athens, Missouri, was a busy river town. It had many shops and a big mill. About fifty businesses were thriving there.
The Battle of Athens
In July 1861, soldiers who supported the Union took over Athens. These soldiers were part of the Missouri Home Guard. The Union wanted to keep the United States together.
But soldiers who supported the Confederacy also wanted control. The Confederacy was a group of Southern states that had left the Union. These pro-Southern soldiers were called the Missouri State Guard.
On August 5, 1861, the Confederate-leaning State Guard attacked Athens. They wanted to capture this important town. The Union Home Guard was greatly outnumbered, with three Confederate soldiers for every one Union soldier.
Even though they were outnumbered, the Union Home Guard won the battle! This fight was small compared to other Civil War battles. Not many soldiers were hurt.
But it's famous for being the northernmost Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River. This means it was the farthest north battle in that part of the country.
Athens After the Battle
After the battle, people in Athens felt very strongly about what had happened. Over time, trains became more important for moving goods than riverboats. This meant Athens, a river town, became less important.
By the early 1900s, Athens was almost a ghost town. It was a quiet place with few people left.
Creating the Historic Site
In 1962, people who lived nearby worked together. They created the Battle of Athens Park. Later, in 1975, they gave this park to the state of Missouri. This is how it became the Battle of Athens State Historic Site.
Things to Do at the Site
Explore and Learn
The Battle of Athens State Historic Site offers fun ways to learn. You can join special programs that explain the battle. You can also take free tours of the Thome-Benning House.
Outdoor Fun
If you love the outdoors, this site has a lot to offer. You can go camping and fishing. There are also three areas perfect for picnics. Plus, you can explore two hiking trails.
