Arcadia Valley

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Pilot Knob in Ironton as photographed in 1876

Arcadia Valley is rural area in Missouri located 80 miles south of St. Louis in the St. Francois Mountains of the Ozark Plateau. The valley includes of the cities of Arcadia, Ironton and Pilot Knob, all founded in the 1800s.

Arcadia Valley has been a non-indigineous settlement for over 300 years. It was discovered by the Hernando DeSoto expedition as a source of an important mineral ore for making gunpowder. It became a permanent settlement as a mining community, primarily mining iron and lead ore.

Arcadia Valley is known for its red brick Iron County courthouse, graceful antebellum homes and turn-of-the-century mercantile buildings. It was a popular nineteenth century summer resort. During the Civil War the valley was the site of a significant battle at Fort Davidson in Pilot Knob.

Elephant Rocks State Park is located in the valley, and Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park and Taum Sauk State Park are nearby.