Fort Davidson

Fort Davidson was the site of the Battle of Fort Davidson during the American Civil War. The site is listed as "Fort Davidson" on the National Register of Historic Places and is protected also as Ft. Davidson State Historic Site.

Today, the battle area is operated by the Missouri State Parks system as Fort Davidson State Historic Site. The earthworks of the fort are still generally intact, surrounding the huge hole that was caused by the powder explosion. Following the battle, the Confederates held the field and were therefore responsible for burying the dead. One of the rifle pits was accordingly selected for use as a mass grave. Although the exact number of Confederate casualties are unknown, park historians estimate that total Southern casualties were approximately 1,000. This compares to 200 Union casualties, 28 of which were killed. The mass grave is now marked by a granite monument.

A museum and interpretive center exists at the historic site, which is free and open to the public seven days a week (closed Mondays in winter). A 25-minute film about the battle is shown regularly, together with a 15-minute audio-visual display of the battle in miniature. The museum includes artifacts from the battle, as well as from the Civil War in general.

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