Laclede in Linn County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Boyhood Home
General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 22, 2025
1. Boyhood Home Marker
Dr. Nathaniel Harris built the house now known as the Pershing Boyhood Home in 1858. It is approximately 3,800 square feet and is of Rural Gothic gingerbread, Victorian-era styling. The foundation is native limestone and the exterior walls are wood-platform-framed with clapboard siding. The interior walls are lath and plaster over brick and the roof is cedar shake. On the first floor is a parlor, library, dining room, serving room, pantry, kitchen and a storage room. The parents' bedroom, two smaller bedrooms and a walk-in attic make up the second floor.
Harris sold the home in 1865 and moved his family south to Cooper County, Missouri. There, he built a nearly identical house.
In 1866, John Fletcher Pershing and Ann Thompson-Pershing purchased the home. They moved in with their children, John Joseph, James Fletcher, and Mary Elizabeth.
John J. Pershing, known as Jack, lived in the home from ages 6 to 21, the formative years of his life. In 1881, he took a competitive exam and received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. In later years, Pershing often referred to Laclede as his dear old home.
this page online
In 1948, the Pershing Park Memorial Association purchased Pershing's boyhood home. The State of Missouri then purchased the home in 1952. In 1960, on what would have been Pershing's 100th birthday, it was dedicated as General John J. Pershing State Historic Site.
[photo captions]
John Pershing as a young boy.
Pershing family in front of home.
Pershing family with Lieutenant Pershing.
Erected by Missouri State Parks and Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.
Location. 39° 47.283′ N, 93° 10.151′ W. Marker is in Laclede, Missouri, in Linn County. It is at the intersection of Pershing Drive and Warlow Street, on the left when traveling north on Pershing Drive. The marker is beside the sidewalk, in front of General John J. Pershing's boyhood home. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1100 Pershing Drive, Laclede MO 64651, United
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 22, 2025
2. Boyhood Home Marker
Looking west from Pershing Drive. The marker is beside the sidewalk, directly in front of General John J. Pershing's boyhood home.
Regionally, this marker is in North Missouri. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Joseph Pershing (a few steps from this marker); General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home (a few steps from this marker); Statue of Gen. John J. Pershing (within shouting distance of this marker); Laclede (within shouting distance of this marker); Prairie Mound School (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Laclede (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Laclede (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Laclede (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Laclede.
Regarding Boyhood Home. National Register of Historic Places № 69000111.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 22, 2025
3. Gen. John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site
General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home
has been designated a
National Historic Landmark
This site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America
1977
National Park Service
United States Department of the Interior
From the National Register Nomination prepared by Cathy A. Alexander and Ralph Christian, 10/1975:
Built around 1857-58, this residence became John J. Pershing's home in 1866. He lived here for about 11 years, or until he was about 17, and his family remained here until after he had entered West Point. Other than military quarters that he occupied on a temporary basis, this is the only known extant structure associated with Pershing. This property was acquired by the State in 1952. Now the Missouri State Park Board has restored the house and opened it to the public as a museum.
The two-story, gable-roofed, basically T-shaped residence sits on a low stone foundation. After the Pershing occupancy, a partial basement was created to accommodate a furnace; the Pershings had relied on stoves and two fireplaces for heat. Stoutly built, the house walls are pine lath with oak studs and brick interfill that extends to the second floor. Gray-painted weatherboards cover the exterior, although originally the building may have been all white. Wood quoins and porch trim decorate, along with bargeboard trim and ridge-end finials and pendants at thesouth and east gable ends. A roof with a north-south ridge tops the main section, and a roof with a east-west ridge surmounts the north wing. Sloping roofs cover one-story rear extensions of uncertain date.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 22, 20254. General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home
(southeast elevation)
Many of the house's six-over-six and four-over-four sash windows have exterior label molding ornamentation, but not those beneath the one-story, hip-roofed front porch. This three-bay-wide wooden porch extends across the house front to the north wing, and the wing has a first-story, front-facing bay window. A large, brick central chimney stands near the intersection of the main and wing roofs. Another brick chimney serves the main block, and a third stack tops one rear extension, the kitchen.
Pershing's character developed in large measure as he grew up in this house between 1866 and about 1877, and for that reason and because it is the only known permanent residence associated with him, this house museum represents him well.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home
Also see . . . Gen. John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site (Wikipedia).
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 22, 2025
5. General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home
(south elevation)
(south elevation)
Excerpt: General John Joseph Jack Pershing led the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I and attained the rank of General of the Armies.(Submitted on February 3, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Pershing was born on a farm outside Laclede but lived in the home from age six to adulthood. The historic site preserves and interprets the boyhood home and the one-room Prairie Mound School at which he taught for a year before attending West Point Military Academy. The home has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1969 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976.
On September 13, 1960, as part of a national centennial celebration of Pershing's birth, the home was officially dedicated in his memory and the soldiers who served under him.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 22, 2025
6. General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home (southwest elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 49 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 3, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
