Swope Parkway - Elmwood in Kansas City in Jackson County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Log House and Defensive Line

Photographed by Thomas Onions, March 27, 2010

1. Log House and Defensive Line Marker

Inscription.
This log house hiding Confederate snipers was in front of the defensive line 250 yards to the south. Heavy fighting took place there on Oct. 23, 1864 between Marmaduke's Confederates and Pleasonton's Cavalrymen. Clarke's Confederate Brigade was in line here, fortified with fence rails. It ran south to 63rd from the cliff which is a few rods to the north. Pleasonton drove them to the west at 11 A.M.

Erected by Various Companies. (Marker Number 17B.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Missouri – Battle of Westport series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 39° 1.107′ N, 94° 31.8′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Missouri, in Jackson County. It is in Swope Parkway - Elmwood. It is on 59th Street 0.1 miles east of Lister Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kansas City MO 64132, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the Santa Fe Trail

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Corridor.

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: The Log House, October 23, 1864 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle of the Big Blue (approx. ¼ mile away); Battle of the Big Blue, October 22, 1864 (approx. ¼ mile away); The Battle of Westport, October 21-23, 1864 (approx. ¼ mile away); Saving Kansas City's Battlefield (approx. ¼ mile away); Battle of the Big Blue, October 23, 1864 (approx. ¼ mile away); Taking Bloody Hill (approx. ¼ mile away); Byram's Ford Battlefield (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.

More about this marker. 59th Street is narrow - park on Lister Avenue 1/2 block away.

Listing of companies that donated the marker:
American Cyanmid Co., Nichols Industries, Mr. Jerry Krouse, Stratford - Graham Engineering Corp., Pepsi-Cola Bottlers Inc., B. F. Ascher Co.

Also see . . .
1. Civil War on the Wester Border: Battle of Westport.

Photographed by Thomas Onions, March 27, 2010

2. Log House and Defensive Line Marker

Area photo of the marker facing south.

Kansas City Public library website entry (Submitted on April 17, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. John S Marmaduke. Wikipedia link on the life and career of Confederate division commander who fought here. (Submitted on May 2, 2010, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)

3. Alfred Pleasonton. Wikipedia Link to the life and career of the Commander of the Union Forces pursuing General Price across Missouri. (Submitted on May 2, 2010, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)

Photographed by Thomas Onions, March 27, 2010

3. Log House and Defensive Line Marker

Area photo of the marker facing east towards the Big Blue. Byram's Ford will be towards the southeast out of the picture.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2010, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. This page has been viewed 1,641 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 2, 2010, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.