Brookline near Battlefield in Greene County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Gibson's Mill

Wilson's Creek

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 29, 2010

1. Gibson's Mill Marker

Inscription. The mill and house of John Gibson once stood in the valley in front of you along Wilson Creek. On August 9, 1861, the day before the battle the Gibson family and their neighbors found themselves surrounded by more than 12,000 Confederate soldiers whose camps extended two miles south along the creek.

The Gibsons made their living by grinding corn and oats into flour, and by carding wool. When the cannon began to roar on the morning of August 10, they took refuge in their cellar. Today the house and mill are gone, but foundation ruins are visible.

The 1-mile loop trail beginning here leads to the sites of the mill and house. Down along the creek you may also see remnants of the millrace, a narrow earthen canal that carried water to turn the mill's water wheel.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 37° 6.919′ N, 93° 24.335′ W. Marker is near Battlefield, Missouri, in Greene County. It is in Brookline. It is on Tour Road, on the right when traveling east. Located at stop 1, Gibson's Mill, of the Wilson's Creek battlefield driving tour. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brookline MO 65619, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Springfield.

It is also in the American Ozarks,

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: Way to the Mill (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gibson's House Site

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Signs From The Past (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gibson's Mill Site (approx. ¼ mile away); Battle's Beginning ... and End (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ray Springhouse (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fight in Ray's Cornfield (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Ray Family (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Battlefield.

Also see . . . Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Park. (Submitted on September 1, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Confederate Camp Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 29, 2010

2. Confederate Camp Map

Map showing the location of Confederate and Missouri State Guard campsites. Note the north seeking arrow points to the bottom of the map.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 29, 2010

3. Gibson's Mill Marker

Fenceline Between Gibson's Oatfield and Ray Cornfield image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 29, 2010

4. Fenceline Between Gibson's Oatfield and Ray Cornfield

Some of the Confederate units camped in the fields prior to the battle of Wilson's Creek.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,057 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 1, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.