Arcadia in Iron County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Fort Curtis
Battle of Pilot Knob
Photographed by Duane Hall, October 14, 2016
1. Battle of Pilot Knob — Fort Curtis Marker
On this hillside stood Ft. Curtis. It commanded the high ground overlooking the junction of the road that connected Ironton and Pilot Knob with Fredericktown. In 1863 it was abandoned for Ft. Davidson because it was too far from the rail terminus and supply depot in Pilot Knob. Confederate officers used this site as an observation post during the battle because it gave them a good view of the entire valley.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 37° 35.414′ N, 90° 37.583′ W. Marker is in Arcadia, Missouri, in Iron County. It can be reached from the intersection of Church Street and Spring Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Arcadia MO 63621, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Missouri. 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: General Grant Commission Commemorative (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Arcadia Valley (approx. half a mile away); Russellville Junction (approx. half a mile away); War In The Arcadia Valley (approx. half a mile away); Battle of Pilot Knob (approx. half a mile away); Iron County Courthouse (approx. half a mile away); Iron County Missouri Courthouse Complex (approx. half a mile away); VFW Post 5527 Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arcadia.
More about this marker.
this page online
Also see . . . Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site Map. Missouri State Parks website entry (Submitted on October 26, 2016.)
Photographed by Duane Hall, October 14, 2016
2. Marker in Front of 1923 Fort Hill Memorial Methodist Church
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 27, 2022
3. View of Pilot Knob
Looking north from the marker location. This view demonstrates the importance of Fort Curtis's location respective of the other key features of Arcadia Valley.
Photographed by Garrett Koch, August 10, 2026
4. Fort Curtis Marker - context view between closeup and existing context view
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 659 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 26, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 3. submitted on November 12, 2022, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on August 12, 2026, by Garrett Koch of Saint Louis, Missouri.
