Ironton in Iron County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Ironton Gap

Battle of Pilot Knob

— September 26, 1864, 2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. —

Photographed by Duane Hall, October 14, 2016

1. Battle of Pilot Knob — Ironton Gap Marker

Inscription. Ironton Gap, about a quarter mile wide, separates Shepherd and Pilot Knob mountains and divides Arcadia Valley into northern and southern halves. Through the gap passed the road which connected the villages of Pilot Knob and Ironton. Cabell’s brigade, positioned in the center of the rebel line, launched three charges on Ft. Davidson from Knob Creek, which flows through the gap.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 27, 1864.

Location. 37° 36.599′ N, 90° 37.773′ W. Marker is in Ironton, Missouri, in Iron County. It is on N. Main Street 0.1 miles north of Valley Street (County Road 42), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ironton MO 63650, 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: Shepherd Mountain (approx. half a mile away); Knob Creek (approx. 0.8 miles away); Iron County - The "Birthplace of 4-H" in Missouri (approx. 0.8 miles away); VFW Post 5527 Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Iron County Missouri Courthouse Complex (approx. 0.8 miles away); Iron County Courthouse (approx. 0.8 miles away); Battle of Pilot Knob (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Pilot Knob (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ironton.

More about this marker.

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The marker is one of 16 Missouri red granite historical markers interpreting the Battle of Pilot Knob and is Marker #7 on the Battle of Pilot Knob Driving Tour.

Also see . . . Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site. Missouri State parks website entry (Submitted on October 27, 2016.)

Ironton Gap with Shepherd Mountain (on left) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, October 14, 2016

2. Ironton Gap with Shepherd Mountain (on left)

View to northwest from N. Main Street, Ironton

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 27, 2022

3. Ironton Gap

Knob Creek passes through Ironton Gap, which allows passage from the town of Pilot Knob to Ironton. Shepherd Mountain is on the left, with Pilot Knob just out of view on the right. Today a railroad line runs through the gap next to Missouri Highway 21. Main Street (to the right of this view, on which the marker is located) follows the course of the wartime road passing through the gap.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 417 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 27, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 3. submitted on November 13, 2022, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.