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

The Arcadia Valley

Battle of Pilot Knob

Photographed by Duane Hall, October 14, 2016

1. Battle of Pilot Knob — The Arcadia Valley Marker

Inscription. The three towns of Arcadia, Ironton, and Pilot Knob are located in the Arcadia Valley. The valley’s iron mining industry helped spur population growth and led the St. Louis & Iron Mt. Railroad to extend its tracks to Pilot Knob in 1858. The strategic nature of the railroad terminus and supply depot then situated in Pilot Knob explains the presence of Union forces in the valley during the Civil War and why the Battle of Pilot Knob was fought.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 37° 37.688′ N, 90° 39.001′ W. Marker is in Pilot Knob, Missouri, in Iron County. It is on N. McCune Street 0.2 miles north of Cedar Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pilot Knob MO 63663, 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: Caledonia—Potosi Road (here, next to this marker); Immanuel Lutheran Church (approx. half a mile away); St. Mary's Catholic Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fort Davidson (approx. ¾ mile away); Pilot Knob Mountain (approx. ¾ mile away); The Doomed Assault

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. ¾ mile away); The Struggle for the Mountains (approx. ¾ mile away); The Moat (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pilot Knob.

More about this marker. The marker is one of 16 Missouri red granite historical markers interpreting the Battle of Pilot Knob and is Marker #16 on the Battle of Pilot Knob Driving Tour. An identical marker is located at the south end of the valley at Arcadia.

Also see . . . Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site. (Submitted on March 2, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Caledonia-Potosi Road and The Arcadia Valley Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, October 14, 2016

2. Caledonia-Potosi Road and The Arcadia Valley Markers

View to southwest from N. McCune Street

Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 391 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 29, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.