Pea Ridge Visit?

[Jantzen]

Hey everyone,

I have a family reunion later this month down in the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. I was planning on visiting Wilson's Creek (which I've done before) but haven't decided whether to make a "detour" and include Pea Ridge/Elkhorn Tavern. I've read Shea and Hess's book and looked at the NPS site, but would be interested in any "first hand"accounts. Thanks in advance!

 

[bama46]

If you get as close as Wilson's Creek, then you must go on down to Pea Ridge. You will not be disappointed... there is a current thread on the place right now

 

[Borderruffian]

If you're going now take plenty of Deep Woods OFF and water. Pea Ridge NMP is perhaps the best preserved as far as how the land actually was at the time and the staff is excellent. Everyone with an interest in the ACW in general and the Trans-Miss in particular should visit it.

 

[CWNurse]

Hey everyone,

I have a family reunion later this month down in the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. I was planning on visiting Wilson's Creek (which I've done before) but haven't decided whether to make a "detour" and include Pea Ridge/Elkhorn Tavern. I've read Shea and Hess's book and looked at the NPS site, but would be interested in any "first hand"accounts. Thanks in advance!

You would not be disssapointed in going. While you're there , you may want to travel on to Crystal Bridges Musuem in Bentonville. They did have some CW art work on display, however, I 'm not sure it it's still there. But , you can check the web site. They also have this really cool library....I got to check out some old books one time that had been written during CW time....really neat place to get lost in while it's hot....

 

[Georgia Sixth]

Hey everyone,

I have a family reunion later this month down in the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. I was planning on visiting Wilson's Creek (which I've done before) but haven't decided whether to make a "detour" and include Pea Ridge/Elkhorn Tavern. I've read Shea and Hess's book and looked at the NPS site, but would be interested in any "first hand"accounts. Thanks in advance!

Hate to clutter your schedule, but if you're going to Pea Ridge, then you should go to Prairie Grove too. It's very close by. As Pea Ridge solidified the Union hold on Missouri, so did Pea Ridge on the northern half of Arkansas. It was every bit as big a battle. It's a state-owned site, not NPS, so the funds for upkeep are lower. But it's an easy battle to visit. Pretty much took place on one hill. A brutal slugfest.

 

[damYankee]

I went to Pea Ridge NMP five years ago and loved it. The visitor center is very nice, there is a theater there that shows a documentary film about the battle. Then there is a 19 mile loop, a one way road that will take you on a loop that takes you around the entire battlefield, there are pullouts with signs at each one explaining what event took place at that pullout. It all takes you to Elkhorn Tavern. As others point out all is well preserved. I spent five hours there by myself, as my great great grandfather was at that battle and I had heard stories as a child told to me by his son, my great grandfather it really hit home.

 

[bama46]

I went to Pea Ridge NMP five years ago and loved it. The visitor center is very nice, there is a theater there that shows a documentary film about the battle. Then there is a 19 mile loop, a one way road that will take you on a loop that takes you around the entire battlefield, there are pullouts with signs at each one explaining what event took place at that pullout. It all takes you to Elkhorn Tavern. As others point out all is well preserved. I spent five hours there by myself, as my great great grandfather was at that battle and I had heard stories as a child told to me by his son, my great grandfather it really hit home.

is that road really 19 miles... seemed shorter, but took us all day and part of the next!

 

[jessgettysburg1863]

Hope you have a good time.

 

[Appalachian American]

I'd go to Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove as well as Wilson's Creek but it has been mighty hot here lately like it is everywhere else.

 

[Jantzen]

Thanks, everyone, for the great ideas. I'll report back in when I get back - er . . . unless the heat, ticks etc get me!

 

[damYankee]

is that road really 19 miles... seemed shorter, but took us all day and part of the next!

I checked out the website, you are correct it covers 7 miles. Take your time and it will feel like it's 19 miles!
http://www.nps.gov/peri/index.htm