The Ozarks

[KLSDAD]

I'm going to be in the Springfield area for the next two weeks......specifically Sparta which is 25 miles SE.

I should have time for multiple half day trips and am looking for some relatively obscure spots that you all might recommend or have some info on.

I'll get over to Wilson's Creek....perhaps more than once, but am looking for some alternatives. Something I can do in 3-5 hours including driving.

For example, I've got a couple on my radar pending research on exactly where it is and the significance relative to other possibilities....... Pineville, Forsyth, Clark's Mill, Ft Lawrence/Lawrence Mill and Hartville .

TIA,

Chuck

 

[Borderruffian]

Carthage Missouri in Jasper County has a good museum. Neosho and Newtonia are also realatively close.

 

[TerryB]

In NW Ark you have two battlefields very close together--Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove. Fairly close to Fayetteville.

 

[KLSDAD]

Carthage Missouri in Jasper County has a good museum. Neosho and Newtonia are also realatively close.

I did them both yesterday...

The museum in Carthage is excellent and a must since the driving tour is not interpreted.

Newtonia was also well worth a visit. I got my bearings in Stark City which is just a mile down the road and the focal point for Newtonia II.

Returning to Newtonia, the Ritchie house is to the NE of the curve on Hwy 86........ maps of the old town layout would suggest that it is SW edge of the town but obvioulsly things have changed. There are two very new well done signs next to the house.

 

[KLSDAD]

My dad (who provided some local and family flavor) and I had a nice drive Thursday. First stop was the White River Valley Historical Society in Forsyth. Very worthwhile! Then it was on to:

Rome (Fort Lawrence).... cool bridge but nothing else. I wouldn't recommend exploring private property in that neck of the woods.
Vera Cruz (Clark's Mill)..... mill race is still visible. Post-war cemetery and church too.
Hartville....... on the south side next to the cemetary is a new pavillion with some excellent signage on the battle and Marmaduke's campaign.

More detail on request.

 

[KLSDAD]

I'm headed back in a few weeks......probably the week after Labor Day.

LMK if anybody has acquired any good info since last fall.

 

[Borderruffian]

You might want to checkout this site.

http://www.ozarkscivilwar.org/