Park Hills mine museum, Pilot Knob historical site holding Saturday events

Among several events planned for the weekend, mine workers of Missouri’s Old Lead Belt region will be honored at an event being held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Missouri Mines State Historic Site, 4000 State Highway 32, in Park Hills. (File photo)

Old Mine Open House, Ewing’s Retreat Auto Tour provide color to local history

Two Missouri State Parks sites are providing Parkland residents with opportunities on Saturday to learn about the Civil War battle in Pilot Knob and about Lead Belt mining history.

Mining History, Park Hills

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the public is invited to honor mine workers of Missouri’s Old Lead Belt region at the Missouri Mines State Historic Site in Park Hills.

Retired miners and other lead company workers are invited to attend the event, meet with others and visit with attendees about their experiences.

There will also be activities for the kids, including a mineral identification sand table and a mine car shovel contest. Storyteller Eric Haynes will present a special program.

The event takes place at the site’s Powerhouse Museum, which will be open for free guided tours on the hour from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Visitors can also explore the exhibits on their own.

The historic site is located at 4000 State Highway 32 in Park Hills.

Auto Tour, Ewing’s Retreat

Visitors to the Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site often ask questions about what happened after the Battle of Pilot Knob and the subsequent escape of the Union forces.

The retreat from the fort has been of interest for a long time, and in 1995, a map was developed for people interested in learning more. This map is available to the public.

Starting at 8:30 a.m., motorists can follow interpreters along the route taken by the retreating Union forces and learn about the retreat and several points of interest along the way. The tour will travel the route from the historic site to Leasburg, stopping at interpretation points.

Lunch is on everyone’s own in Sullivan. The tour will return to the site via Highway 185, stopping at Potosi to interpret General Shelby’s activities, which were occurring at the same time as the battle. Each party will follow the lead car in procession, moving from each stop to the next.

Two, 10-person vans for seniors and others who would like to attend but are unable to drive the tour themselves are available. Call 573-546-3454 or email bryan.bethel@dnr.mo.gov to reserve a van spot or RSVP for the tour.

The Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site is located at 118 E. Maple in Pilot Knob. The day’s schedule is:

• • 8:30 a.m. – Get organized and hand out maps and van assignments.
  • 9 a.m. – Leave Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site.
  • 9:20 a.m. – Arrive at Caledonia. Stop at city fairgrounds on Webster Road to interpret the interaction between Confederate Gen. Joseph O. Shelby’s cavalry and Union Gen. Thomas Ewing’s command.
  • 9:30 a.m. – Proceed to Palmer on Highway Z.
  • 10 a.m. – Arrive at Palmer. Stop at Palmer church and spring. Interpret rest stop and massacre of six militia men left at the town. Proceed to Palmer Cemetery to visit graves of Civil War veterans.
  • 10:30 a.m. – Proceed to Huzzah Conservation Area.
  • 11:30 a.m. – Arrive at Huzzah Conservation Area. Stop at the shooting range parking lot to interpret the retreat up the Huzzah Valley into the town of Leasburg. Proceed to Leasburg.
  • Noon – Arrive at Leasburg. Interpret the battle and the relief from Union forces arriving from Rolla.
  • 12:30 p.m. – Proceed to Sullivan for lunch.
  • 1-2 p.m. – Eat lunch.
  • 2 p.m. – Proceed to Potosi via Highway 185.
  • 2:40 p.m. – Arrive at Potosi. Stop at Walmart parking lot and interpret the activities of Gen. Shelby in Potosi as the battle was going on in Pilot Knob. Proceed back to Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site.
  • 3:30 p.m. – Arrive at Battle of Pilot Knob and conclude the program.

The Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site is located at 118 E. Maple in Pilot Knob. (File photo)