Fort Davidson State Historic Site
| Ft. Davidson State Historic Site | |
| Missouri State Historic Site | |
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| Country | United States |
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| State | Missouri |
| County | Iron County |
| City | Pilot Knob |
| Coordinates | 37°37′11″N 90°38′24″W / 37.61972°N 90.64000°W |
| Area | 77.19 sq mi (200 km2) |
| State acquisition | 1968 |
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| Website: Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site | |
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Fort Davidson
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Tents at the Fort Davidson Living History event, September 30, 2006
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| Location | Pilot Knob, Missouri |
| Built | 1863 |
| Architect | Davidson, Gen. J.W. |
| NRHP Reference # | 70000332 |
| Added to NRHP | February 26, 1970 |
Fort Davidson was the site of the Battle of Fort Davidson during the American Civil War. The site is protected as Ft. Davidson State Historic Site, part of the Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site in Pilot Knob, Missouri, managed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Fort Davidson was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
The fort has the name of John Davidson, a Unites States general.
The earthworks of the fort are still generally intact, surrounding the huge hole that was caused by the powder explosion. Following the battle, the Confederates held the field and were therefore responsible for burying the dead. One of the rifle pits was accordingly selected for use as a mass grave. Although the exact number of Confederate casualties are unknown, park historians estimate that total Southern casualties were approximately 1,000. This compares to 200 Union casualties, 28 of which were killed. The mass grave is now marked by a granite monument.
A museum and interpretive center features a 25-minute film about the battle as well as a 15-minute audio-visual display of the battle in miniature. Displays include artifacts from the battle and from the Civil War in general.
One side of Fort Davidson as seen today. The crater from the powder magazine blast is visible on the right. Pilot Knob is the hill at the back.
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