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Of the approximate 33,000 cities and towns that make up the United States, just 340 towns were involved in the Civil War. Fredericktown was one of those towns.
Fredericktown was the site of a battle just one mile south of the courthouse. Much of this battlefield remains in farmland. The Missouri DNR Parks Division made a battlefield
highway marker that was erected at the site and dedicated on May the 3rd 2008.
Another bit of history is unique to Fredericktown and only 35 other towns during the Civil War. The 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry had a Bald Eagle mascot named "Old Abe" they carried with them in all of their battles - the first battle being the
Battle of Fredericktown, followed by two others in southeast Missouri and then battles in Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana.
A life-size metal sculpture of "Old Abe" can be found on our courthouse square. This sculpture begins the "War Eagle Trail. We are working with our three sister states to develop a driving tour that will take the tourist from battle to battle.
In 2007, our organization applied for Missouri Department of Economic
Development tax credits through the Neighborhood Assistance Program. These tax credits have enabled us to restore an 1877 house that lies just one block south of the courthouse.
On May 4, 2008 this house was dedicated and opened as the Battle of
Fredericktown Civil War Museum. Exhibits describe the battle here and identify
local soldiers.
We have included unique exhibits that are not just the ordinary facts and figures commonly known about the war.
Completing the museum will be digital recordings of the battle and those
individuals whose names are closely associated with the war.
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