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The Battle of Lexington and the Anderson House

The September 1861 Battle of Lexington and the Anderson House anchor Lafayette County's place in Missouri's divided Civil War history, and Battle of Lexington State Historic Site interprets it on the ground

In September 1861, a Civil War battle was fought at Lexington. It took place on the bluffs (high ground) above the Missouri River. Both sides wanted to control the river and decide which side Missouri would take. Missouri was a border state, and it was deeply split. That split ran right through families and neighbors here. The Anderson House is a brick mansion in town. It changed hands during the fighting and was used as a field hospital, a place to treat wounded soldiers. The house still stands today. You can visit it at Battle of Lexington State Historic Site, run by Missouri State Parks. The real value is understanding this history, not big “turning point” talk. For the facts, trust Missouri State Parks and the State Historical Society of Missouri. Always confirm dates, troop details, and the outcome with an official source instead of local stories.

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Where this fits: this note belongs to Lafayette County. See every local note for the county on its page.

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