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Battle of Lexington State Historic Site

Park Information

People called Oliver Anderson’s house “the best arranged dwelling house west of St. Louis.” But it became more famous as the center of a bloody three-day Civil War battle in 1861. Walk through the Anderson House at Battle of Lexington State Historic Site and marvel at the bullet holes still in the walls and evidence of the cannon shots. The battlefield is peaceful now, dotted with orchards and gardens, but battle scars remain. A visitor center provides a comprehensive view of the battle that raised Missouri State Guard spirits that the war was winnable and made Unionists in Missouri think twice about whether they could hold the state. The site is located in the town of Lexington and is one of the closest Civil War sites to Interstate 70.

NEW IN 2023: The historic site now offers an electronic off-road track chair that visitors with mobility issues can use on Battlefield Trail and the Anderson House walkway. Click here for more information.

Park Hours

For temporary closures related to weather, stewardship activities and maintenance, as well as temporary trail closures, click here to visit our Park and Site Status Map.


On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and site buildings will be closed: Thanksgiving Day; Nov. 24, 2023; Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; New Year’s Eve; New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincoln’s Birthday; and Presidents Day.  

Historic Site Grounds:

Sunrise to sunset, daily, year-round

Oliver Anderson House hours

Tours (Anderson House and Battlefield)

Summer Hours (On-Season)

  • April through July
    Anderson House tours offered at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday
    Battlefield tours offered at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday
    No tours on Monday
  • August through October
    Anderson House tours offered at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday
    Battlefield tours offered at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday
    No tours on Monday or Tuesday

Winter Hours (Off-Season)

  • November through March
    Tours are by appointment only. No tours Monday or Tuesday.

Tours can be reserved online on our reservation website or by visiting the site. For more information, contact the site at 660-259-4654.

Visitor Center/Historic Site Office hours

April through October (On-Season)

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and holiday Mondays

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday

November through March (Off-Season)

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday

On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and site buildings will be closed: Thanksgiving Day; Nov. 24, 2023; Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; New Year’s Eve; New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincoln’s Birthday; and Presidents Day.