This is the twenty-first article in our series about Ozarks culture and heritage in the counties of Missouri that are part of the Ozarks region. All or parts of 55 counties in Missouri are considered part of the Ozarks. Iron County is located directly north and east of Reynolds County. The largest city and county seat is Ironton. Iron County was officially organized on February 17, 1857, and was named so because of the abundance of iron ore bound in the county, a part of the Lead Belt region in Southeast Missouri.
One of the Missouri Historic Towns, the Explore Ironton website carries the tagline, "Visit the Peaceful Side of the Ozarks." Ephraim Stout built a log cabin in this valley as early as 1805-07 along the creek which still bears his name. There were few settlers over the next three decades. Those that did arrive, were drawn primarily by the abundant buffalo and deer population, but in 1836 things changed. The vast iron ore resources of Iron County were discovered. Mining brought increased numbers of settlers to the region
The region is rich in Missouri Civil War history and sites. The Battle of Pilot Knob and the Fort Davidson State Historical Site are reminders of those important events. The Battle of Pilot Knob was the opening engagement of Price's Missouri Raid, which occurred on September 27, 1864, just outside Pilot Knob in Iron County. Although by more than ten-to-one, the Union defenders managed to repulse repeated Confederate assaults on their works.
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