Fort Benton Named to National Register Wayne Countians have long recognized that Fort Benton is an important historic treasure. Now, it has been recognized as a national treasure. The earthen Civil War fort, which is located on a hillside overlooking Patterson, was listed Monday, Oct. 21, on the National Register of Historic Places. It was named a State Historic Site in May 2001. The Wayne County Historical Society was notified of the listing last week. Historical Society president Linda Lunyou received a telephone call from Steve Mitchell, assistant director of the Missouri Historic Preservation Department. The local Historical Society plans to hold a dedication ceremony in the future to officially mark the fort's new status. Lunyou says no date has been set for the ceremony. According to Rose Fulton Cramer's book The History of Wayne County, the fort served as the Union army headquarters in the area. It was also important because it was between the end of the Iron Mountain railroad at Pilot Knob and important towns in Arkansas. By having Fort Benton named an historic site, it ensures the property will be preserved. "No one will be able to destroy it," says Lunyou. "They will also not be able to diminish the fort's historic worth by building near it or digging in it." The Historical Society has been working for about six years to preserve the fort. First, they had a fund-raising drive in order to raise money to purchase the 30 acres of land on which the fort is located. After buying the land, they started working to get it listed as an historic site. "Now that we've accomplished this, the work isn't done," Lunyou said. "It is just beginning. We have many plans." A group of 25 people gathered at Fort Benton Saturday morning to help with a work project. Lunyou says the project was held in conjunction with Prudential Insurance's Global Volunteer Day. The Historical Society coordinated the project with local Prudential agent Debbie Lunyou. "Our project was from 8:30 to 1 p.m.," Lunyou explains. "When we finished, we had lunch at the site." Armed with chain saws and limb cutters, volunteers worked to create a wide walking trail. Several trees were removed. The downed trees were cut up for fire wood and given to some of the workers. "The Royal Rangers made a trail a few years ago," Lunyou explained. "It had grown up. Our project was to remove the undergrowth and widen the path." This is just one of many projects and improvements planned for Fort Benton. "We plan to make the fort into a park," Lunyou explained. An interpretive sign explaining the history of Fort Benton will be erected at some point in the future." "We also want to connect Fort Benton with the other Civil War forts in the region," Lunyou continued. "We would like for Fort Benton to become a tourist attraction." Long range goals include building a museum somewhere in the Patterson area to house artifacts from the Civil War and from Wayne County's history. The Historical Society also wants to create an historic district in Patterson. Wayne County's Historical Society has a small museum now. It is located on the second flood of the old school in Patterson. Officials say a new, larger museum would meet their needs and be more accessible to the public. The Historical Society says it would like to have a building that is handicap accessible and one that enables the climate to be regulated to preserve artifacts. Museum items need to be kept at a constant temperature. Fort Benton was built in March 1861 on Fort Hill in Patterson. Today the fort is heavily overgrown with brush and small trees. A dirt road winds its way around the hill to the fort. The road is part of the old military road. It is basically a big hole in the ground. The fort was dug by Union soldiers. They would dig the dirt and throw it over their shoulders until they had a pile of dirt high enough to make a wall. The inside berm was higher than the outer wall. Officials say it is in a good state of preservation. It has been said it is in as good of shape as Fort Davidson in Pilot Knob. During the Civil War, the hillside was not covered with trees. The hill had been cleared to provide a better field of view. From the fort, the soldiers had a view from each direction. Fort Benton is relatively small. The fort is approximately 100 square feet. There was a garrison of about 60 men, the Third Missouri Calvary, Missouri State Militia, at Fort Benton at all times. All of the troops were not at the fort at one time. They camped on the ground where the Patterson Community Center is now located. At times there were as many as 600 Union troops garrisoned at the fort. Their parade grounds were located where the cemetery is now. Two battles and several skirmishes were fought at the fort. Several famous and infamous names are associated with activities that occurred at the fort. Captain W.T. Leeper led many of the patrols and expeditions from the fort. Confederate General Sterling Price's name is also connected with Fort Benton. He led one of the raids on the fort in 1864. The first Battle of Patterson was fought in April 1861. Union Colonel Edwin Smart was forewarned of a large-scale Confederate calvary raid, commanded by General John S. Marmaduke. Colonel Smart was able to load wagons with weapons, equipment and provisions. He set fire to what could not be hauled away and escaped to Pilot Knob. The second battle of Patterson was fought Sept. 22, 1864. A strong Confederate force attacked and destroyed much of the town, including the fort. Confederate General Joseph Shelby wrote in his report about the battle, "I pushed on then rapidly for Patterson, destroying on the way the bloody rendezvous of the notorious (Captain) Leeper, and on the morning of the 22nd I surrounded and charged in upon the town. Its garrison, hearing of my advance, retreated hastily but not before many were captured and killed, and some supplies were taken. All of the government part of Patterson was destroyed, together with its strong and ugly fort." Fort Benton is not the only site in Patterson that the Historical Society wants to preserve. They want to create an historic district that will include 15 sites. Areas targeted include the Union Army parade grounds, the crossroads area, The Wayne County Historical Society building, the William Patterson home, the Veterans' Memorial, the Old Presbyterian Church, "Mom's Farm," the Bank of Patterson, Isbell's Store, and Adams Hotel. http://www.waynecojournalbanner.com/Story%203.html Desoto Joe/The Record Man