Lexington is in western Missouri, about forty miles east of Kansas City. It is home to the Battle of Lexington State Historic Site and Wentworth Military Academy and College, the oldest military school west of the Mississippi River. Lexington was founded near William Jack’s Ferry in 1822, and named for the Revolutionary War Battle of Lexington. In 1823, Lexington became the county seat. Lexington was the site of two large battled during the American Civil War. Also known as the Battle of the Hemp Bales, the first Battle of Lexington occurred on September 12, 1861, when approximately 12,00 Confederate troops under Major General Sterling Price of the Missouri State Guard attacked a Union garrison headquartered in the old Masonic College, commanded by Colonel James A. Mulligan, using hemp bales as a moving breastworks as they advanced. Colonel Mulligan surrendered on September 20. The second Battle of Lexington also involved General Price, during his Missouri Expedition on October 19, 1864. Major General William S. Rosecrans, commanding the Department of the Missouri, hoped to trap the Confederates as they marched along the Missouri River in a pincer movement, but his plan depended on Kansas militia who refused to enter Missouri. General Blunt’s 1st Division of the Army of the Border did set out for Lexington, and were attacked by Confederates just outside of town, pushing Union troops through the town and along the Independence Road until night came. Both battles were Confederate victories. Lexington was also a center for Quantill’s Raiders during the war, and afterward. Two months after the war, many of these guerrillas sought to take advantage of a Federal amnesty that was offered but as they rode into Lexington under a white flag, they were fired upon by Union soldiers, and Jesse James was wounded in the right lung. Prominent before the war, Lexington never regained its status, and was replaced by Kansas City as the most important city in western Missouri.
Recommended Resources
The family owned and operated auctioneer service is based in Lexington, Missouri. The auction center is highlighted, with a schedule of auctions, an overview of its services, and introduction to the auction team.
http://adkins-auction-service.com/
Battle of Lexington State Historic Site
Headquartered around Oliver Anderson’s house, which was the center of a three-day Civil War battle in 1861, the historic site in Lexington, Missouri is featured. Visitors can walk through the home and surrounding battlefield. Park hours, directions, a site map, plans, and video are available.
https://mostateparks.com/park/battle-lexington-state-historic-site
The first Civil War Battle of Lexington took place September 18-20, 1861, and was also known as the Battle of the Hemp Bales. The history and statistics surrounding the battle are presented, with photographs and links to additional resources.
http://www.civilwaralbum.com/misc/lexington1.htm
The 2,100 acre family owned ranch currently offers about seventy miles of trails for novice or extreme horse riders, as well as recreational vehicle spaces and amenities for campers, an event barn, outdoor lighted area, and horse boarding stable. An overview of the facilities, calendar of events, and pricing are posted.
http://bigriverranchtrailriding.com/
Located on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River in Lafayette County, Lexington was platted in 1822 and named the county seat the following year. The city’s history and a profile of the community is presented on the official municipal web site, with administrative and departmental contacts, a calendar of events, and a guide to local churches, schools, attractions, and businesses.
http://www.lexingtonmo.com/
Located on South Business Highway 13 in Lexington, Missouri, the flower shop offers a variety of floral arrangements, live plants, gift baskets, and other items, which are available at the store or for online purchase, with local delivery. Its hours of operation are published to the site.
http://www.floristlexingtonmo.com/
Lafayette Regional Health Center
Associated with HCA Midwest Health network, the Lexington, Missouri hospital features a 25-bed acute care facility, a full range of general and laparoscopic services, and nearly twenty medical specialties, as well as 24/7 emergency services. A list of affiliated doctors and an overview of its services and locations are put forward.
http://lafayetteregionalhealthcenter.com/
Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is a not-for-profit membership organization made up of business owners and others in the Lexington, Missouri region. An overview of the Chamber, member benefits, policies, and meeting schedules are posted, along with a guide to economic development efforts in the region.
http://www.historiclexington.com/
Lexington Auditorium & Civic Center
The Municipal Auditorium in Lexington, Missouri once served as a community center with five theaters, hosting dances, fairs and youth activities, but was closed in 2009 due to a lack of handicap facilities and outdated utilities. This site offers information and updates about a project to renovate the facility, creating a modern-day meeting place and event center.
http://www.lexingtonciviccenter.org/
Serving the Lexington, Missouri region, Lexington Fire & Rescue is a combination emergency services department that provides fire protection, ambulance services, rescue, hazardous materials responses, and other services to a fifty-five square mile area of Lafayette County. Its organizational structure, a hydrant map, and an overview of its apparatus and training programs are featured.
http://www.lexingtonfire.net/
With the designator 4K3, the public airport is located three miles northwest of Lexington, Missouri. AirNav offers information about airport operations and communications, services, and runway information. Airport operational statistics and instrument procedures are included.
http://www.airnav.com/airport/4K3/
Headquartered in Lexington, Missouri, the public school system operates an early childhood center, as well as Leslie Bell Elementary School, Lexington Middle School, Lexington High School, and Lex La-Ray Technical Center, each of which are highlighted here, along with a district calendar, faculty and staff directory, and student handbooks.
http://www.lexington.k12.mo.us/
Presbyterian Disciples Church of Lexington, Missouri
Meeting in the former First Presbyterian building on Franklin Avenue, the congregation is a joint fellowship of the former First Presbyterian and Disciples of Christ churches. A history of the two churches and their merger is presented, along with an overview of its regular programs and services, outreach activities, and preschool.
http://www.pdclexmo.com/
Established in 2004, the independent bookstore serves the city of Lexington, Missouri, located in an 1880s building, and offering a large selection of general interest books, Civil War history, toys and games, as well as an espresso bar. An overview of the building and store is put forward, including its hours of operation, calendar of events, and book groups.
http://www.river-reader.com/
Situated in the heart of Lexington, Missouri, the building was constructed in 1908 on the site of a late 1800s hotel that had burned to the ground and, after serving several other purposes, it now offers four guest suites on the second floor, with retail stores on the first floor. The accommodations are described in detail, and reservations may be made from the site.
http://www.lexingtonrivertowninn.com/
Trinity United Church of Christ
Founded in 1877, Trinity UCC is located at the corner of 14th and Franklin streets in Lexington, Missouri. Directions, worship services, a calendar of programs and events, information about its educational offerings, photographs, and leadership contacts are included.
http://www.trinityucclexington.org/
Maintained by the Lexington Tourist Bureau, the site focuses on attractions, dining facilities, guest accommodations, and activities in Lexington, Missouri. A downloadable tour map and audio tours are also available, along with features events and contacts.
http://www.visitlexingtonmo.com/
Wentworth Military Academy & College
The private four-year college preparatory high school and military junior college is located in Lexington, Missouri. The oldest military academy west of the Mississippi River, its campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its accreditation status, courses, schedules, and an online application are featured.
http://wma.edu/
