Pilot Knob, Missouri ||| population 671 ||| small town, USA

[@iamgjolly]

Been here and the Shut-ins many times. It's not far from where I grew up and what use to be our family farm. So many great memories. I love my state and my Missouri roots. Our state is full of natural wonders and a rich, wonderful history! Great video!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Right on! 😊

[@angrymandalorian8496]

Same, from Cassville myself. Now I live near K.C. and can’t find a decent place to fish. Used to be able to walk 10 minutes to fantastic fishing. Catch everything. I plan on retiring back to the hills.

[@ricsmith2185]

Great video John! Being born in Georgia and raised in Missouri I always love the Civil War Stories... it was a sad time in our history but it's one of the most important parts of our history.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I was never a huge Civil War buff but in the past couple years I’ve really enjoyed learning more about it and especially visiting the actual sites!

[@daniellilienkamp5202]

The cobble stones from the quarry are still under the pavement in the older parts of St. Louis. You can sometimes see them in places where the asphalt has worn away, especially in the alley. Great video.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Oh wow that’s pretty cool!

[@bubblehed738]

If you like Civil War locations, my hometown of Osceola, MO was a major battle in the "Border Wars" between Missouri and Kansas. In September of 1861, Osceola was burnt to the ground by Union General Jim Lane And his Kansas Jayhawkers because it was a Confederate stronghold. Later the next year, William Quantrill and his raiders burnt Lawrence, KS to the ground in retaliation. The movie "Outlaw Josie Whales" is said to be loosely based on these conflicts. Osceola is very close to Iconium, MO that I have suggested before. Would be a great double feature. You could stay at the Commercial Hotel in downtown Osceola and stay in the same rooms that Harry Truman, Tom Mix, the James Brothers and the Younger Gang slept in.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Sounds very interesting! Thanks for the info/suggestions!

[@Ginger-tu4xp]

My family or burkhart's and we've lived in Osceola a long time

[@Nunzio1911]

Deo Vindici. Proud of my ancestors who fought for Southern Independence.

[@melissah4515]

Missouri is just fascinating geologically and historically, it's a very underrated state IMHO. I was fortunate to grow up there, looking for fossils and arrowheads, crystals. We went to Elephant Rocks SP when I was in school for a field trip, it was so good to see it again. Jon, I had a really long day today but your video recentered me, thank you.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Agreed on how underrated it is! Glad you enjoyed the video - have a great weekend!

[@melissah4515]

Thank you, you too!

[@stevehilliard1495]

Thanks for the refresher on Elephant Rocks and Pilot Knob. Been there many years ago and would recommend the trip to anyone.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I didn’t know anything about it before I arrived to the park. Greta surprise!

[@PrinceMagnum]

My hometown. I graduated from high school there in 1997. Politics has ruined the area, but it's still beautiful country and has a rich history.

[@jamesbednar8625]

Awesome video, sir!!!! Have been to Elephant Rock State Park numerous times while stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, while in the military - just a beautiful location. Have been there in the rain like you, and in snow, sunshine and whatever, always a great adventure. Also, have been to Fort Davidson numerous times as well. Apparently had forgotten about the visitor center for do not really remember that, probably because may have been closed during my visits, or old age. If you go to the town of Frederickown a few miles to the east, there are supposed to be buildings there with actual bullet holes from the Civil War battle that took place there. Also, a few miles to the west would be Taum Sauk Mountain - the highest geographical point in the state of Missouri and the Ozark Trail passes very close to that location. Big THANKS!!! for the video and bringing back some memories - have not been that way in about 12-years or so, looks like I need to pay another visit in the future.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts - very nice! Such an interesting area I had no idea about before exploring. Hope to go back again and see some of those places you mentioned!

[@leannesmith3660]

My husband and I stayed in Pilot Knob overnight on a motorcycle trip. We went to the Civil war area but I did not Google the area. Elephant Rocks looks really interesting. Did the man explain how the munitions were blown up and that is how the crater was created? Good video, John!!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! I can’t remember but I don’t think he said that. Interesting!!

[@daviddemand6856]

That is the reason for that crater. In a reenactment when I was a child they used to blow it at the end with a charge. As some can imagine, the men may have loaded the charge a bit heavy and blew windows out of nearby homes, while setting off car alarms parked nearby. The community is in a bit of a revival following the lockdowns, but was an amazing place in the 80’s to 90’s. When they shut the mining industry down, much of the area suffered due to loss of jobs, which had a larger effect on small businesses.

[@danielmoore7332]

Well Jon, you have more surprises up your sleeve here. My bucket list keeps growing thanks to you & your travelogues. Even is the rain, you showed us something. "That's what he said!"

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! It was definitely a fun place to visit!

[@iamgjolly]

Definitely doesn't disappoint! If you have kids they will love it as well!

[@kamiyamayk.30]

❤ Pilot Knob. Moved here ten years ago. Love it here! Had Battle of Pilot Knob reinactment couple weeks ago. Shook the house!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Oh wow! 😮

[@bigjimslade6250]

Another good video. Enjoyed the visit to the fort. Conventional history doesn’t relate much about how small towns & counties were affected by the Civil War. Border states like Missouri & Kentucky endured on going conflict & depredations from 1861 to 1865. People struggled to maintain their food sources & farms; think of scenes from The Outlaw Josey Wales.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Good stuff - so much interesting history in Missouri!

[@onrycodger]

Wow! What a surprise that must've been. Those massive boulders are awesome. Thumbs up!😎👍

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! Yeah I wasn’t expecting as much as I saw there!

[@ronfullerton3162]

Just part of the joys of exploring with no set itinerary. The discoveries are pure gold, and not always that well visited. Just helps put in icing on any trip . Thanks for taking us along once again on a wonderful trip Mr. Wiseguy! Well worth the price of admission!

[@kenjohnson5498]

When i was a kid my grandpa would take us to his friends house that had those huge rocks in his front yard, it always amazed me how big some of the stones were

[@aliceevans3357]

I really enjoyed this one! But gosh I always enjoy your videos. I would love to walk around that park. I bet you could have stayed there longer. That squeeze was hard on that umbrella 😉 I loved the stone cutter's signatures, what an honor. You could tell that quarry was deep by the color of the water. I've visited a few battlefields in Missouri and Arkansas but not that one. Thanks for taking us there. Stay safe and GOD bless

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I could’ve stayed there all day! Yeah the stone cutter’s names were really neat! I had never heard of that battle - fun day!

[@sternthemern7014]

​@TravelwithaWiseguy I grew up going to that park all the time. Still go time to time in my mid 30s with my family. Thank you for bringing some recognition to it.

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

This looks like a beautiful area. I think Elephant Rocks Park would be really nice in summer, but still pretty in the rain. I've never heard of it before. Lots of history in the Pilot Knob area. Thank you, as always, for the interesting video.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I agree. I’d like to see it in the summertime!

[@bglrj]

That was an unexpected treat! Beautifully written and edited.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you so much! It was a fun and somewhat unexpected morning of exploration!

[@KenBurtner]

What a great tour. This is a place to go visit. Thank you.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Glad you enjoyed it! I did too 😊

[@ronald9279]

Another place I would not have ever seen. If you didn't have me along. Have a great weekend

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! You too!

[@michaelgraves5188]

That’s not too far from S. KC, I really want to fish that quarry. Thanks Coach, this is one of your best vids. You really do a great job with presenting these hidden gems. ❤️🙏😎👍

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much! I had a lot to work with here!

[@dalemitchell2006]

I grew up visiting relatives in Reynolds Missouri. Elephant rocks, fort Davidson, and Johnson shut ins were places we visited and enjoyed every year.

[@elizabethmurray3221]

Rain drops and water trickling was a nice soundtrack to your video. Made it dreamlike. Did she really say that? Hahahaha😂 Sleepwalking in Elephant State Park is not advised!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂😂

[@kenkahre9262]

The handicap markings in front of the park bench meant that it was handicapped accessible. Not all picnic benches are.

[@terriquotskuyva4594]

lol I noticed you didnt film going through the very narrow section of the squeeze. Wow that was a very small space!! As always love all your videos!!! Keep them coming please!!❤❤❤

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha I think I had to reconfigure the umbrella 😂😂 Thank you - this was a fun morning!

[@terriquotskuyva4594]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I hope you realize that you and the rest of my favorite KZbinrs are my only way of adventures and traveling. Go and adventure more !!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😊❤️

[@charityvaughn7841]

That is the remade squeeze ,, i grew up here ,, we have a original, one called fat man squeeze and its way smaller and longer off the trail..i remeber as a kid my gma got sruck in it ,,. Pretty area lots of neat things to do around there .

[@a075923]

one of our favorite parks in Missouri. They used to mine red granite at the back of the park.

[@a075923]

a lot of tombstones are cut in this part of the state.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

That makes sense!

[@bonereaperoutdoormedia9173]

A lot of memories down there.Thanks for sharing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

You bet!

[@2009Berghof]

Last I looked my picture is featured in the gazebo at Elephant Rocks along with members of Company C, 7th Illinois Cavalry taken during on of the battle re-enactments at Pilot Knob decades ago. The fellow on the white horse was Sgt. Mike Taft.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😮

[@sandiewilliams238]

So you got a 2.0 average for Geology? I assume the subsequent Underwater Basket Weaving class helped negate the 2.0. You must have been one of those pampered student athletes I hear so much about! Jus playin! This video was great especially the boulder park. Be good and safe Coach!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha! They didn’t pamper the track athletes like some other sports 😂😂

[@pamelacrowe4971]

Awesome video. Thanks for bringing back great memories for me. Went there with my mom and dad. And brought my grandchildren there when they were younger. Yeah ya have to watch kids there. Haven't been there in over a decade. Thanks

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awesome! It was definitely a cool place to visit!

[@Friedbrain11]

When I was being raised in Missouri, it turned out to be the best time of my life. Wish I was back there. I really miss it.

[@shirleymitchell1277]

If I was still teaching in schools, I would certainly use some of your relevant videos to enhance history lessons. Good job! Hands on is the next best thing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Aww very nice of you to say that 😊

[@travelswithtrigger]

Awesome! I don't know how we missed the old building and tracks at Elephant Rocks as we were there for a couple of hours and thought we saw it all. I guess we'll have to go back!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I felt lucky to have found it!

[@robertreed7963]

I never knew about my first 5 or 6 visits ( although it has a plaque / sign ) It isn't far at all. It is on a spur off from the loop, but only a few hundred feet. I think I always missed it because it is towards the back half / midway point. If your antsy, by that time you have left the paved trail and gone exploring on your own.

[@travelswithtrigger]

We’ll look for it next time to be sure!

[@JA51711]

Thank you. My ancestors fought on the union side in Missouri at pilot knob and I always wanted to visit the area and see the terrain that he rode his horse on when he was in battle. Seeing the railroad tracks also puts into perspective my other ancestor who was working on the rail line of the rail system heading to St Louis from what I understand

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Very cool thanks for sharing!

[@johnharris7353]

Lotta cool stuff in Missouri !

[@michaelpriesendorf9598]

Also just a few miles from there is Tom Sauk mountain. The highest elevation in Missouri.camped up there one night. Beautiful. No info on the explosion at the fort during the battle.

[@foxtrotdeltausn4757]

Im pretty sure the engine house is original. Granite buildings last forever dang near. There are still many houses in the area built similarly and still standing, not to mention all the field stone walls which are older than the engine house and still standing in great condition.

[@roberteshaw9520]

Hey Coach.This could be a good sci fi movie location.I have never seen rocks that are as long as some of these are.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I agree! Would be a cool setting for a movie!

[@juanitagarcia958]

Beautiful park! I'm a huge history fan, so the Civil War information is fascinating 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I agree - such a fascinating and complicated subject to wrap my brain around.

[@jamesgoforth5644]

Missouri is such an underrated state, Its definitely a winner among the so-called flyover states

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Lots of interesting places to visit and explore!

[@kenny4813]

this is my home brother, you should of took a quick hike up into the rocks, there are hieroglyphs from native americans, also those holes you noticed was from drill samples taken back when they was mining the area, that rail road is what they used to haul the meterial to the main train

[@carriemorgan8248]

Thanks for sharing! I need to check this one out!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😎

[@3goldboys]

My grandmother grew up in Pilot Knob!

[@kenkahre9262]

Elephant Rocks is a great place for families of older kids to let go explore and burn off a lot that excess energy that they always seem to have. I've been going there since I was a kid back in the Fifties and its a treasure.

[@sueelliott3206]

Glad you found your way out! LOL I thought about that when I was watching the main video. I can definitely say, I would get lost walking around there. Great video and very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Using the camera got me discombobulated 😊

[@elenamarler5084]

So glad I found this! I am in this area several times a month loved your video! Check out Caledonia too, which is up 21 North of Pilot Knob. Oh, and Johnson Shut Ins. (P.s. the wheel chair mark by picnic tables, if you look, one end of table stick out longer so a wheelchair user has access to the tables.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! Much appreciated!

[@acharyajamesoermannspeaker6563]

I slept on the mountain, and it was great. Make sure to visit the Buddhist monastery nearby.

[@mutterslog785]

Pick your day carefully. In the summer, Elephant Rocks is packed. Tom Sauk, Johnson Shut-Ins and St. Francis are also beautiful parks.

[@thebewitchinghour831]

Very slick rocks in the rain. Not safe to climb onto.

[@gregwatson8216]

Another great location for CW history is Lafayette co. and Ray co. Most. In Lexington they have a canon ball in one of the pillars at the court house. It's just a painted croiuxai ball but the original is at Anderson house. It is a muesem

[@bertholini2810]

Really nice video. Our daughter used to go to Pilot Knob when she was in college (long time ago). Yard work, really warm out. Be good, be safe !!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! Beautiful area to visit!

[@bertholini2810]

This will make you laugh..... Our daughter said, I have almost 60,000 miles on my (we bought it) car. I pulled her butt out of there and looked and it was true (this is in one year). I asked her do you go to college and she said oh yes. I just thought "my word".@@TravelwithaWiseguy

[@mpk2542]

How nice to have a knowledgeable person there like Brick to tell the story.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Agreed!

[@jasonmanley5287]

Elephant Rocks is one of my favorite state parks to visit with a kid in tow. Plenty to do and see! I hope you hit Johnson’s Shut Ins and Tom Sauk mountain while you were in the area. Also great places.

[@kenbarkdoll7252]

Enjoyed this Park and Battle Site. That squease was very narrow for sure.

[@billiegutierrez2506]

Those rocks in that park your walking through remind me of evergreen Colorado my uncle use to live there and as kids we romp around through the hills and play on those rocks what great memories that place looks like a lot of fun where you are what an adventure ❤

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It was very interesting and a lot of fun to walk around!

[@Mikell-h2c]

Cool rock park ❤

[@hikergirly]

Re the outtake - Missouri has a great state park system that includes disabled access for picnic tables, fishing, birdwatching etc. So that symbol you saw was not for parking. There is also a Braille trail at Elephant Rocks. Love the video! There is also a Civil War reenactment at Pilot Knob this coming September.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks for the info!

[@RayDouglas-zz6nn]

The Iron County Courthouse has a cannonball lodged in one of its walls from the Battle of Pilot Knob.

[@egyptwns89_26]

You should check out the reenactments at Pilot Knob. It's bigger than the Rendezvous but I believe it's equally important.

[@joec4765]

Great video, very informative and i appreciate that allot

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Glad you enjoyed it thanks!

[@edwardmix9656]

a small town in Mo. I would look more towards Neck City & Cossville just north of Joplin!

[@michaelcagle5938]

Born in Nevada MO. Grew up in Pleasant Hill and live in Excelsior Springs. It seems like every Missouri town I come across has some minor nugget of history to it. Everyone who likes Midwestern history should visit the Steamboat Arabia Museum at the River Market in Kansas City. Well worth the small entry fee.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Agreed!

[@robertfrisby9182]

I heard its called that because the awesome rocks look like Elephants in the fog by the people that discovered the area

[@franciswilliams5275]

It has been several years since I have been there, but it is a really cool place. You should look at visiting Hartvile and Mansfield Missouri at some point.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[@tinman7130]

Can you imagine running the cross country team thru the that park? get their attention, although probably best on a dry day. interesting video

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

That would be a fun run!

[@TiredMomma]

When I was last there, it was gravel paths. If you had followed the rails, last I remember, there should still be a railcar on the tracks, unless vandals have taken away more metal from it. That last part 😂

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

That would’ve been cool. 😎 😜

[@ldyvic]

Have you been to Rock City, KS? It is a out 3.50 hours north of Witchita. It was an ocean at one point so all the rocks are round.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I have but it has been years. Very cool place I’ll go back someday!

[@lindastepp9842]

Absolutely unique , thank you very much for all you video for your viewers . Tag along 71 ☺️

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It was an unexpected surprise to find both the park and Brick!

[@artmosley3337]

I was Shocked when I went to Colorado and ALL The State Parks charged $$$ too!!!! Im from St Louis, We went on Field Trips to Elephant Rocks, Johnson Shutins, Rockwood Reservation, even to Meramac Caverns Cave .. It was called Jesse James Hideout, but the owner was sued by the decedents…😂😂😂😂.. the Ozarks are the OG of Mountains… those rocks are what is leftover from a mountain range that was taller than the Rockies ..

[@naomioconnor4107]

More fun when lots of young are climbing all over those rocks.

[@cindykeathley1705]

Grew up 45 miles southwest of there on black river

[@heidimartin6711]

Very informative and fascinating history for this part of Missouri ❤. We have family down here, its such a beautiful area in the Fall season with the St. Francois mountains popping in Fall season colors 🍂🍁 Good times with the Arcadia Valley Mountain music festival held every May and October in nearby Ironton, Missouri. Please come back in the Fall with your drone ❤

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you and would love to!

[@MrBonney1990]

Yeah, it just bubbled up from beneath huh?..calling BS… Nice find Brother!

[@JaniceStewart863]

Really interesting video.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Even though it was rainy I had fun!

[@Taintlessdisc]

Elephant rocks is worth visting no matter where ur from js theres also a quarry nearby keep ur kids in sight and the rocks have some risky spots so beware its not ur normal walk in the park😂 plenty of paved path to stay on if ur less capable of off road travel on foot tho.

[@Striker9]

I wish i could remember whether it was Mark Twain Lake or Hannibal where I got to see battle scars up on the structure over water. Nothing that cool in Mexico and i don't get to travel often but i want to see that again now im older and understand what actually happened a little better. If you ever come through Mexico, come say hi 😅

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks!

[@DanielLogan-s9n]

I can't swear to it but I do believe that the old ruins of the engine house are actually the original building. That's all that's still standing

[@bubblehed738]

My G-G-Grandfather was General Sterling Price.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Oh wow 😮

[@RayDouglas-zz6nn]

Really? That’s cool.

[@Dills1995]

I wonder how many Pilot Knobs there are in America? We have one here in Austin,TX. An ancient volcano. They recently built a Formula one race track next to it.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Doing a quick search looks like about a half dozen! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilot_Knob

[@charlesyell6318]

Man that is so awesome . I would love to see that in person. What is the nearest town to get a hotel in.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I stayed in a nice hotel in Pilot Knob!

[@johnhammack671]

Grew up around elephant rocks before it became a park ,

[@philipbeck5815]

I live here in the Arcadia valley which includes Pilot Knob. We love it! Visit us…♥️🇺🇸

[@Tom-c6k4b]

Check out pickle springs Park and hawk state parks

[@LeasaParker]

that is the original train house.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Very cool 😎

[@randallthedestroyer6061]

You should go to bald knob Arkansas

[@tesseagles8334]

You go through towns but some you never show. Like Gilbert. You drive in and comment on it I was kinda puzzled

[@meghan7547]

It is totally legal to fly the Confederate Battle Flag on "private" property in the state of Missouri.

[@mikehalpinjr]

The engine house is all original, not redone

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Very cool 😎

[@Ramcharger85]

❤

[@williamlovely450]

love you

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

♥️

[@azstarbar]

By any chance did you go check out Johnson Shut-ins? If not, you should!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I did not. Was only there a few hours and had to head out.

[@monkeyhaters9258]

My ex mother-in-law carved her name up on top of the big rock ,, It's the one that looks like a giant butt crack🙄😖😬

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂

[@kenny4813]

a kid died jumping off the cliff, now swimming is no longer allowed there =(

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Very sad. I can see how it would happen.

[@Tom-c6k4b]

Elephant rocks are not in pilot knob Missouri

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

4 miles away. And it’s the closest town to stay if you want to visit.

[@maddog6542]

People fly confederate flags all over that area. They definitely think of themselves as southerners in SE MO.

[@eloisefranecki]

😏 "promosm"

[@dnjones3685]

You missed so much

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

The rain hindered my day. But what else did I miss since it was SO much 😂😂

[@stevehilliard1495]

@@TravelwithaWiseguyOne thing I learned about and remember was how they drilled holes in the rock,they trapped water and when it froze it would fracture the rock into slabs that would be carved by the stone masons

[@dnjones3685]

The one ridge you showed looked like taumsauk. If so right over the hill is a great waterfall. Or Johnson shutins and many more places. Your video was great. I enjoyed it thank you.

[@ronfullerton3162]

​@@stevehilliard1495Exactly why upper Midwest roads and streets are so horrible this time of year. Freezing water has lots of power. Engine blocks without antifreeze have been cracked open. Mother Nature never fails to surprise us with her abilities.

[@Scott.Newmaster]

Uhh, about that 'she said' naw, I'm not buying it.... nice try....

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I’m guessing that joke from the office went over your head 😂

[@Scott.Newmaster]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Wasn't sure, took a shot.

[@dylwes]

Check out frank deloge house in stlouis. The pink granite staircase came from elephant rock. Lots of pink granite throughout his stlouis French chateau themed house.