Bloomfield Historical Markers

Explore a series of informative markers that document the rich history and Civil War involvement of Bloomfield and Stoddard County. These markers are strategically located throughout the downtown area and its surroundings.

Markers of Interest:

• Stoddard County Historical Marker
  A cast aluminum marker located in Bloomfield City Park (Park Lake Drive and Crowley Ridge Drive) details the history and geography of Stoddard County.
• General Davidson’s Cavalry
  Positioned in Bloomfield City Park across from the large pavilion, this cast aluminum marker recounts the story of 6,000 Union cavalrymen who waited in Bloomfield for over a week for orders to advance into Arkansas and capture Little Rock (Park Lane Drive and Crowley Ridge Drive).
• First Stoddard County Courthouse Marker
  A Missouri red granite monument at 507 Spring St. describes the first county government and lists its officials.
• Mutiny in Bloomfield
  This marker commemorates the Union officers’ mutiny on October 22, 1863, against their commanding officer, Major Sam Montgomery (201 Center St.).
• First Stars & Stripes Newspaper
  A cast aluminum marker on the west lawn of the Stoddard County Government Building (401 S. Prairie St.) recounts the history of the first issue of the military newspaper, The Stars and Stripes, and is sponsored by the Missouri Press Association.
• Civil War in Bloomfield
  A table-type marker located on the Old Courthouse lawn (316 S. Prairie St.) describes the impact of the Civil War on the community.
• Major Amos Stoddard Marker
  This cast aluminum marker on the Old Courthouse lawn features a biographical sketch of Major Amos Stoddard, the American patriot for whom the county is named (316 S. Prairie St.).
• Stoddard County War Memorial Markers
  Three Missouri red granite markers on the southeast corner of the Old Courthouse lawn (316 S. Prairie St.) list over 200 Stoddard County war dead from WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
• Minton Brothers Aboard the C.S. Arkansas / The Death of Captain Tom Walker
  A cast aluminum marker located on the north lawn of the Stoddard County Courthouse (316 S. Prairie St.) details the Minton brothers’ involvement and the death of Captain Tom Walker.
• Execution of Asa V. Ladd
  Another cast aluminum marker on the north lawn of the Stoddard County Courthouse (316 S. Prairie St.) commemorates one of six Confederate POWs executed in St. Louis by order of Union Maj. Gen. Rosecrans.
• Bloomfield Academy
  Located near the intersection of Missouri Street and School Street, this cast aluminum marker marks the site of the Bloomfield Academy (built 1860-61), which was used as a hospital by the Missouri State Guard and later as barracks by the 1st Wisconsin Cavalrymen (404 W. Missouri St.).
• The Civil War Hospitals of Bloomfield
  This marker (303 N. Prairie) is situated at the site of Major Henry Bedford’s home, one of several hospitals in Bloomfield during the Civil War. Major Bedford was an officer in the Missouri State Guard.
• Fatal Tree
  A cast aluminum marker describes a tree used for hangings during the Civil War, featuring a sketch drawn by a Wisconsin soldier. Parking is permitted in the Southern Bank parking lot (intersection of Routes 25 and E).

These markers collectively offer a profound insight into the historical significance of Bloomfield and Stoddard County during the Civil War era.