Last updated: February 10, 2021
Thing to Do
Tour a Family Farm Turned Field Hospital
NPS
Visit a historic family farm that played a key role in the battle of Wilson’s Creek. Walk the farmsite featuring the park's only surviving structures from the Civil War era -- the Ray farmhouse and stone springhouse.
Enter the one-way tour road loop from the visitor center parking lot. Drive, walk, or bicycle to Stop 2 (Ray House), approximately 1.5 miles. As you travel, watch for a marker on the right at the Ray Cornfield, where U.S. Regulars and Southern troops fought during the battle of Wilson’s Creek. At Stop 2, view the Ray House (exterior) and other sites on what was a prosperous 420-acre farm in 1861. The Ray House is open seasonally for inside guided tours. (Verify tour schedules and availability by calling 417-732-2662.)
On the day of the battle, the Ray family sheltered in the cellar, while farm owner John Ray sat on the front porch and observed part of the battle in his own cornfield. As the fierce fighting wound down, military surgeons turned the Ray house into a makeshift field hospital and the family assisted the wounded. Soldiers brought the body of Union General Nathaniel Lyon to the house and laid it on one of the family's beds for examination.
Directly in front of the house lies the historic Wire Road (Telegraph Road). Stroll through the apple orchard, planted by park staff to demonstrate an heirloom fruit orchard. (The family’s original orchard was on land adjacent to the springhouse.)
To get a closer view of the Ray Springhouse, cross the tour road on foot and walk down the slope northwest of the house. A natural spring still flows from the small stone building where the family preserved milk, cream, butter and other perishables. On the day of the battle and after, the Ray children and slaves owned by the family likely trudged up and down that slope many times to fetch spring water for wounded soldiers being treated at the Ray home. An optional short walk up the hill behind the springhouse will bring you to edge of the Ray Cornfield.
Starting at Stop 2, plan on spending about 30 to 45 minutes for a visit to the Ray House and adjacent sites. Bathroom facilities and water are NOT available at the Ray House or along the tour road or trails. Bathrooms and drinking water are available only at the visitor center, adjacent to the tour road entry gate.
Enter the one-way tour road loop from the visitor center parking lot. Drive, walk, or bicycle to Stop 2 (Ray House), approximately 1.5 miles. As you travel, watch for a marker on the right at the Ray Cornfield, where U.S. Regulars and Southern troops fought during the battle of Wilson’s Creek. At Stop 2, view the Ray House (exterior) and other sites on what was a prosperous 420-acre farm in 1861. The Ray House is open seasonally for inside guided tours. (Verify tour schedules and availability by calling 417-732-2662.)
On the day of the battle, the Ray family sheltered in the cellar, while farm owner John Ray sat on the front porch and observed part of the battle in his own cornfield. As the fierce fighting wound down, military surgeons turned the Ray house into a makeshift field hospital and the family assisted the wounded. Soldiers brought the body of Union General Nathaniel Lyon to the house and laid it on one of the family's beds for examination.
Directly in front of the house lies the historic Wire Road (Telegraph Road). Stroll through the apple orchard, planted by park staff to demonstrate an heirloom fruit orchard. (The family’s original orchard was on land adjacent to the springhouse.)
To get a closer view of the Ray Springhouse, cross the tour road on foot and walk down the slope northwest of the house. A natural spring still flows from the small stone building where the family preserved milk, cream, butter and other perishables. On the day of the battle and after, the Ray children and slaves owned by the family likely trudged up and down that slope many times to fetch spring water for wounded soldiers being treated at the Ray home. An optional short walk up the hill behind the springhouse will bring you to edge of the Ray Cornfield.
Starting at Stop 2, plan on spending about 30 to 45 minutes for a visit to the Ray House and adjacent sites. Bathroom facilities and water are NOT available at the Ray House or along the tour road or trails. Bathrooms and drinking water are available only at the visitor center, adjacent to the tour road entry gate.
Details
Duration
15-45 Minutes
Activity
Self-Guided Tours - Walking
Take a short walk to view a Civil War-era farm house, the historic Wire Road and a demonstration apple orchard. An optional walk on the other side of the tour road will take you to a nearby stone springhouse and a view of the farm's cornfield. The interior of the home is open for guided tours seasonally. Check with park staff in advance for schedules and availability.
Age(s)
All ages are welcome, but children 12 and younger should be accompanied by an adult if participating in the interior tour of the Ray House.
Pets Allowed
Yes with Restrictions
Pets must be on a leash not more than six feet long and are not allowed in buildings (except service animals). Horses are restricted to authorized trails.
Activity Fee
No
Visitors must pay standard park entry fee at visitor center before entering tour road.
Location
Tour Road Stop 2 (Ray House and farm site)
Enter the paved, one-way tour road from the visitor center parking lot. Drive, walk, or bicycle to tour road Stop 2 (Ray House), approximately 1.5 miles.
Reservations
No
Season
Year Round
Tour road and tour stops at points of interest are available year round. Hours for tour road and visitor center vary by season.
Time of Day
Day
Hours for tour road and visitor center vary by season.
Accessibility Information
Parking lot has handicapped parking. Accessible sidewalks lead to some viewpoints and wayside information described in this stop, but not all locations are accessible. A 1/8-mile sloping paved path leading toward the house is wheelchair accessible. The Ray House is open seasonally for inside guided tours, which are wheelchair accessible. (Verify tour schedules and availability in advance by calling 417-732-2662.) Optional ¼-mile walk to the Ray Springhouse is on uneven ground and is not wheelchair accessible. If walking, bicycling, or jogging on the tour road, visitors must use the 6-foot-wide paved pedestrian lane. Bathrooms and drinking water are available only at the visitor center, adjacent to the tour road entry gate.
Tags
- wilson's creek national battlefield
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- wilson's creek
- wire road
- telegraph road
- midwest national parks
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- spring house
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