The Anderson House in Lexington sits quietly on a hilltop overlooking the Missouri River Valley below. During the Civil War the house experienced anything but quiet when it became embroiled in a battle that raged around it for three days.

The Battle of Lexington State Historic Site contains the Anderson House which became a Union field hospital during the 1861 battle. The house, built in 1853, changed hands three times during the battle and its exterior brick walls are still pockmarked by shot and shell.

The site, managed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, also contains much of the original battlefield and a visitor's center and museum tells the story of the battle in detail along with information on the pivitol role Missouri played in the Civil War.

The grounds are open daily, year-round from sunrise to sunset and include a self-guided walking tour which takes visitors to key locations of the battle including the Anderson House and its restored gardens and orchard. Guided tours of the Anderson House are also available.

For more information call the site at (660) 259-4654, write to P.O. Box 6, Lexington, MO 64067 or visit www.mostateparks.com.