Wilson's Creek battleground taken off endangered list

REPUBLIC, Mo. -- A southwest Missouri battlefield that had been threatened by a housing development has dropped off a preservation group's list of the 10 most endangered Civil War battlefields.

The Wilson's Creek National Battlefield had been on the list for the past two years. But the Washington-based Civil War Preservation Trust left the battlefield off the list released Tuesday because the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation has acquired 157 acres of once endangered land.

Developer Steve Redford, who is building homes on 2,000 acres just west of the park, had originally sought $1.86 million for the property. But the foundation announced in September that it paid $921,000 for land that Union soldiers marched over on Aug. 10, 1861, as they fought for control of Missouri in the Civil War.

"It was a great compromise," said Mary Groundrey, spokeswoman for the trust, which contributed $50,000 toward the land deal. "In the end, everybody came out as a winner."

Despite the delisting, supporters said the battlefield remained threatened.

"We're very happy we were able to acquire the piece of land," said April McDonough, the foundation's executive director. "But that doesn't mean the battlefield is no longer in danger."