Scotland County, nestled in the northeast corner of Missouri, has a rich and fascinating history. From its earliest days to the present, the county has been home to many interesting people and events. Here are seven interesting facts about Scotland County in Missouri history.
1. Scotland County was named after Scotland, the land of its earliest settlers. Many Scottish families settled in the area in the early 1800s, and their culture and traditions have had a lasting impact on the region.
2. One of the county's most famous residents was Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. Twain spent much of his childhood in nearby Hannibal and often wrote about the people and places of the region in his work.
3. During the Civil War, Scotland County was home to a number of skirmishes and raids, as both Union and Confederate forces sought to control the area. The most famous of these was the Battle of Vassar Hill, fought on March 26, 1862, which resulted in a Union victory.
4. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Scotland County was a hotbed of activity for the Ku Klux Klan. The group's presence in the area was largely due to the efforts of a local lawyer named Asa B. Woodward, who became known as the "Grand Goblin" of the Missouri Klan.
5. Scotland County has a rich tradition of fiddling, and the annual Old-Time Fiddlers' Contest has been held in Memphis, the county seat, since 1963. The contest attracts fiddlers from all over the United States and is a celebration of the county's musical heritage.
6. During the early years of World War II, Scotland County was home to a prisoner of war camp. The camp housed German soldiers who had been captured in North Africa, and they were put to work on area farms.
7. Scotland County is also home to one of the oldest and most prestigious conservation areas in the state of Missouri. The Peck Ranch Conservation Area, established in 1944, is a 23,763-acre wildlife preserve that is home to a variety of endangered species, including elk, black bears, and Indiana bats.
In conclusion, Scotland County, Missouri, has a rich and fascinating history that is filled with interesting people, events, and traditions. From its Scottish roots to its ties to Mark Twain and the Civil War, the county is a place where history comes alive. Whether you are interested in music, conservation, or military history, you are sure to find something to fascinate you in Scotland County.
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