Fun Facts about Kirksville 

• Home to the Battle of Kirksville- The Battle of Kirksville was a key Civil War battle that took place right in the heart of today’s downtown area from August 6 to 9, 1862. During this time the Union army forced the Confederate to vacate the city where they had been storing supplies. It was estimated that around 200 died, almost entirely on the Confederate side, and around 400 were wounded. In recent years, residents of Kirksville have found items from the battle in their years or in older buildings during construction. One family reported finding a live cannon ball, that never exploded during battle, in their backyard.

• Was featured on Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers and well as Storm Stories on The Weather Channel because of the 2009 tornado that destroyed numerous homes and businesses. Kirksville is also known for the 1899 tornado that left a path of destruction three blocks wide, and killed 32 people.

• Is home to 15 places that are on the National Register of Historic Places including The Adair County Courthouse, Bear Creek Baptist Church, Dockery Hotel, Grim Building, Capt. Thomas C. Harris House, Journal Printing Company Building, Kirksville Courthouse Square Historic District, Drs. George and Blanche Laughlin House, Masonic Temple, Dr. E. Sanborn Smith House, Orie J. Smith Black and White Stock Farm Historic District, Sojourners Club, Thousand Hills State Park Petroglyphs Archeological Site, Travelers Hotel, and Trinity Episcopal Church.

• In the top 1%of short commute times and the top 3% for walkability and bikeability to work in the state.

• Some of the oldest streets in Kirksville are brick.

• Kirksville has a time capsule in the historic downtown area.