The Civil War Muse

Stop 19: Historic Byram’s Ford Road

[Waypoint 39.031039 -94.483379]

This is more of a tour route than a tour stop. It begins at the intersection of Sni-A-Bar Road and Byram’s Ford Road On the way you will be driving over sections of the Historic Byram’s Ford Road still in use today. Along the way, you will pass the spot where the Historic Independence-Westport Road veered off where it continued to the main crossing over the Big Blue River. Because a bridge is closed along the way, the tour has you drive around about a half-mile section of the Historic Byram’s Ford Road north of this location.

• Leave Hill Park and turn left (south) on S. Maywood Avenue.
• After 0.1 miles, cross E. 23rd Street South (State Highway 78) and continue south on S. Maywood Avenue.
• After 0.2 miles, turn right (west) onto E. Westport Road.
• After 0.9 miles turn left (south) onto Blue Ridge Boulevard and continue straight on Blue Ridge Cutoff. About half a mile after turning onto Blue Ridge Blvd, you will pass the intersection with present-day Pitcher Road This is where the historic road split into the Independence-Westport Road and the Byram’s Ford Road.
• After 2.4 miles, turn right (west) onto Sni-A-Bar Road.
• Take the first left (south) onto Byram’s Ford Road and find a place to park.