City of Pacific Tunes In to its Civil War History
Updated at October 21, 2009 20:15PACIFIC, MO. October 19, 2009 – Missouri’s Civil War Heritage Foundation (MCWHF) (www.mocivilwar.org) announced today that the City of Pacific is funding a marketing program that will highlight Pacific’s role in the Civil War. Pacific’s Board of Alderman voted on October 6, 2009 to fund the program, which was recommended by the city’s Tourism Commission.
As part of the program, Pacific will fund two interpretative markers designed and produced by MCWHF. Preliminary plans call for a marker to be placed at Pacific’s new railroad plaza, near the historic junction point of the two railroads that made Pacific a place of strategic importance during the Civil War. The second marker will commemorate the October 1, 1864 Battle of Pacific. This battle began two miles east of town – making it the only Civil War battle that occurred in St. Louis County – and it ended in the center of Pacific in Franklin County.
The funding approved by the Board of Alderman, along with expected contributions from the business community, will also cover brochures and signage for an in-town driving trail that will tell the Civil War history of the town. Pacific’s marketing program is expected to complement a driving trail, The U. S. Grant Trail, which is planned in St. Louis County. “Pacific’s location on Interstate 44 and its battle history makes it a natural gateway to the Civil War attractions in St. Louis and St. Louis County,” said Vanessa Irby, MCWHF’s Marketing Associate.
MCWHF’s marketing plan provides integrated graphics and themes for interpretive signs, brochures, maps and other tourism tools. Most importantly, said Irby, “the history is documented and it’s interesting.”
“When Pacific set up its tourism commission, this was just the kind of promotion we were looking for. It fits right in with our other major tourist themes.”
-Harold Selby, Pacific City Administrator
About Pacific Tourism:
The City of Pacific is known as the Gateway to the Ozarks. This charming city with a proud railroad heritage is located on historic Route 66. Nearby attractions include Six Flags St. Louis, Purina Farms and the Shaw Nature Reserve.
About Missouri’s Civil War Heritage Foundation:
A 501©(3) educational organization, MCWHF was founded in 2001 to assist Missouri communities in interpreting and preserving their important Civil War heritage sites, and in marketing Missouri’s vast Civil War resources to visitors who will be traveling during the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
For more information:
Vanessa Irby, Marketing Associate
members@mocivilwar.org
314-260-9848
