Historic Towns
Summer is colorful at Historic Washington State Park.
Three historic towns in the Arkansas State Parks system preserve the fabric of life on the American frontier, in the developing new state, and at a busy riverport. Two are preserved towns with complete structures; the third is but landmarks from one of Arkansas's earliest townsites. Stand in these places. See, hear and envision life in these once-thriving communities.
Davidsonville Historic State Park
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Established in 1815 on the banks of the Black River, this important frontier town had Arkansas Territory's first post office, courthouse and land office. When bypassed by the Southwest Trail from St. Louis to Mexico, the town began to fade, and was virtually unoccupied by the 1830s. Because there has since been little disturbance, archeologists have recently uncovered the town three inches below ground. Finds include corners of buildings, streets, and a volume of artifacts, which are currently at the University of Arkansas being catalogued and preserved.
Historic Washington State Park
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Historic Washington is a restored 19th-century town with 45 historic structures. Classic examples of Southern Greek Revival, Federal, Gothic Revival, and Italianate architecture stand as a legacy to life in Washington from 1824 to 1889. From its establishment in 1824, Washington was an important stop on the rugged Southwest Trail to Mexico, and later, Texas. James Bowie, Sam Houston and Davy Crockett each traveled through Washington at various times. Stroll the plank boardwalks along streets that have never been paved, and explore this tree-shaded town many call "the Colonial Williamsburg of the Southwest."
Powhatan Historic State Park
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In the late 1800s, this busy river port on the Black River was the shipping point for a large territory. In 1888, a Victorian courthouse was built. Restored to the architect's original plans, the courthouse today serves as a regional archive that contains some of the oldest records in Arkansas. Tour the 1888 courthouse, 1873 Powhatan jail, 1840s Ficklin-Imboden house, 1888 telephone exchange building, and a unique 1880s two-room schoolhouse, all on their original foundations.
