Central Arkansas sites?

[archieclement]

Was wondering if anyone knows of interesting CW or CW era sites in region? In particular within an HR or two drive of Russellville/Morrilton?

 

[bankerpapaw]

Jenkins' Ferry battlefield between Sheridan and Leola. If you are traveling South, it will be on your right.

 

[JenkinsFerry1864]

Was wondering if anyone knows of interesting CW or CW era sites in region? In particular within an HR or two drive of Russellville/Morrilton?

Was wondering if anyone knows of interesting CW or CW era sites in region? In particular within an HR or two drive of Russellville/Morrilton?

Im pretty sure there was an intense skirmish at Dardanelle look it up and thats right there in Russellville. Prairie Grove was a large battle and its a 2 hour drive.

 

[archieclement]

Think this spring going to spend a couple days at Petit Jean SP, it looks a scenic place to rest and relax. But doubt I can just sit round all the time.

Been to Prairie Grove before, Dardanelle close enough could squeeze it into a rest and relax day, Jenkins Ferry looks a doable road trip for one day. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Pollaco]

Pea Ridge should be only 3 or 4 counties from you,I think.That about an hour isn't it?

 

[archieclement]

Pea Ridge should be only 3 or 4 counties from you,I think.That about an hour isn't it?

Computer says prob 2 1/2 hrs from park, 2 HR 11 min from Russellville and Petit Jean ways from it.

Squeeze Pea Ridge in sometimes with Branson trips, go to Branson several times a year. Its about 2 hrs from there too though.

 

[JenkinsFerry1864]

Think this spring going to spend a couple days at Petit Jean SP, it looks a scenic place to rest and relax. But doubt I can just sit round all the time.

Been to Prairie Grove before, Dardanelle close enough could squeeze it into a rest and relax day, Jenkins Ferry looks a doable road trip for one day. Thanks for the suggestions.

I live in Leola literally 5 minutes from Jenkins ferry. The battle is very interesting to learn about. However the battle field is not preserved it is a deer lease you cannot go to the actual battle field. But you can go to the wagon crossing site on the river and its pretty underwhelming its just a few signs with speculative casualty reports and what not.

 

[Zella]

Pea Ridge should be only 3 or 4 counties from you,I think.That about an hour isn't it?

Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove are both NW Arkansas, not Central AR, and aren't that close to Russellville/Morrilton. I live in NWA and it's a 2-hour trip to Russellville for me.

 

[archieclement]

Interesting tidbit, tho doubt much to see is Hwy 22 from Dardenelle to Fort Smith is designated True Grit Highway, in novel its route Mattie Ross's father took. I'll be in Yell county where the fictional characters were from.

I found a beautiful era plantation outside Little Rock, but looks its only open for events and not general tours.

 

[archieclement]

I suppose Fort Smith and Massard Prairie could be a day trip at about an hour and half, tho doesn't sound as if much at Massard Prairie

Might be a road trip mountains and see what stumble on in small towns type of day roadtrip.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

The Petit Jean in the Ouachita Mountains...

Your not going to find any CW sites that are well marked or even known. There was a ton of CW activity, but no one cares since it ain't Prairie Grove or Pea Ridge. Cause let's be honest, those battles and Jenkins Ferry are the only ones in Arkansas anyone ever heard of or thinks happened in the grander scheme of things. Which I find annoyingly ignorant of a very rich history. (No offense people, it can't be denied that folks completely ignore it.)

There was a lot of skirmishing in the area, and a lot of bushwhacking. Waldron was even burnt by Federal troops, and I think there's a small private CW museum/gun shop there. Or at least I've heard there is. South of the Fort Smith area there's also the Devil's Backbone battlefield.

Somewhere on the site is a thread I did on thenwar in the region, and I know JamesN had a thread. Both could be helpful, there's also a couple blogs and websites by the guy who wrote the book on Massard's Prairie detailing the war there, even the Petit Jean area, a Google search ought to bring it up.

 

[John Hartwell]

When and where we met each other on shore and afloat; battles, engagements, actions, skirmishes, and expeditions during the Civil War, 1861-1866 (1899) provides a list of possible sites. (pp 17-33 cover hundreds within Arkansas). How many of those are within your 2-hour range, and marked, preserved, or accessible will need further, local research.

 

[archieclement]

When and where we met each other on shore and afloat; battles, engagements, actions, skirmishes, and expeditions during the Civil War, 1861-1866 (1899) provides a list of possible sites. (pp 17-33 cover hundreds within Arkansas). How many of those are within your 2-hour range, and marked, preserved, or accessible will need further, local research.

You just guaranteed I'll likely return to this thread to consult that link.

 

[JenkinsFerry1864]

When and where we met each other on shore and afloat; battles, engagements, actions, skirmishes, and expeditions during the Civil War, 1861-1866 (1899) provides a list of possible sites. (pp 17-33 cover hundreds within Arkansas). How many of those are within your 2-hour range, and marked, preserved, or accessible will need further, local research.

That is very interesting.

 

[Johnny Shafto]

Beautiful country. Image from the summit of Mt. Nebo in central Arkansas. Stopped over for the night on the way to Corinth.

 

[archieclement]

Beautiful country. Image from the summit of Mt. Nebo in central Arkansas. Stopped over for the night on the way to Corinth.

View attachment 463712

The cabin I rented is on the edge of a canyon, from YouTube it looks like should be beautiful April getaway.

 

[bankerpapaw]

I live in Leola literally 5 minutes from Jenkins ferry. The battle is very interesting to learn about. However the battle field is not preserved it is a deer lease you cannot go to the actual battle field. But you can go to the wagon crossing site on the river and its pretty underwhelming its just a few signs with speculative casualty reports and what not.

JF, my Great Grandfather owed Jenkins' Ferry, but he died just before the war began. His widow, however, continued to run the ferry. The Yankees used her cabin for their headquarters for a while.

 

[Pollaco]

JF, my Great Grandfather owed Jenkins' Ferry, but he died just before the war began. His widow, however, continued to run the ferry. The Yankees used her cabin for their headquarters for a while.

My great great grandfather fought in that battle. I think that was his one and only combat encounter. He spent the rest of the war guarding the Texas coast.

 

[Stoney Dee]

Was wondering if anyone knows of interesting CW or CW era sites in region? In particular within an HR or two drive of Russellville/Morrilton?

You may have already seen this, thought I would pass along just in case.

 

[JenkinsFerry1864]

JF, my Great Grandfather owed Jenkins' Ferry, but he died just before the war began. His widow, however, continued to run the ferry. The Yankees used her cabin for their headquarters for a while.

That's something I've always wondered about who Jenkins really was. never thought id write one of his descendants.