Posted in Arkansas Attractions, Nature, State Parks March 11, 2022 by

This Entire Town In Arkansas Was Turned Into A State Park You Can’t Pass Up

There are lots of spectacular state parks in Arkansas. However, none have a back-story quite like that of Davidsonville Historic State Park. The 163-acre park occupies what was once Davidsonville, Arkansas’ first boom town. Visitors today can learn about the once bustling town – all while enjoying typical state park perks. This is one park you don’t want to pass up!

Frontier history and modern-day fun unite at Davidsonville Historic State Park in Pocahontas.
Thomas R Machnitzki/Wikimedia
The town of Davidsonville once occupied the park’s grounds. Founded in 1815, it quickly flourished, earning it the distinction of Arkansas’ first boom town.
Crystal Warden/All Trails
Its success was short-lived, though. It was a ghost town by the time Arkansas became a state in 1836. A combination of things led to its demise, but the final nail in the coffin was when the Southwest Trail bypassed it.
By the time the park was established in 1957, Davidsonville had been abandoned for more than a century, so not much of the original site is left.
Bible Thumber/Google
Today, a lone cemetery is all that remains of the original town.
Matt Ziegler/Google
However, visitors can still immerse themselves in the town’s history via a variety of exhibits, displays, and signage, which paint a vivid picture of the Davidsonville of yesteryear.
William Rainwater/Google
And don’t assume there isn’t much to see since Davidsonville wasn’t a town for long.
Earlene B/Trip Advisor
It has a lot of “state firsts” under its belt. Aside from being home to the state’s first post office, it was also home to one of the state’s earliest courthouses.
In addition to pioneer history, the park’s grounds are rich with Native American history.
Davidsonville Historic State Park/Trip Advisor
Since the 1970s, numerous Native American artifacts have been recovered from the area. Some of the items are on display in the park’s visitor center.
Aside from its colorful history, Davidsonville Historic State Park is a typical state park with plenty of recreational opportunities.
Davidsonville Historic State Park/Trip Advisor
A water-enthusiast’s paradise, the park borders the Black River and is home to a 12-acre lake.
John Hoit/Google
Pedal boats are available for rent, making it easy to get out on the water.
Park-goers can enjoy hiking, picnicking, and camping too.
Neal Dean/Google

Ready to explore Arkansas’ most unique state park? For more info, head on over to the Davidsonville Historic State Park website.

Looking for another park to add to your bucket list? Check out this one-of-a-kind park. Truly unique, it’s the only one of its kind in the U.S.

 

Address: Davidsonville Historic State Park, 8047 Hwy 166 S, Pocahontas, AR 72455, USA