The Little-Known Story Of The Historic McCollum-Chidester House In Arkansas Is Unlike Any Other
By Melanie Johnson|Published October 26, 2023
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Melanie Johnson
Author
I am a nature lover and self-proclaimed foodie wrapped in one package. In my previous life, I was an Accountant, but numbers were boring and writing is the only thing that fuels my soul. So, I write because it's my freedom...it brings me joy. When I'm not writing dope articles for OnlyInYourState, I am writing and editing articles for my online blog on Medium.com. Or, when I get the chance, I am off on a trip with my family chasing waterfalls, or simply exploring the great outdoors. My mantra is to always find the best part of every day and bask in it.
If you live in Arkansas, chances are, you’ve heard many tales, folklore, and urban legends. Some of those stories are so terrifying that they will give you nightmares. Personally, I prefer the stories that are loaded with the history of our state, and maybe, just maybe, a little bit of controversy as well. And yes, we’ve heard many of them over the years. But there is one story that I recently discovered that I found quite interesting. The McCollum-Chidester lore is a historic tale in Arkansas unlike any other. And if you’re a history buff, you’ll want to read on to discover more.
Located in the heart of the Washington Historic District in the town of Camden Arkansas, you’ll find the McCollum-Chidester House. It’s a 19th century home that was originally built by Peter McCollum, a North Carolina businessman.
Later, the home was purchased by John Chidester, a stagecoach owner who moved into the area from Tuscumbia, Alabama. Camden was attractive to folks who wanted to expand their enterprise in the growing riverboat town.
Inside the home, you'll find the well-preserved furniture from the Chidester family, who lived in the home for almost 4 generations. Among the items inside the rooms are children’s dolls and books, family portraits and heirlooms, clothing, jewelry, and more.
In the early 1960s, the home was purchased by the Ouachita County Historical Society that currently operates it as a museum while preserving its rich history. If you're interested in touring the house, stop by between Wednesday to Saturday from 9 to 4 p.m.
And if you're a history buff, you'll want to hear all about the lesser-known tale of this historic home. And what a tale it has to tell. From espionage to unrested spirits to its Civil War connections to a TV debut, and more, there is so much history tied to this tiny home.
Legend has it the home was used by both Confederate and Union soldiers during the Civil War. At one point, Union General Frederick Steele stayed in the home and accused Chidester of spying for the Confederacy by stealing mail from his stagecoach and turning it over to Confederate troops.
Naturally, the Union troops retaliated and fired upon the home, but luckily, Chidester was able to escape unharmed. Today, bullet holes can be seen inside a bedroom from that encounter. If that weren't enough, the house is said to be haunted by the ghost of a well-dressed man in uniform, perhaps John Chidester or one of his descendants.
Moreover, the house was used for a 1980s TV series “North and South,” that starred Patrick Swayze and Kirstie Alley. Hopefully, their souls are resting in peace. Between the espionage accusations, the paranormal activity and the TV appearances, history buffs, TV fans, as well as ghost hunters will want to tour this museum that tells a tale unlike any other.
So, have you been to the McCollum-Chidester Museum, or did you know about this historic tale in Arkansas? Let me know in the comments below. For more lore and legends, read our previous article about these historic places in Arkansas.
Camden has a lot more to offer than this museum, so while you’re in town, be sure to check out more of their incredible attractions.
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