Blackton, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blackton, Arkansas
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Country | United States |
State | Arkansas |
County | Monroe |
Elevation | 180 ft (50 m) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
Area code(s) | 870 |
GNIS feature ID | 76371 |
Blackton is a small, unincorporated community located in Monroe County, Arkansas, United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Today, not much remains of the original community.
Even though it's small, Blackton is close to two important historic sites. These places are so special that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect important buildings and places in the United States.
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Exploring Blackton's History
Blackton officially became an incorporated town on December 10, 1892. This means it gained a legal status as a town at that time. Over the years, like many small communities, it changed. Today, it is no longer an incorporated town.
Historic Places Near Blackton
Two very important historical sites are located in or near Blackton. These sites tell us a lot about the history of Arkansas and even the United States.
The Palmer House: A Historic Home
One of these sites is the Palmer House. This was a brick home built way back in 1873. It was a beautiful old house and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This listing recognized its importance to history.
Sadly, the Palmer House was destroyed by a fire in 2014. At the time, no one was living in the house. It was being restored, which means people were working to fix it up and make it look new again. Even though the house is gone, its history is still remembered.
Louisiana Purchase State Park: A National Landmark
Another incredibly important site near Blackton is the Louisiana Purchase State Park. This park is about two miles outside of Blackton. It marks the exact spot where a very important survey began.
This survey was for the lands acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana Purchase was a huge event in American history. In 1803, the United States bought a massive amount of land from France. This land stretched from the Mississippi River all the way to the Rocky Mountains.
The spot in the park is where surveyors started measuring and mapping out this new land. Because of its huge historical importance, Louisiana Purchase State Park has been listed as a National Historic Landmark. This is an even higher level of recognition than the National Register of Historic Places. It means the site is considered to be of national importance to the history of the United States.