Herman Davis State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Herman Davis State Park
Herman Davis Memorial, 2011
Herman Davis State Park Location in Arkansas
Location	Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States
Area	1 acre (0.40 ha)
Named for	Herman Davis
Governing body	Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
Website	Herman Davis State Park

Herman Davis State Park is a small but important state park in Manila, Arkansas. It covers about 1 acre (0.4 hectares) of land. This special park honors Herman Davis (1888-1923). He was a brave American soldier and a skilled sniper during World War I. The park includes a memorial and is where Herman Davis is buried. It helps everyone remember his amazing courage and service.

Who Was Herman Davis?

Herman Davis was born in Manila, Arkansas. He joined the army and fought in World War I. He became famous for his incredible marksmanship. Marksmanship means being very good at shooting.

A Heroic Act in World War I

During the war, Herman Davis faced a very dangerous situation. He took out a nest of German machine gunners. This was a group of enemy soldiers with powerful machine guns. His accurate shooting helped his fellow soldiers.

Awards and Recognition

Herman Davis was a very humble person. He rarely talked about the awards he received for his bravery. But his actions were recognized by top military leaders. General John J. Pershing, a very important general, even listed him as one of the top 100 heroes of the war. Herman Davis received the US Distinguished Service Medal. He also received two French Croix de Guerre medals. These are very high honors for bravery in battle.

Exploring Herman Davis State Park

The park is located in Manila, Arkansas. You can find it where Baltimore Avenue meets Arkansas Highway 18. It is just south of the city center.

What You Will See

The park is mostly a grassy area. There is a concrete path that leads to the main memorial. The memorial itself is a tall, pointed stone monument. It is called an obelisk and stands about 25 feet (7.6 meters) high. In front of the obelisk is a statue of Herman Davis. The statue shows him in his army uniform. His remains are buried right behind this monument. This park is the only place in Arkansas directly linked to Herman Davis.

History of the Park

After Herman Davis passed away in 1923, people in Arkansas wanted to honor him. They worked together to create a memorial in his name.

Establishing the Memorial

The site became a local memorial in 1925. It was a way for the community to remember their hero. Later, in 1953, the site was officially named a state park. The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism now takes care of the park.

The Statue's Story

The very first statue of Herman Davis was made of marble. Sadly, it was damaged by vandals in 1967. Vandals are people who purposely destroy property. After that, a new statue was created. This new statue, made of granite, is the one you see in the park today. In 1995, Herman Davis State Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.