Jacksonport State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jacksonport State Park |
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Historic Jacksonport courthouse
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 Jacksonport State Park
Location in Arkansas
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| Location | Jackson County, Arkansas, United States |
| Area | 164.7 acres (66.7 ha) |
| Elevation | 226 ft (69 m) |
| Established | June 5, 1965 |
| Governing body | Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism |
| Website | Jacksonport State Park |
Jacksonport State Park is a fun place to visit in Jackson County, Arkansas. This park covers about 165 acres (67 hectares). It's home to the old Jacksonport courthouse, built in 1872. This building was once the main office for the county government. Today, you can take tours inside the courthouse and see historical items from the area.
Jacksonport was once a very important stop for steamboats. It was a busy trading center where the White River and Black River meet. However, when the Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad built its tracks elsewhere, Jacksonport became less important.
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History of Jacksonport
Jacksonport grew into a big trading town in the mid-1800s. It was also important during the American Civil War. In 1865, General M. Jeff Thompson officially surrendered the Confederate Army of Northern Arkansas here.
The Town's Decline
In the 1870s, a new railroad line didn't go through Jacksonport. This meant that river shipping became less popular, and the town quickly became smaller. In 1891, the county government offices moved to Newport.
Creating the State Park
The idea for the park started in 1961. The Jackson County Historical Society bought the old, run-down courthouse to fix it up. On June 5, 1965, the area officially became a state park. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1970. The park also has the Jackson Guards Memorial, which was added to the NRHP in 1996.
The Mary Woods No. 2 Steamboat
In 1967, a steamboat called the Mary Woods No. 2 was given to the park. This boat was built in the 1930s and was a type of steamboat called a sternwheeler. It opened as a museum in May 1976.
The steamboat faced some challenges. In January 1984, a pipe on the boat froze and then thawed, causing it to sink. It was later raised and repaired. Then, on March 1, 1997, a very strong tornado (an F4 tornado) hit the park. The Mary Woods No. 2 was badly damaged.
The steamboat was repaired again in 2000. This restoration cost $870,000. Workers tried to make the steamboat look as much like it did when it was running as possible. They even put canned goods on shelves and set tables for dinner.
However, on January 31, 2010, the steamboat sank again while it was docked. Later, it was discovered that a rusty pipe and a leak in the hull (the bottom of the boat) likely caused the sinking. The Arkansas Parks and Tourism Department decided that it would be too expensive to rebuild the steamboat again.
Fun Things to Do
Jacksonport State Park is a great place for outdoor activities. You can find 20 campsites if you want to stay overnight. There's also a playground for kids and a pavilion for gatherings. Visitors can enjoy a swimming beach along the White River. You can also take a walk along the Tunstall Riverwalk Trail, which follows the river.
