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
Jacksonport State Park
Location in the United States
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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 cool place to visit in Jackson County, Arkansas. It's a state park that covers about 165 acres. The park is famous for its old courthouse, built in 1872. This building was the center of county government for 20 years.
You can take tours of the courthouse today. It's filled with items from the past. Jacksonport used to be a very busy spot for steamboats. It was a big trading center where the White River and Black River meet. However, its importance changed when the railroad came through.
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A Look Back: Jacksonport's History
The town of Jacksonport grew a lot in the mid-1800s. It became a major place for trade. During the American Civil War, the town was important for military reasons. In 1865, a general named M. Jeff Thompson officially surrendered the Confederate Army of Northern Arkansas here.
Later, in the 1870s, the railroad was built, but it didn't go through Jacksonport. This caused the town to decline quickly. River shipping became less important. The county government eventually moved to Newport in 1891.
How the Park Began
The idea for a park started in 1961. The Jackson County Historical Society bought the old courthouse. They wanted to fix it up and save it. On June 5, 1965, the area officially became a state park.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. This list includes important historical sites. The park also has the Jackson Guards Memorial, which was added to the list in 1996.
The Mary Woods No. 2 Steamboat
In 1967, a special gift came to the park: the Mary Woods No. 2. This was a real sternwheeler steamboat from the 1930s. It opened as a museum in May 1976, letting visitors imagine life on the river.
The steamboat faced some tough times. In January 1984, a pipe froze and then thawed, causing the boat to sink. It was later brought up and fixed. Then, in March 1997, a powerful tornado hit the park. The Mary Woods No. 2 was badly damaged.
After a lot of work and money, the steamboat was restored again in 2000. It cost $870,000 to make it look as close to its original operating days as possible. Inside, shelves were stocked with canned goods, and tables were set for dinner.
Sadly, on January 31, 2010, the steamboat sank again. Divers later found that a rusty pipe and a leak in the hull were the cause. The Arkansas Parks and Tourism Department decided it would be too expensive to rebuild the steamboat again.
Fun Things to Do at Jacksonport State Park
Jacksonport State Park is a great place for outdoor fun!
- You can go camping at one of the 20 campsites.
- There's a playground for kids to enjoy.
- A pavilion is available for picnics or gatherings.
- You can swim at the beach along the White River.
- Take a walk on the Tunstall Riverwalk Trail, which runs along the river.
