Powhatan Historic State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Powhatan Historic State Park |
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Historic Powhatan courthouse
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 Powhatan Historic State Park
Location in Arkansas
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| Location | Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States |
| Area | 9.1 acres (3.7 ha) |
| Elevation | 292 ft (89 m) |
| Established | March 28, 1970 |
| Governing body | Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism |
| Website | Powhatan Historic State Park |
Powhatan Historic State Park is a special place in Lawrence County, Arkansas. It's a state park that covers about 9 acres. This park helps us learn about the past.
The main building is the 1888 Powhatan courthouse. This building was the center of county government for many years. Today, it's a museum with old items and a Visitor Center. You can take a tour to see this and four other historic buildings. The park also has the Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives.
Powhatan was once a very important stop for boats on the Black River. But in 1883, a new railway line was built. This railway, the Kansas City-Memphis Railway, was two miles north of Powhatan. It made river travel less important, and Powhatan's role changed.
Exploring Powhatan's Past
How Powhatan Grew and Changed
Before 1849, Powhatan was a busy place. It was the main business center for Lawrence County. Its location on the Black River was perfect for trade. Boats used the river, and people crossed the river using a ferry here.
The Military Road was also nearby in the 1830s. This road helped the local economy grow even more. But the Civil War stopped most trade on the river. Life was hard for people in the area during the war.
After the war, things slowly got better. The county government moved to Powhatan from Clover Bend. This decision really helped Powhatan recover and become important again.
The Railway's Impact on Powhatan
In 1883, a new railway line was built. It crossed the Black River two miles north of Powhatan, through the town of Black Rock. This railway made river travel much less important for Powhatan.
In 1887, the county decided to split its court duties. Courts were held in both Walnut Ridge and Powhatan. Later, in the 1950s, US Route 63 was rerouted. This new road bypassed Powhatan completely. Finally, in 1968, all county government moved to Walnut Ridge.
Historic Buildings to See
The park has several old buildings that tell stories of the past. Each one shows a different part of life in Powhatan.
The Ficklin-Imboden House
This house is also called the Powhatan Log House. It's a log cabin with a sloped roof. Another part was added to the back later. Experts think it was built around 1850. It is believed to be the oldest house still standing in Lawrence County.
The Powhatan Courthouse
The courthouse sits on a small hill, looking over the Black River. It's a two-story building made of brick. It has a tall, square tower with a pointed roof. This building was built in 1888. It's one of the few government buildings from that time left in northeast Arkansas.
The Powhatan Jail
The jail is a short walk from the courthouse. It's a small building made of limestone and concrete. It has a special raised section on its roof for air. The jail was built in 1873. It's the only building in Powhatan that remains from when the first courthouse was built. From 1935 to 1937, it was used to can food. Now, it has been fixed up to look like it did long ago.
The Powhatan Schoolhouse
This schoolhouse is a one-story wooden building. It has a main roof and a front section that sticks out. This front part was the entrance to the two-room school. The classroom had a wall that could slide open or closed. This allowed it to become two separate rooms. It was built around 1888, replacing an older log school.
The Commercial (Telephone Exchange) Building
This is a one-story brick building. It stands on what was once a very busy street corner in Powhatan. It has three simple openings for windows and a door in the middle. It was built in the 1880s. This is the only old business building left in Powhatan. It first held the town's first telephone system. Later, it was a doctor's office, a general store, a post office, and even a home.
Recreation at the Park
Powhatan Historic State Park focuses on history. It does not have places for camping or other outdoor recreation activities.
