Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park |
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 Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park
Location in Arkansas
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| Location | Prairie Grove, Arkansas |
| Area | 707.8 acres (286.4 ha) |
| Established | 1971 |
| Named for | Battle of Prairie Grove |
| Owner | Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism |
| Official website: http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/prairiegrovebattlefield/ | |
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Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park
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| NRHP reference No. | 70000133 (original) 92001523 (increase 1) 05001167 (increase 2) |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | September 4, 1970 |
| Boundary increases | November 09, 1992 October 27, 2005 |
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park is an Arkansas state park located in Prairie Grove. It commemorates the Battle of Prairie Grove, fought December 7, 1862, in the American Civil War. The battle secured northwestern Arkansas for the Union.
Park History
In 1908, the local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy purchased 9 acres (3.6 ha) at the center of the Battle of Prairie Grove. It was maintained by the UDC as a meeting spot and in commemorations of the battle for almost 50 years. A local business owner and politician, J. Sherman Dill, sought funds while serving in the 38th Arkansas General Assembly to improve the park, and was successful in procuring $10,000 ($326,000 in today's dollars). These funds led to the construction of the stone archway at the park entrance, a wooden bandstand, and gravel driveway around 1925. However, the park fell into disrepair during the Great Depression, and was fenced off from use for years.
In 1953, a newly formed Lion's Club chapter adopted the park as a club project, raising money through community events and constructing benches, picnic tables, and sidewalks. In 1957, a 55-foot (17 m) stone chimney from nearby Rhea's Mill was carefully moved to the park site. Other historic buildings from the area, including a 1834 log home and blacksmith's shop, were moved to the park site in the following years.
A museum was constructed following a bequest by Biscoe Hindman, the grandson of General Thomas C. Hindman who commanded the Confederate forces in the battle. Dedicated on May 31, 1964, the museum is named Hindman Hall. The park was added to the state park system in 1971 in a joint effort among Governor Dale Bumpers and state legislators Morriss Henry, Hugh Kincaid, and Charles W. Stewart. The park grew through land acquisitions and donations in 1980, 1992, and 2005.
The portion of the park within a 64-acre (26 ha) triangle formed by North Rd. on the northwest and Highway 62 was first listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. The area of this district was increased in 1992 to 65.8 acres (26.6 ha) and then again in 2005 to 707.8 acres (286.4 ha).
Park features
Prominent features of the park include its battle monument, a chimney carefully relocated here from the site of a skirmish, and the Hindman Museum.
A Civil War reenactment is held at the park during the first weekend in December of even-numbered years.
The Prairie Grove Airlight Outdoor Telephone Booth, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is opposite the entrance to the park on U.S. 62.
