Arkansas Post National Memorial in Arkansas County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
American Townsite
1805 — 1840
— Frontier Settlement and Territorial Capitol —
Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 26, 2017
1. American Townsite Marker
In the early 1800's the land in front of you was an important center of trade and government on the edge of the Arkansas River wilderness. Here were the homes, stores, taverns, mills, docks, and busy streets of the Post of Arkansas. This was the capital of Arkansas Territory from its organization in 1819 until it moved to Little Rock in 1821. At the height of the Post's importance in the 1820's and 1830's, the population here was about 1,000.
What happened to the town? The Civil War forced river traffic to cease, and in the resulting economic collapse, most residents left. Bombardment by Union gunboats in 1863 destroyed much of the village, and it did not recover after the war. Eventually railroads and highways by-passed Arkansas Post, isolating it economically. The Arkansas River has washed away part of the land where the townsite stood.
Historic sites labeled here are located and described by small markers. None of the structures remain standing today. There were, of course, many other buildings, including a law office, church, jail, blacksmith shop, billiard parlor, and a girls' academy.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil
this page online
Location. 34° 0.918′ N, 91° 20.669′ W. Marker is in Arkansas Post National Memorial, Arkansas, in Arkansas County. Marker can be reached from Old Post Road, 0.8 miles south of State Route 169. Located south of the visitors center along the walking trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1741 Old Post Road, Gillett AR 72055, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Post of Arkansas (within shouting distance of this marker); The Arkansas Posts (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Colbert Raid (about 700 feet away); Edge of Empires (about 700 feet away); The Post of Arkansas (approx. 0.2 miles away); The European Settlement (approx. ¼ mile away); Stone from Ruins of Old Bank (approx. ¼ mile away); The Post under Spain (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arkansas Post National Memorial.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 26, 2017
2. American Townsite Marker near former town location.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 26, 2017
3. Entrance to the Arkansas Post National Memorial.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 267 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 18, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
