Van Buren in Crawford County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Overlooking His Domain
Until after the Civil War, the Arkansas River and the steamboats that plied its waters linked towns like Van Buren to the rest of the nation. Mail, manufactured merchandise, and news arrived by ship, only to be replaced with local products from rural plantations going to markets down river. Rewarded for their business success with money and real estate, successful men like Drennen also received civic recognition including public office. Drennen, for example, served as postmaster and state representative. When President Zachary Taylor appointed Drennen Indian agent, he inserted him into one of the most controversial issues of the day, Federal Indian policy.
Photo captions
Top left: Steamboats like the Lightwood, seen here running between Van Buren and Fort Smith in the early 1900s, brought the comforts and necessities of civilization to Van Buren while taking farm products and raw materials back to eastern markets.
Photo courtesy of Fort Public Library
Bottom left: Drawn in 1887, this map shows much of John Drennen's influence on the development of the City of Van Buren. From the courthouse, to the riverfront, and including the railroad bridge, Drennen's domain extends beyond the 1800s and includes visible remains today.
Bottom right: One enduring remnant of Drennen's domain is the Crawford County Courthouse. One of the oldest active county courthouses west of the Mississippi River, the building testifies to Drennen's ability to influence government service.
Drennen sold Crawford County the square block on which the courthouse rests for one dollar. Drawing courtesy of University of Arkansas Libraries Special Collections
Erected by University of Arkansas - Fort Smith.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #12 Zachary Taylor series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.
Location. 35° 26.147′ N, 94° 21.587′ W. Marker is in Van Buren, Arkansas, in Crawford County. Marker can be reached from North 3rd Street, 0.1 miles south of Knox Street, on the right when traveling south. Located on the grounds of the Drennen Scott House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 221 North 3rd Street, Van Buren AR 72956, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Web of Enterprise (here, next to this marker); Van Buren Raid (a few steps from this marker); Gone but not forgotten (a few steps from this marker); CSI: Van Buren (within shouting distance of this marker); The Butterfield Stage Route (approx. ¼ mile away); Albert Pike School House (approx. ¼ mile away); First Three U.S. Deaths in WWI (approx. ¼ mile away); Crawford County Confederate Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Van Buren.
Also see . . . UAFS Drennen Scott House. Van Buren AK website entry (Submitted on July 19, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 19, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.