Arkansas Post National Memorial in Arkansas County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

First Post of Arkansas

1686 — 1700

— The French Settlement of Henri de Tonti —

First Post of Arkansas Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 26, 2017

1. First Post of Arkansas Marker

Inscription. Spanish Explorer Hernan de Soto passed this way in 1542. Nearly 130 years later Father Marquette, the French missionary and explorer, reached the nearby mouth of the Arkansas. In 1682 Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle, claimed this territory for France. But not until 1686 did any European establish a settlement in the lower Mississippi Valley. La Salle's lieutenant, Henri de Tonti, settled the first Arkansas Post.

Tonti's post was perhaps only a mile or two from here on the banks of the Arkansas. The exact site is unknown. He called it Poste de Arkansea after the Arkancas (Quapaw) Indians with whom he traded. The small post survived fourteen years, strengthening France's claim to the lower Mississippi.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1542.

Location. 34° 0.946′ N, 91° 20.661′ 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 just southeast of the visitors center along

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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. American Townsite (within shouting distance of this marker); The Arkansas Posts (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Colbert Raid (about 500 feet away); Edge of Empires (about 500 feet away); The Post of Arkansas (approx. 0.2 miles away); The European Settlement (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stone from Ruins of Old Bank (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Post under Spain (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arkansas Post National Memorial.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on Henri de Tonti. (Submitted on September 17, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

First Post of Arkansas Marker on left near water. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 26, 2017

2. First Post of Arkansas Marker on left near water.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 26, 2017

3. First Post of Arkansas Marker

Painting of Henri de Tonti image. Click for full size.

Public domain

4. Painting of Henri de Tonti

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 383 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 17, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.