Huntsville in Madison County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Isaac Murphy
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Governor Isaac Murphy
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 23, 2019
1. Isaac Murphy Marker
Front
Isaac Murphy was born Oct. 16, 1799, in Pennsylvania. A teacher and lawyer, he moved to Fayetteville in 1834 and became involved in politics. Murphy took part in the 1849 Gold Rush, but lost his farm to creditors. He, his wife and daughters moved to Huntsville in 1854. Murphy was elected to the February 1861 convention to consider secession, which declined to leave the Union. It reconvened in April after Ft. Sumter was attacked, and all but five members voted for secession. Four of them changed their votes. Murphy alone stood against disunion.
Reverse
After the 1861 secession convention, Isaac Murphy returned to Huntsville, receiving many death threats. He fled to the Union army that invaded Arkansas in early 1862, and accompanied the U.S. troops that took Little Rock Sept. 10, 1863. Murphy was named provisional governor in early 1864, and inaugurated to the post April 18, 1864. The staunch Unionist served until 1868, through the early stages of Reconstruction. He lived in Huntsville until his death on Sept. 8, 1882. Gov. Orval Faubus built his house
this page online
Erected 2013 by Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, City of Huntsville, Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council. (Marker Number 53.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1861.
Location. 36° 5.257′ N, 93° 44.185′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Arkansas, in Madison County. It is at the intersection of West War Eagle Avenue and West Main Street (U.S. 412), on the right when traveling west on West War Eagle Avenue. Located in Memorial Park across from the Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 112 West War Eagle Avenue, Huntsville AR 72740, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northwest Arkansas, on the Ozark Plateau, in the Cherokee Heritage Region, and in Osage Territory. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Ozarks. Globally, it is in North
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 23, 2019
2. Governor Isaac Murphy Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Huntsville Massacre (here, next to this marker); Madison County (within shouting distance of this marker).
Also see . . . Encyclopedia of Arkansas article on Issac Murphy. (Submitted on October 23, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 23, 2019
3. View of war memorial from marker in Memorial Park.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 23, 2019
4. Marker on left, with Madison County Courthouse in background.
Public domain
5. Isaac Murphy (October 16, 1799 or 1802 – September 8, 1882)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 673 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 23, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
