Near Holly Grove in Monroe County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

The Swamp

— Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2015

1. The Swamp Marker

Inscription. Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park is situated in an unusual habitat — a "headwater" swamp. This swamp differs greatly from the more common "backwater" swamps. Found within the floodplain zones of large streams and rivers, backwater swamps respond to fluctuating water levels with alternate periods of flooding and drying. In contrast, headwater swamps, usually located in the upper reaches of streams or rivers, seldom flood deeply, yet rarely dry up.

Before the days of wholesale drainage and clearing, headwater swamps were common in eastern Arkansas. Though these areas posed hardships for the early settlers, they were relatively easy to drain and clear for cultivation. This trend continues even today and is the primary reason they are fast disappearing.

As you move along the boardwalk, take a moment to look at the unusual plants and listen to the sounds of life in the swamp.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 34° 38.708′ N, 91° 3.195′ W. Marker is near Holly Grove, Arkansas, in Monroe County. It can be reached from State Highway 362 1.8 miles east of U.S. 49. Marker is located

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along the swamp boardwalk in Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Holly Grove AR 72069, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas Delta

and in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mississippi Delta.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Louisiana Territory: 1682-1800 (within shouting distance of this marker); Louisiana Purchase State Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Purchase: 1801-1803 (within shouting distance of this marker); Life in the Swamp (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Survey: 1815 (about 400 feet away); Two Lines Mark the Future of the United States (about 400 feet away); The Opening of the American West (about 400 feet away); Initial Point of the Louisiana Purchase Survey (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Holly Grove.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park

Also see . . . Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park. Arkansas website entry (Submitted on June 8, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2015

2. The Swamp Marker

(looking from boardwalk into the swamp)

Cypress Swamp image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2015

3. Cypress Swamp

(view of cypress swamp near marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 598 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.