Lewis deMun
deMun, a French aristocrat (Chevalier or Knight), emigrated to the U.S. in the 1790s. A trained draftsman, he became the right hand man of Benjamin Latrobe, architect of the U.S. Capitol. deMun oversaw the construction of the west wing of the Capitol building as well as other structures in the capital and the Baltimore Cathedral.
While in Washington D.C. deMun became associated with Vice President Aaron Burr. He became involved with Burr's plans (which remain unclear) in the newly purchased Louisiana Territory. When Burr was put on trial for treason (he was acquitted), deMun relocated to the wilderness–his family owned hundreds of acres in south central Randolph County.
In 1813, deMun established deMun Mills on the Mill Creek in what's now south Pocahontas. This included the first grist mill in what would become Arkansas.
In 1815, he was appointed as administrator of Lawrence
County, Missouri territory-a vast area from which
44 counties in north Arkansas and southern Missouri
would later be formed. He chose a spot near his
family lands in what became Randolph County for
the County Seat of the new county. This became
the town of Davidsonville, eight miles south of
Pocahontas. He was also Commander of the Militia
in the county. deMun township is named for him.
Topics. This historical marker
this page online
Location. 36° 15.678′ N, 90° 58.201′ W. Marker is in Pocahontas, Arkansas, in Randolph County. Marker is on North Bettis Street north of State Route 90, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 E Everett St, Pocahontas AR 72455, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Capture of Missouri "Swamp Fox" (a few steps from this marker); The Old Randolph County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Site of the St. Charles Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Randolph County Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); American Civil War Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Futrell Pharmacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir Henry Morton Stanley (within shouting distance of this marker); Sanitary Barber Shop (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pocahontas.
Also see . . . Blog post on the life of Lewis deMun. (Submitted on April 6, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 201 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 6, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
