Jacksonport in Jackson County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Building the City

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 22, 2023

1. Building the City Marker

Inscription.
Thomas Todd Tunstall laid out the town of Jacksonport in the mid 1830s. He built a hotel and several businesses along the river front. By 1840, several buildings had been added. The town grew, and was incorporated on December 17, 1852.

In 1853 the county seat was moved here from Augusta, Arkansas. Jacksonport was at its peak in the decades just before and after the Civil War. As rail transportation increased, the importance of the river declined, as did Jacksonport.

Erected by Arkansas State Parks • Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is December 17, 1852.

Location. 35° 38.379′ N, 91° 18.655′ W. Marker is in Jacksonport, Arkansas, in Jackson County. It can be reached from the intersection of Avenue Street and Adams, on the right when traveling east. Marker located in Jacksonport State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newport AR 72112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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: Jacksonport in the Civil War (a few steps from this marker); Jackson Guards Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Jacksonport Civil War Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Jacksonport State Park

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Surrender at Jacksonport (within shouting distance of this marker); The Courthouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jackson County Courthouse (about 400 feet away); The Port of Jacksonport (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonport.

Also see . . . Jacksonport (Jackson County). Its location at the convergence of two navigable waterways enabled Jacksonport to thrive in a time when river transport was the most reliable method of transportation in Arkansas. (Adam Miller, Encyclopedia of Arkansas) (Submitted on April 27, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 22, 2023

2. Building the City Marker

Gibson’s Wagon Stock Factory image. Click for full size.

via Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Central Arkansas Library System (Public Domain), circa 1905

3. Gibson’s Wagon Stock Factory

The factory was a major employer in turn-of-the-century Jacksonport.

Jacksonport Street Scene image. Click for full size.

via Jacksonport State Park Collection (Public Domain), 1875

4. Jacksonport Street Scene

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 27, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.