Murfreesboro in Pike County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

A Multifaceted History

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, May 29, 2025

1. A Multifaceted History Marker

Inscription. The history of commercial diamond mining in Arkansas is complex and fascinating. Through much of the 20th century, the land that makes up today's diamond search area was divided. It was bought, sold, and leased numerous times.

Local farmer John Huddleston once owned the larger southern portion of the diamond-bearing crater. After finding diamonds here in 1906, Huddleston sold his farmland to a group of investors who incorporated the Arkansas Diamond Company, the first of many organized mining ventures in this area.

Millard Maunty, Huddleston's neighbor to the north, also owned several diamond-bearing acres. Mauney mined a portion of his land with his sons and leased other sections to commercial mining interests such as Austin Millar and his son Howard.

The Millars founded the Kimberlite Diamond Mining and Washing Company in 1911 and mined diamonds in Arkansas for more than 50 years. The restored mineshaft building to the north covers a collapsed 60-foot-deep shaft that Austin Millar reportedly dug to search for diamonds below the surface.

Today, Crater of Diamonds State Park is still home to historical

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

sites, including the mineshaft building and Martin Plant foundation, which represent more than 50 years of commercial diamond mining, Interactive exhibits in the visitor center- museum offer more insight into the unique history of diamond mining in Arkansas.

Erected by Crater of Diamonds Arkansas State Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Features • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 34° 2.02′ N, 93° 40.349′ W. Marker is in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, in Pike County. It can be reached from State Park Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 209 State Park Road, Murfreesboro AR 71958, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arkansas’ Ouachita Mountains

and in Caddo Territory.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, May 29, 2025

2. A Multifaceted History Marker

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: End of a Mystery: What is Below the Surface? (within shouting distance of this marker); Star of Arkansas (within shouting distance of this marker); Mine Shaft / Guard House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Amarillo Starlight (about 400 feet away); Uncle Sam (about 400 feet away); John Wesley Huddleston (about 500 feet away); James "Diamond Jim" Archer (about 500 feet away); Okie Dokie (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murfreesboro.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2025, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 4, 2025, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.