Murfreesboro in Pike County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Amarillo Starlight
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, May 29, 2025
1. Amarillo Starlight Marker
16.37 carats (rough)
7.54 carats (cut)
Near here on August 20, 1975, W.W. Johnson, of Amarillo, Texas, found the largest diamond recorded since the Crater of Diamonds became an Arkansas State Park in 1972.
While resting under a shade tree, Johnson saw the sun glinting off of something about 30 feet away and picked up a quarter-sized diamond that had been unearthed by recent rainstorms. He did not realize the significance of what he had found until he learned that it was bigger than the 15.36-carat Star of Arkansas, which was discovered in 1956.
For a while Johnson rented his rough diamond to museums for $300 to $500 a week. He later had it cut into a marquise-shape gem, which was valued at more than $150,000.
Erected by Crater of Diamonds Arkansas State Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Resources • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is August 20, 1975.
Location. 34° 1.964′ N, 93° 40.367′ W. Marker is in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, in Pike County. It is on State Park Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:
this page online
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 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: Okie Dokie (within shouting distance of this marker); Schall Diamond (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Uncle Sam (about 300 feet away); A Multifaceted History (about 400 feet away); End of a Mystery: What is Below the Surface? (about 400 feet away); Star of Arkansas (about 400 feet away); Mine Shaft / Guard House (about 500 feet away); John Wesley Huddleston (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murfreesboro.
More about this marker.
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, May 29, 2025
2. Amarillo Starlight Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2025, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 399 times since then and 221 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 6, 2025, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.
