Clarksville in Johnson County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Johnson County First Anthracite Coal

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 3, 2016

1. Johnson County First Anthracite Coal Marker

Inscription. The first anthracite coal was mined near here on the land of E.B. Alston by a Mr. Walker in 1840. Sample of coal were taken to Little Rock and examined by William E. Woodruff, who pronounced it superior to that found in Pennsylvania. Mr. Walker went east to get men who were skilled in mining. In 1841, $150,000 worth of coal was ready for shipment by boat.

Erected 1936 by Arkansas Centennial Comm., Arkansas History Comm. (Marker Number C-23.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Resources • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Arkansas Centennial Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.

Location. 35° 28.264′ N, 93° 27.903′ W. Marker is in Clarksville, Arkansas, in Johnson County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street (U.S. 64) and South Fulton Street, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 215 West Main Street, Clarksville AR 72830, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas River Valley

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and in the Cherokee Heritage Region.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ozarks.

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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lone Pine School Bell (here, next to this marker); Clarksville in the Civil War / Depredations (here, next to this marker); Missouri-Pacific Depot - Clarksville (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. A.M. McKennon Home (approx. ¼ mile away); B.D. Pennington House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fremont Stokes House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Clarksville Confederate Monument (approx. 0.7 miles away); Harmony Presbyterian Church (approx. 7.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clarksville.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 8, 2007

2. Johnson County First Anthracite Coal Marker

Older photo of marker before later being refurbished.

Johnson County Courthouse & marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 3, 2016

3. Johnson County Courthouse & marker.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 8, 2007

4. Johnson County First Anthracite Coal Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 733 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 9, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 2. submitted on July 1, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. 3. submitted on August 9, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4. submitted on July 1, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia.