Dr. Thomas William Hardison was a resident of Petit Jean
Mountain for nearly half a century: Struck by the beauty and
natural wonders of the land, he was among the first to
imagine creating a park here to preserve its pristine grandeur
for . . . — — Map (db m233669) HM
The seat of justice for Conway County was first established in 1825, at the old town of Cadron, which had been the first county seat of Pulaski County. The County of Conway was named for Congressmen Henry Warton Conway. — — Map (db m237025) HM
Freedom is Not Free
The General William Lewis Chapter DAR
honors
All Veterans of
the Korean War
1950 – 1953
Marker placed December 31, 2002 — — Map (db m237021) WM
In honor of the men and
women of Conway County
who served in the armed
forces and sacrificed
unselfishly for the
freedom of the United
States of America — — Map (db m237019) WM
Vietnam Era
August 5, 1964 May 7, 1975
This plaque is in remembrance and honor of the Vietnam War veterans from Conway County, Arkansas and commemorates the courageous service and dedication these veterans gave for their
country. Special . . . — — Map (db m237005) WM
Erected in 2007 by Chapter 13 Disabled American Veterans
In memory and honor of all who served in World War I.
Doughboys
World War I, The War to End All Wars
The yanks are coming, the yanks are coming
and we won't be back till it's . . . — — Map (db m237004) WM
Erected in 2003 by Chapter 13 Disabled American Veterans
In memory and honor of all who served in World War II
Disabled American Veterans Chapter 13 Officers
Commander Pat Calhoun • Adjutant Rafel Brents • Service Officer Herb . . . — — Map (db m237029) WM
During the Civil War, first Confederate units and later Union units occupied and fought at and near Lewisburg. Confederate units included the Co. A of the 17th Arkansas Infantry, which was enlisted at Lewisburg in Oct. 1861, and the 18th Arkansas . . . — — Map (db m237032) HM
While a Confederate unit, the Conway Mounted Rifles, formed at Lewisburg in May 1861, the town was a Union base for much of the war. A garrison was established Sept. 28, 1863, and Col. Abraham H. Ryan recruited the 3rd Arkansas Cavalry (U.S.) there. . . . — — Map (db m170456) HM
These stones memorialize Old Lewisburg .
First trading post of Conway County .
Established 1825 by Stephen D. Lewis .
Made county seat 1831 to 1850
again 1873 to 1884 .
Incorporated 1844 . — — Map (db m170957) HM
This cabin was built in 1845 by John Walker, the second white settler on Petit Jean Mt. In 1854 it became the home of Owen & Jane West, a young couple who reared a family of 9 children, 5 of whom were born in this cabin without medical aid. . . . — — Map (db m233677) HM
Lewisburg A trading post and steamboat landing was founded near here in 1825 by Major William Lewis, his son Stephen D. Lewis and Dr. Nimrod Manifee. The location gave them land and river access. A town grew up around the trading post and . . . — — Map (db m237068) HM
Side 1
Conway County in the Civil War
Conway County men served in both the Union and Confederate armies in the Civil War. Co. I, 1st Arkansas Mounted Rifles, Co. B, Carroll’s Cavalry, Co. I, 36th Arkansas Infantry, . . . — — Map (db m96451) HM
The Arkansas River below you has a long history and continues to flow through time.
Bernard de La Harpe, the first European known
to explore the Arkansas River, arrived here in
1722. His expedition was commissioned by France
to establish . . . — — Map (db m233664) HM
Stout's Point provides a dramatic overlook of the Arkansas River, the water route
of the Congressionally-designated Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.
What is the Trail of Tears?
After passage of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, . . . — — Map (db m233662) HM
During the "roaring twenties" and the following decade of the Great Depression, this location on Petit Jean Mountain,
known as Stout's Point, saw changes that would influence the history of Petit Jean State Park.
In 1920, the Morrilton Chamber . . . — — Map (db m233668) HM
William Cummings Stout
(1824-1886)
In 1849, William Cummings Stout
was the first Arkansan ordained as
a priest of the Episcopal Church.
In 1855, he and his wife purchased
5000 acres spanning both sides of
the Arkansas River beginning . . . — — Map (db m233667) HM
One of the most captivating legends in Arkansas folklore
is the romantic tale of the mountain's namesake.
According to local legend, during the 18th century, a French
nobleman named Chavet was granted an expedition to explore.
uncharted . . . — — Map (db m233666) HM
You are standing in a place that inspired establishment of
Petit Jean State Park and the entire Arkansas State Parks system.
A Lasting Legacy
Dr. T. W. Hardison is considered the father of
Arkansas State Parks. A long time resident . . . — — Map (db m233680) HM
When the Civilian Conservation Corps worked at Petit Jean in the 1930s, Dionicio Rodríguez, a
Mexican-born artist, sculpted this small bridge above a goldfish pond in a flower garden. He also
sculpted a flower basket that is in rubble on the north . . . — — Map (db m233676) HM
This statue honors Civilian Conservation Corps
Company V-1781. these skilled veterans of World War
One built Arkansas's first state park. — — Map (db m233674) HM WM
Davies Bridge, a sturdy Rustic-style structure, stands today as an emblem of the park's Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC) heritage and the Davies family's contributions to Arkansas State Parks.
In 1932, Samuel G. Davies, a graduate of . . . — — Map (db m233672) HM
Through time, Cedar Falls has cut through vast layers of
sandstone, creating Cedar Creek Canyon which reaches a
depth of 400 feet.
The rock layer capping Petit Jean Mountain is sandstone, an
ancient sedimentary formation deposited as sand in a . . . — — Map (db m233681) HM
A glimpse of Arkansas's Prehistoric Heritage
The prehistoric rock art in Rock House Cave is
part of our heritage that can never be replaced.
Once it is gone, it is gone forever. It is up to us
to preserve these images for as long as . . . — — Map (db m233671) HM
As you explore these unique structures around Petit Jean State Park,
you will find that nature and history are strongly connected here.
Rock House Cave - Explore this sandstone
bluff shelter and look for ancient Native
American . . . — — Map (db m233679) HM
Company V-1781 was the
designation of Petit Jean's CCC.
camp. The "V" indicated the
company employed World War I
veterans. The situation was
relatively unique: only 10 percent
of CCC camps around the United
States were veteran camps. . . . — — Map (db m233675) HM
Formed over eons, this inspiring landscape offers us a sense of wonder.
The landscape of Petit Jean State Park reveals a
story of stone, weather, and time.
Much of Petit Jean's exceptional landscape results from
earthen rock . . . — — Map (db m233687) HM
Exploring the geologic story here connects you with Petit Jean Mountain
Lepidodendron
One of the dominant tree-like plants of
either the Carboniferous Period (359-299
million years ago) or the late
Pennsylvanian Period (323-299 . . . — — Map (db m233678) HM
Following the stock market
crash of 1929, the United States
plunged into the depths of the
Great Depression. By 1932, the
unemployment rate was a
staggering 23%. Over 13 million
Americans had lost their jobs.
In a landslide victory, . . . — — Map (db m233673) HM
