On South 3rd Street at Main Street, on the left when traveling south on South 3rd Street.
In this small log building Albert Pike noted lawyer, poet and mason taught school in 1832. He later went to Little Rock to become editor of the Advocate. — — Map (db m96857) HM
On Main Street (Arkansas Route 59) 0.1 miles west of North 11th Street, on the right when traveling west.
Camp Jesse Turner, located on Pickett Hill on the east side
of Van Buren (Crawford County), was a small, specialized
railroad training camp for soldiers to learn to operate
railroads captured in enemy territory, worldwide, during
World War II. . . . — — Map (db m244063) HM
On South 4th Street south of East Main Street, on the right when traveling south.
The companies of soldiers that came out
of Van Buren were formed at this historic
landmark. It is also the site where some
infantry and Calvary units camped and
drilled. There were nine different
companies that were formed in . . . — — Map (db m96864) HM
On Main Street east of South 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east.
[Northwest face]
1899
Furled but not forgotten
1861 C.S.A. 1865
Erected by the Mary Lee Chapter
United Daughters of the Confederacy
[Southwest face]
Battles
Oak Hill – Aug. 10, 1861.
Elk Horn – March 6 to 8, 1862. . . . — — Map (db m236850) WM
On Main Street at South 4th Street, on the left when traveling west on Main Street.
Remember those who served
and those who died
Killed in Action
Maj. Walter Hugh Moon
Capt. Jimmy Cartwright
LCpl. Roger Dale Cecil
LCpl. Billy Dale Livingston
SSgt. Samuel Ray Nixon
PFC. Jewel Lee Rainwater
GMG1 Arthur C. . . . — — Map (db m100703) WM
On South 4th Street at Webster Street, on the left when traveling north on South 4th Street.
On this lawn
was erected our first
Courthouse in 1841 and
has been the scene for many
events during the wars
in which Crawford County boys fought.
Mexican War, 1846.
War Between the States, 1861-1865.
Spanish American War, 1898. . . . — — Map (db m96859) WM
Near North 3rd Street, 0.1 miles south of Knox Street, on the right when traveling south.
Using advanced technology to understand the past.
Like the methods of Crime Scene Investigators, science provides a variety of ways to look beneath the surface of the Drennen House grounds for evidence of the past. Techniques like . . . — — Map (db m120491) HM
Near Fayetteville Road (State Highway 59) south of McKibben Street, on the left when traveling south.
The Battle of Prairie Grove was a grim moment for the Confederate Army. This conflict severed all chances for the South to use Northwest Arkansas as a route to invade Missouri. The shattered and defeated soldiers retreated from Prairie Grove to Van . . . — — Map (db m96617) HM WM
Near Fayetteville Road (State Highway 59) south of McKibben Street, on the right when traveling south.
Erected in memory of
our Confederate soldiers
from Ark., Tex., La., Mo., and
Indian territory,
who lost their lives in the
Battles of Oak Hill, Elk Horn,
and Prairie Grove. — — Map (db m96632) WM
In memory of
Merle D. Hay
Thomas Enwright
James B. Gresham
They were the first members of
the Expeditionary Army of the
United States in France to die
that we might live
stricken on the field of glory,
November 3, . . . — — Map (db m96633) WM
On Main Street (Arkansas Route 59) west of North 11th Street, on the right when traveling west.
Freedom of Speech • Freedom of Worship
Freedom from Want • Freedom from Fear
This park, "Freedom Park" embodies the spirit of "Four Freedoms" by Norman Rockwell. Elements of the park were designed to reflect each of the Freedoms. The . . . — — Map (db m244099) HM
On Main Street (Arkansas Route 59) west of North 11th Street, on the right when traveling west.
GFWC Women's League of Van Buren
Proudly Dedicates this Clock as a Symbol of our Appreciation to all Veterans.
May it Stand to Honor all the Men and Women of the Military who have Bravely Served
and their Families who have Sacrificed so . . . — — Map (db m244105) WM
Near North 3rd Street, 0.1 miles Knox Street, on the right when traveling south.
There is no doubt that other structures,
demolished at some point in the family's history,
stood on the Drennen-Scott property.
Like many wealthy 19th-century households, this one had privies, a well, smokehouse, carriage house, . . . — — Map (db m120515) HM
On South 4th Street at East Main Street, on the right when traveling south on South 4th Street.
Hebe, Greek goddess of youth and happiness was placed in her fountain on the Crawford County Courthouse lawn in 1908 by the Women's Village Improvement Society.
Repairs were made to both Hebe and fountain in memory of Robert Benham who served . . . — — Map (db m97670) HM
On Fayetteville Road (State Highway 59) south of Hynes Street, on the right when traveling south.
The residents of Log Town were witness to the retreat of the Rebel army through Van Buren and onward through their settlement. High on Log Town Hill the community watched as masses of Southern soldiers crowded the hill trying desperately to reach . . . — — Map (db m96614) HM
Near North 3rd Street, 0.1 miles south of Knox Street, on the right when traveling south.
From the front of his home, John Drennen could overlook the bustling port town of Van Buren, including the wharf originally known as Phillips Landing.
Until after the Civil War, the Arkansas River and the steamboats that plied its . . . — — Map (db m120427) HM
On Main Street at South 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.
The Butterfield stage route
between Saint Louis and San
Francisco passed through the
main street of Van Buren,
Arkansas and crossed the
river at this point.
— — Map (db m96457) HM
On Fayetteville Road (Arkansas Route 59) south of McKinney Street, on the left when traveling south.
Brig. General Francis J. Herron
Herron was Blunt's aggressive and bold subordinate, "they
cooperate well, and handle the rebels without gloves," declared
a Union officer. He led the Second and Third (Missouri) Divisions,
and was ready . . . — — Map (db m243979) HM
On Main Street at Cane Hill Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street.
This active and restored railroad depot, completed
around 1902 by the Frisco Railroad Company, stands
as a living memorial to the entrepreneurial spirit and
the great periods of commerce that railroads brought
to our city.
As early as . . . — — Map (db m243970) HM
On Main Street at Fayetteville Road, on the right when traveling west on Main Street.
By a natural turn in the Arkansas River, Van Buren began at
the water's edge in 1818, straight down this hill. So, the first
muddy trail from the river came directly and in directly to this
spot - and became the hub of activity for Van Buren and . . . — — Map (db m243972) HM
On Main Street (Arkansas Route 59) west of North 11th Street, on the right when traveling west.
The Blue Star Service Flag
The Blue Star Service Flag became a symbol of pride, honor and
service for families during World War I. Each blue star represented
a member of their family who was serving in the armed forces and
the . . . — — Map (db m244103) HM
On Fayetteville Road (Arkansas Route 59) south of McKinney Street, on the left when traveling south.
Sunday, December 28, 1862
The day started like any other cold December Sunday, by nightfall, Van Buren's citizens would know everything had changed. The Civil War had come home.
As they came out of church and made their way toward home . . . — — Map (db m243975) HM
Near North 3rd Street, 0.1 miles south of Knox Street, on the left when traveling south.
After the Dec. 7, 1862, Battle of Prairie Grove, the Union Frontier Division set out to strike Confederate forces on the Arkansas River. On Dec. 27, 8,000 Union troops headed south through the Boston Mountains. They hit Van Buren on Dec. 28 and . . . — — Map (db m119954) HM
On Main Street (Arkansas Route 59) east of Cane Hill Street, on the right when traveling east.
The military history of the United States spans a period of more than two centuries. During these years, the United States evolved from a new nation fighting Great Britain for independence (1775-1783), through the monumental American Civil War . . . — — Map (db m244110) HM WM
Near North 3rd Street, 0.1 miles south of Knox Street, on the right when traveling south.
John Drennen made profitable choices during his diverse professional life as merchant, bank trustee, plantation owner, and Indian agent.
He linked his future to the fledgling town of Van Buren, and built his family home here, . . . — — Map (db m120426) HM
