WATCH | Historic Washington State Park a step back in time

Outdoor writer and photographer Corbet Deary is featured regularly in The Sentinel-Record. Today, Deary takes readers on a journey to Historic Washington State Park.

I have recently written two destination articles featuring locations in the northwestern sections of Arkansas where Civil War battles unfolded.

Granted, both of these battlefields were of significance and are well known. However, that is no indication that the Civil War was exclusive to the Ozarks. In fact, the Union and Confederate soldiers locked horns at locations in southern and central Arkansas, as well.

There were also towns throughout the state that played an important role during this time of uncertainty, even though battles might not have ensued at their location.

Today’s destination is such a place. Located in the southwestern section of Arkansas, Historic Washington State Park not only features the town that served as the state’s Confederate capital, after Little Rock was taken over by the Union Army in 1863, but the facility shares other interesting facts pertaining to its rich history, as well.

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According to information posted on the Arkansas State Parks’ website, “Historic Washington offers insight into a 19th-century community and a glimpse at the people and events of the Territorial, Antebellum, Civil War and Reconstruction eras in Arkansas’ history.”

To be more specific, the state park mostly focuses on the town’s history from the mid-1820s to the late 1880s.

The town was established in 1824 and was visited by many traveling to Texas via the Southwest Trail. The young town experienced its fair share of growth.

The town’s economy was dependent upon agriculture. Cotton and corn grew well in the fertile soil, while others raised livestock. But not everyone farmed, as a diversity of professionals were taking advantage of the growth, as well. In fact, by 1860, doctors, lawyers carriage makers, blacksmiths printers, carpenters and hotel keepers hung their shingles in the town and its outskirts. And an education was certainly obtainable, as nine teachers also called the town home.

Washington continued to prosper during the Civil War. Several folks who were destined to become historic figures graced its streets, from time to time, during its heyday.

According to the State Parks brochure, Davey Crockett and Sam Houston traveled through the town, as did Jim Bowie. In fact, a local blacksmith by the name of James Black was responsible for forging one of the first Bowie knives.

However, Washington was no different from many of the towns throughout Arkansas that thrived during this era; the town lost its vigor upon being bypassed by the railroad.

The beginning of the end transpired in 1874 and to add salt to the wound, more than four blocks of the business district were destroyed by fire only one year later. Yet another fire consumed 24 more businesses eight years later. The town and its citizens had certainly experienced their fair share of hardships. However, they still managed to stay afloat.

Locals likely experienced a boost in morale when the Arkansas Legislature approved $5,000 for funding the restoration of Arkansas’ Confederate capital in 1929. And the citizens of the town formed the Pioneer Washington Restoration Foundation in 1958, in effort to preserve the historic structures.

Old Washington State Park was established in 1973, and the name was changed to Historic Washington State Park in 2006. Other organizations have also played significant roles in the preservation of the town’s rich history since it was deemed a state park. These organizations and those who presently call Washington home work hand-in-hand at present “to preserve and interpret the town’s 19th-century story.”

So just what should those who plan to visit Historic Washington State Park expect to experience? Well, in a nutshell, one should prepare themselves for the rare opportunity to tour a city and landscape that is comparable to how Washington might have appeared during the 19th century.

One might consider beginning their tour at the visitor center. Seldom have I stopped in at an Arkansas State Park Visitor Center that I didn’t find it educational. However, this particular structure certainly sports a rich history. In fact, the building served as the Hempstead County Courthouse from 1874 through 1939.

One is likely to enjoy a tour of the entire courthouse. However, I found the actual courtroom to be most intriguing. And to top it all off, the state park hosts “Trial by Jury” at the courtroom on specific dates, lending to the opportunity for visitors to participate in a mock trial by serving as jurors. Although I have yet to participate, I do hope to join in on the fun in the future. Their next “Trial by Jury” is scheduled for May 6.

There are a number of other structures throughout the town/state park that visitors might find of interest. I have always gravitated toward the B.W. Edwards Weapons Museum.

The former bank features an impressive exhibit of various firearms, most of which were collected by B.W. Edwards. The building contractor managed to collect more than 600 weapons prior to his death.

I have visited the museum several times throughout the years and have never grown tired of admiring firearms dating as far back as matchlocks, flintlocks and muskets. Many rifles, shotguns and revolvers are also on display as is a Bowie knife collection.

However, I was somewhat disappointed during my most recent visit, as the structure is presently being renovated and is closed until the project’s end.

The Blacksmith Shop is yet another popular exhibit. The interpretive exhibit sports two functional forges. And I wouldn’t be surprised if those visiting leave the log structure with a better knowledge and appreciation of a fella by the name of James Black, who is credited with forging one of the original Bowie Knives nearly 200 years ago.

The Print Museum provides visitors with examples of printing presses and linotypes that were used during the 19th and early 20th century. One will likely leave this building with a better understanding and appreciation for the history of the occupation.

The Purdom House is where Dr. James Purdom hung a shingle in 1845 and continued practicing medicine until his death in 1866. The structure was restored in 1978 and features the practice of medicine during the 1800s.

There are a number of impressive buildings that served as homes and businesses throughout the park. However, the Royston Log Cabin is likely a greater representation of how the average Joe lived back in the day.

The cabin was built in 1835 and was originally located northeast of Washington on the Grandison Royston Plantation. However, the structure was moved to the state park and restored in 1986.

The Washington Presbyterian Church has an interesting story to tell. The church that is presently on site was built in 1889 following a fire that consumed the original structure. A tornado rolled through the town in 1907, lifting the building off its foundation and relocating it in the street.

Locals managed to pull the structure back to its original location via teams of mules. The building is presently rented out for public events.

The aforementioned interpretive stations are but a few that await visitors at the state park. In fact, there are 47 different sites that folks might find of interest. Of course, most of these interpretive stations consist of structures that are true to the era. But one might also find themselves intrigued by the cemetery and several huge trees of various species growing throughout the town, as well.

I have visited Historic Washington State Park several times throughout the years and have yet to be disappointed. In fact, it is already on my list of things to do and places to see during future excursions to the southwest section of Arkansas.

To get to the state park from Hot Springs, travel approximately 26 miles on Highway 7 south, toward Arkadelphia, and turn right to merge onto Interstate 30 west at Caddo Valley. Drive 47 miles and take Exit 30 onto Highway 278 toward Nashville.

Go 0.4 miles and take a right onto North Hervy Street, toward Nashville. Go 1.1 miles and continue straight onto Highway 278 west. Travel 6.9 miles and turn left onto Highway 195 south. Go 300 feet and make a right-hand turn onto Morrison. Travel 30 feet and the destination will be on the right.