Semiquincentennial Marker Placed

Friday, March 6, lots of sunshine, the promise of cake (made by Tripp’s eats and sweets of Gillett) and a sandwiching in History Tour and marker unveiling brought over 100 people out to Arkansas Post State Park.

Maria Jacksson, Manager of Ark/ Post State Park, met me at the office and gave me the grand tour. There are five cases depicting the Civil War clothing, new pictures and arrangements just to celebrate the Semiquinentennial, 250th birthday.

Jackson said, “There will be the Division of Arkansas Heritage (DAH), a part of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. They will be unveiling the marker.”

Marty Ryall, Director, Shea Lewis, Secretary and members Col. Travis G. Beeson, Christina Berner, Judge Dale James, Cathy Boozman, Sharri Jones, Valorie Laeson, Col. Joe Lynch, Tanya Minsm Mayor Richard McCormac, Ebody Mitchell, Dr. Ken Warden, Dr. David Ware and Jan Zimmerman make up the Arkansas 250 Commission. Their goal is to continue the tradition of installing historical markers to recognize the state’s most significant historic sights.

A set of 11 historical markers have been made (by Sewah Studios of Ohio, owned by a native Stuttgart, Arkansan) and will be placed at these locations: Arkansas Post State Park, Old State House, Buffalo River, Louisiana Purchase, Crater of Diamonds, Bauxite (WWII), Daisy Bates House, Hattie Wyatt Caraway,  (Jonesboro), WalMart (Rogers), Quapaw Treaty of and Petit Jean State Park. The Arkansas Post marker starts with the Founding of Arkansas Post by France in 1686, to present day.

Most of the DAH Commissioners were on hand   for the unveiling to answer questions and eat cake. The tour began at 11:55 a.m. Ashley Sides, Preservation Outreach Coordinator was the speaker. This bit of history of Arkansas Post began with the Native Americans and ended in 1977 when Arkansas Post State Park became the 51st State Park. Sides made one comment everyone should hear, “Why should we preserve History? Because the stories of the past have shaped the world we live in today. We learn from the past, from our predecessors’ “achievements” and their “mistakes”. Forget the past and we will make those mistakes over again.“

Sandwiching in History is a part of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program under the Arkansas Heritage Department. Since 1977 AHPP has led free public tours of history. They start at 12 noon on the first Friday of the month and last about 30-45 minutes. This is an opportunity to sandwich a bit of history into your day, during your lunch break. Tours can also be seen on AHPP’s Facebook page, YouTube, X and Instagram.