As I wrote in last week’s column, I took a trip to north Arkansas during my spring break. My first stop was the historic Oark General Store. Afterwards, I headed to Rogers to see what remains of the lost resort town of Monte Ne, which I wrote about in this column several months ago. Unfortunately, due to the high waters of Beaver Lake and the recent demolition of many of the major structures by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, there isn’t much to see.
The following day I decided to make a stop at one of my favorite state parks, Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, just outside of Fayetteville. The park was the site of a major conflict between Union and Confederate troops on Dec. 7, 1862.
The battle of Prairie Grove marked the deadliest day in Arkansas during the Civil War and was the last major Civil War engagement in northern Arkansas. The park is considered by many historians as one of America’s most intact and well-preserved Civil War battlefields.
In 1908, the United Daughters of the Confederacy purchased 9 acres where the battle was fought. The organization maintained the land as a meeting spot and held commemorations of the battle on the site for nearly 50 years.
A local businessman and state representative, J. Sherman Dill, sought money during the 38th Arkansas General Assembly to expand and make improvements to the park. Dill was successful in obtaining $10,000 in state funds, which helped pay for the construction of the stone archway at the park’s entrance, a wooden bandstand and a gravel driveway to the park. These additions and improvements were made in 1925. Unfortunately, due to the lack of money and maintenance, the park fell into disrepair during the Great Depression and was banned from public use for several years.
In 1953, the local chapter of the Lions Club adopted Prairie Grove Park and raised money through the community to clean up the park and build benches, picnic tables and sidewalks. In 1957, the 55-foot stone chimney from the nearby historic Rhea's Mill was moved to the park site as a monument honoring the fallen soldiers from the 1862 battle. Other historic buildings from the Prairie Grove area, including an 1834 log home and a blacksmith shop, were moved to the park site in the following years.
A museum interpreting the battle was built in the park at the urging of Biscoe Hindman. Hindman’s grandfather, Confederate Major-General Thomas C. Hindman, commanded the 1st Corps, Trans-Mississippi Army, during the battle of Prairie Grove. Later named Hindman Hall, the museum was officially dedicated in May 1964. The park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in September 1970. Prairie Grove Park was added to the Arkansas state park system in 1971 by then-Gov. Dale Bumpers.
Hindman Hall museum features several exhibits about the history of the battle, including artifacts recovered from the battle site. The museum was temporarily closed to the public in 2010 for renovations and reopened in 2012. Officially known today as Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, the park has expanded several times over the years through the acquisition and donation of land.
Now operated by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism, the park offers walking and driving tours, living history programs, and other special events. Arkansas’ largest Civil War battle reenactment takes place during even-numbered years on the first weekend in December. Admission to both the park and museum is free.
If Civil War history — particularly Arkansas Civil War history interests you — I can’t think of a better place to learn and experience it for yourself than at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park.
Comments
Post a Comment