Arkansans have a soft spot for preservation and history. We all love a good story and being able to walk around in its original location is even better. One spot in the state is working on restoring an interesting site. Ravenden Springs is home to the oldest school in Arkansas. Let’s take a walk through a canyon and imagine what classes must have been like for the original students.

Historic preservation is a notable value of Arkansans. We have antique schoolhouses scattered around the state.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
This one is the restored Mt. Sherman School outside of Jasper. Originally built in the 1910s, the school had separate outhouses for the kids tucked away in the woods.
This schoolhouse is even older.
Flickr/AR Nature Gal
This particular one is a replica of the 1900 Redwine Pioneer Schoolhouse in Greenwood.
Could this one be the oldest school in Arkansas?
Flickr/MRHSfan
Close, but not quite. This is the Garrett Creek School House. It's been moved to Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park but it was originally used in the mid-1800s.
Tucked away in the northeast corner of the state resides the small town of Ravenden. About six miles north is an even tinier town known as Ravenden Springs.
Flickr/Teresa
It's about halfway between Hardy and Pocahontas.
At Ravenden Springs you'll find this small hollow down in Hall's Creek Canyon.
Facebook/Janes Creek Preservation Project
It may not look like much, but this is actually the oldest school known in Arkansas.

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Classes began in 1817.
Facebook/Janes Creek Preservation Project
The earliest known teacher in the area was Caleb Lindsey. He began teaching in the surrounding area in 1816. The school ran for the majority of the century.
Your parents may have walked uphill both ways to school but the original Ravenden Springs students may have them beat.
Facebook/Ravenden Springs Arkansas, 72460
Just imagine hiking through the canyon to reach your cave school.
The population of Ravenden Springs had been quite high at the time.
Facebook/Department of Arkansas Heritage
This was before the railroad was built about seven miles south of the community. Afterwards, the residents spread out to different towns.
The area was recently donated to the Arkansas Department of Heritage.
Facebook/Department of Arkansas Heritage
Clean-up efforts began earlier this month. The plan is to restore the cave to its more natural form and make it more accessible to visitors.
Current residents of the town are looking forward to the cave preservation underway.
Facebook/Ravenden Springs Arkansas, 72460
These efforts will hopefully inspire traveling Arkansans to come by and learn a little history as well as enjoy the scenic area.

Did you know the oldest school in Arkansas was held in a cave? Would you visit Ravenden Springs to see the finished restorations? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

Arkansas has all sorts of interesting cave trails you can take. Or, if you like the thought of a cave but not the exertion involving in spelunking, spend the night at this glamorous cave lodging.

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