This Historic Park Is One Of Arkansas' Best Kept Secrets
By Carol Ann Carson|Published November 24, 2018
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
It seems that travelers to today’s state park fall into two categories. They’re either from around the area so naturally, it makes sense to visit; or, they’re dedicated folks working towards seeing all 52 state parks on their Arkansas bucket list. Both are completely valid reasons to come to the park but today we’re hoping to spread the word about southern Arkansas’ (not so) best-kept secret. Let’s feel like we’ve traveled back in time as we scroll through the Historic Washington State Park.
It may not be the first one to come to mind when thinking of Arkansas state parks but the Historic Washington State Park is an underrated treasure.
The park has the largest collection of pioneer-era buildings in the entire state. All of the old homesteads, courthouses, and work buildings showcase pioneer culture from 1824 to 1889. It was during this time that Washington was a central hub for folks (including Davy Crockett) traveling the Southwest Trail to Texas.
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The park is more than just walk-through history lessons, though.
Dip your own souvenir at the Candle Shop or watch the early 19th-century printing press in action. The park also has basket weaving and weaving on a loom, too.
Besides just being a fascinating trade to watch in person, Washington is also the blacksmith's of the Bowie knife. Their most famous blacksmith, James Black, forged one of the original Bowie knives for James "Jim" Bowie in the early 1830s. After visiting the forge, stop by the B.W. Edwards Museum. You'll see more knives as well as a 600-plus piece collection of muskets, rifles, revolvers, and more.
After you've studied all the trades, be sure to stop by the Williams Tavern.
Every year the park hosts the Jonquil Festival in March. The thousands of blooming jonquils were originally planted by traveling pioneers and it's a magical sight to see in the spring. The park is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also follow this link for more information.
What’s your favorite building to visit at the Historic Washington State Park? Share yours with us in the comments below!
If you are working on your 52 state park bucket list, be sure to hit these underrated parks!
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