The Spooky Arkansas Hike That Will Lead You Somewhere Deserted
By Carol Ann Carson|Published October 24, 2020
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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.
Arkansas is a state that prides itself on historical preservation. We have a variety of museums, state parks dedicated to archeological sites, and endless opportunities to learn about the obscure history that textbooks sometimes miss. Perhaps the best part of living in or near Arkansas is how accessible these historic treasures are – even without stepping into a building! Amidst the million miles of trails zigzagging throughout the state, there’s one we’re focusing on today for its somber history. Close to the Buffalo National River, less than 10 minutes from Erbie Campground, resides a historic homestead and adjacent cemetery. This settlement is long since abandoned but the ghosts of the past are preserved nevertheless.
Paddling isn't the only pastime when you're near the Upper District of the Buffalo National River.
Right in the middle of this Boxley-to-Carver stretch is the historic community of Erbie. Not much is left of this ghost town but the pieces that do remain are quite the sight!
West from the Erbie Campground is the Parker-Hickman Homestead.
This place is estimated to be the oldest still-standing log structure in the Buffalo National River area. The homestead was built between 1847 and 1849 by Alvin and Greenbury Parker. The homestead may have weathered over the decades but it's still open to visitors.
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The farm has a handful of buildings to explore, but that's not the end of the adventure.
The farmstead does feel somber but not sinister. It seems that the ghosts from the past here stay quiet; however, that doesn't ward off the chills from wandering around the farm.
It is a bit spooky but the signage does help to keep you from feeling completely cut off from civilization. This trail is part of the Buffalo River Trail, specifically the segment between Kyles Landing and Erbie Campground.
The loop leads to the abandoned Cherry Grove Cemetery.
Approximately 74 known gravesites rest here. There's no telling how many unmarked remains reside here though. Many of the graves belong to Parker family members dating around the 1870s.
The graves showcase a small slice of the hardships felt by settlers here.
Many of the graves are for children that only lived a few days. Others were causalities of the Civil War. Most of the graves are legible and one even states the departed was "killed by Confederates."
This deserted cemetery is just one of the more spooky spots of history around the Buffalo.
As with any trail, be sure to research before setting off.
Have you ventured to this homestead and cemetery before? Do you know about the other abandoned cemeteries scattered along the Buffalo National River? Share your historical findings in the comments below or add your photos to our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers.
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