Pioneer Life: Washington State Park

Pioneer Life: Washington State Park

When I first suggested to Jason that we visit Washington State Park, he reminded me that my bar for these types of interpretive attractions is Williamsburg, Virginia, and Hope, Arkansas was a long way to go for possible disappointment.

I knew I was taking a risk. I was told Sturbridge, Massachusetts was like Williamsburg. Disappointed. Same with Plimoth Plantation. So, it was either three strikes I’m out or third time’s the charm. 

The town of Washington, Arkansas, current population 180, holds a pivotal place in Arkansas history. It was a stop along the southwest trail for pioneers and frontiersmen, including Jim Bowie, Sam Houton and Davy Crockett, on their way to Texas. Washington also served as the Confederate capital of Arkansas during the Civil War. The Washington Telegraph, established in 1840, was the only Confederate newspaper to continue to print through the Civil War and beyond, publishing its last edition in 1947. The railroad, and the neighboring town of Hope contributed to the slow decline of the city, but because of its historic significance to the state, the Pioneer Washington Restoration Foundation was formed in 1958 and in 1975, Washington was declared a Historic State Park.

The Visitor Center, housed in the former 1874 Hempstead County Courthouse building, is your first stop. There are several rooms of audio and visual exhibits, including the actual courtroom and Judge’s chambers. You can certainly wander the town itself, but to learn more about the town, it’s history and to tour the restored buildings, a ticket is required.

It was early when we arrived, and it seemed like we were the only two people there. Turns out, most of the visiting traffic is during the school year, on weekends and for special events (of which there are many), so we had what amounted to a quiet, personal tour. 

Different exhibits are open based on the day and the theme. We visited the Block-Catts residence, home to Abraham Block, the first Jewish settler in Arkansas, the Royston house, circa 1845, owned by one of 17 lawyers living in Washington in 1850, and the  Purdom House. At the Sanders  farm and homestead, we met Betty, the Sanders slave, who chatted with us since “Mistress Martha” had gone into town, and shockingly, in such heat, without her parasol.

We had lunch in the Williams Tavern Restaurant, built circa 1832. Southern hospitality and good home cooking were both on the menu. We enjoyed fried pickles,  Jason had a classic fried bologna sandwich with a side of fries and I had an awesome reuben with onion rings. The atmosphere was quaint and charming and the food delicious.

We saw the B.W. Edwards firearms collection, more than 200 pieces, the Printing office, with a superb collection of printing presses and a Lin-O-Type machine, and the James Black blacksmith shop. Black was the smith who forged the knife made famous by frontiersman, Jim Bowie.

So, no, it’s not Williamsburg, but Washington was charming, well managed and definitely worth the trip. It was an excellent representation of a prairie town and the daily lives of the pioneers who help expand our country westward.

To learn more about Washington, visit their website at http://www.historicwashingtonstatepark.com/