1805 — 1840

—Frontier Settlement and Territorial Capitol —

In the early 1800's the land in front of you was an important
center of trade and government on the edge of the Arkansas River
wilderness. Here were the homes, stores, taverns, mills,
docks, and busy streets of the Post of Arkansas. This was
the capital of Arkansas Territory from its organization in
1819 until it moved to Little Rock in 1821. At the height of
the Post's importance in the 1820's and 1830's, the population
here was about 1,000.

What happened to the town? The Civil War forced river traffic to
cease, and in the resulting economic collapse, most residents left.
Bombardment by Union gunboats in 1863 destroyed much of the
village, and it did not recover after the war. Eventually railroads
and highways by-passed Arkansas Post, isolating it economically.
The Arkansas River has washed away part of the land where the
townsite stood.

Historic sites labeled here are located and described
by small markers. None of the structures remain standing
today. There were, of course, many other buildings,
including a law office, church, jail, blacksmith
shop, billiard parlor, and a girls' academy.

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Show me all markers in:  Gillett, AR  |  Arkansas County  |  72055  |  Arkansas  |  United States of America

First Post of Arkansas
The Arkansas Posts
The Colbert Raid
Edge of Empires
The Post of Arkansas
The European Settlement
Stone from Ruins of Old Bank
The Post under Spain
The French Period
Republican France

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