Pre

Tour

Pre-Statehood Structures Still Standing in NW Arkansas

Introduction. Most of the land development in the Arkansas Territory before 1836 was in the eastern section. There were two reasons for this: one, the land was flat, and was close to both the Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers; whereas the western counterpart was mountainous and thick with trees. The second reason the western part of the territory was slower to be occupied than the eastern part were the many Indian settlements still in existence. But as the white man pushed their way further into the Indian Territories (created by so-called Treaty promises), they demanded their national government to push the Indians out of their way.

In 1828, the Cherokees were forced again to move west, this time to the Oklahoma Territory. The border line which ran north of Fort Smith came about as result of the Lovely Purchase (another Indian Treaty). This line would later become the basis for the western border when Arkansas would apply for statehood in 1836. The Lovely Purchase allowed squatters to legally claim land (History of Washington County, p. 80).

There are only three structures in NW Arkansas which we could find that are still standing dating back to the early to mid 1830’s:

Latta House (Prairie Grove, 1832)

Methodist Manse (Cane Hill, 1834)

Ridge House (Fayetteville, 1836)

Cane Hill College is also mentioned here as well because it was established in 1834. It later was burned to the ground by the Federal Army during the Civil War, was rebuilt, and today is known as Cane Hill College Museum.

Sager Cabin is listed here as well because of its historical significance and excellent original structural existence (though restored). It is located in Siloam Springs.

Continue Tour