Powhatan Historic State Park

Powhatan Historic State Park is a small open-air museum with buildings from the 1800s positioned along the Black River. The site includes a courthouse, jail, schoolhouse, and homes that show what an earlier settlement looked like.

The settlement was named after a Native American leader in 1837 and grew because of river transportation. Its importance declined after 1883 when a railroad was built and replaced river trade.

The place shows how people lived and worked together in this region during the 1800s. You can see traces of daily community life through the way buildings are arranged and what they contain.

The grounds are small and easy to explore on foot, with paths leading to all the buildings. There are information signs and guided tours available to help you understand the different structures and their past.

One interesting detail is the old jail building from 1873, which was later converted into a canning facility by local women's organizations. This double history shows how places reinvent themselves over time.

Location: Lawrence County

Inception: 1970

Website: https://arkansasstateparks.com/parks/powhatan-historic-state-park

GPS coordinates: 36.09890,-91.11940

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:23