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Ghost of Davidsonville

The ghosts of Davidsonville past are calling once again. Can you hear them? The leaves are turning and a chill is in the air. Can you feel it? An evening of music, history, and haunting draws near once more. Will you be there?

Arkansas State Parks and the staff of Davidsonville Historic State Park invite you to join them for the Ghosts of Davidsonville Fall Festival, October 8th from 5-9pm. Entrance to the Fall Festival is free for all, with food, merchandise, and haunted hayrides all available for purchase during the event. Cost for the hayrides will be $2 dollars for ages 12 and under and $4 for ages 13 and up. Kids are encouraged to dress up in costume and bring their trick-or-treat bags for candy passed out during the event.

Live music from Harmony of Ozark Folk Center State Park, members of the Arkansas State University Bands, and the Arkansas State University Choir will provide free entertainment the entire evening. Along with musical entertainment, a number of historic games and living history craft demonstrators will showcase how the people of Davidsonville would have lived and played during the town’s life 200 years ago.

Once night falls, haunted hayrides will take visitors on a trip 200 years in the past to explore some of the dark deeds and hauntings that might have called Davidsonville home. The sheriff’s wife, an executed convict, and others wait to greet you. The ghosts are calling, will you be here?

For more information, contact the park at 870-892-4709

Many Improvements at Davidsonville Historic State Park

The new visitor center is 3500 square foot with gift shop and interpretive exhibit gallery. The exhibit gallery has a life sized hunter-trappers flatboat. The boat represents a flatboat from the 1820’s that was used to travel the rivers for trade or commerce. New interpretive panels have been installed, along with, audio sticks that help tell the story of Davidsonville and what life was like during territorial Arkansas.

The ghost structures represent what archaeologist and park staff thinks the buildings during the time of Davidsonville (1815-1827) might have looked like. The structures represent two-story, brick courthouse (first courthouse in Arkansas) and a two story dog-trot dwelling–the first US post office in Arkansas. The link below dives in the 3D world of Davidsonville. This was completed by the UofA 3D CAST department out of Fayetteville. They will also be on display for visitors soon at the new visitor center.

http://davidsonville.cast.uark.edu/structures

The campground is undergoing a complete renovation and the renovations should be complete in September. There will be total of 20 campsites when the renovation is complete. Twelve campsites will have water, sewer, and 50-amp electric and eight campsites will have water and 50-amp electric.

Herbal Remedies Workshop

Herbs were very useful to early Arkansas settlers not only for seasoning their food but also in remedies for various illnesses. Davidsonville Historic State Park is offering a hands-on workshop where you will learn more about the medicinal properties of certain herbs and have the opportunity to make a couple herbal remedies to take home. Admission is $10 per person and early registration is required as space is limited. Please call 870-892-4708 to sign up. Davidsonville Historic State Park is located fifteen minutes south of Pocahontas on Highway 166.