ARKANSAS' OZARK GATEWAY REGION
A region defined by its natural beauty, enriched by the creativity and generosity of its residents, and enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year. Our region covers eight unique counties: Fulton, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, Sharp, and Stone, each with its own history, heritage, events, and attractions.
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Step into history this Experience the 1886 Newport trial of James Williams—was it murder or an accident? After a catered meal, stroll to the 1872 Jackson County Courthouse and take part in a living history drama, playing the roles of jurors, witnesses, lawyers, or the accused. The deadline to register is 3 p.m. Monday, April 20. This event is limited to a minimum of 25, and a maximum of 50 participants. This event has full accessibility for visitors with disabilities. The fee includes a catered meal, drink, dessert and reenactment. Decide the fate of the accused in the very courtroom where it all happened! Contact Jacksonport State Park at 870-523-2143 for tickets.
🏛️ Arkansas State Capitol
Step inside one of Arkansas’ most iconic landmarks and experience history up close. Guided tours of the Arkansas State Capitol are free and open to the public — giving you a look inside the grand rotunda, historic chambers, and the stories that shaped our state.
Fun fact: the beautiful limestone used to build this Capitol was quarried in Batesville, Arkansas — meaning a piece of Independence County stands proudly in Little Rock.
Plan your visit, take the tour, and see Arkansas history from the inside out.
Drop by the Visitor Services Center on the first floor for self-guided brochures or by booking a free guided weekday tour at capitoltours@sos.arkansas.gov
#ArkansasHistory #StateCapitol #LittleRockAR #BatesvilleAR
Mt. Pleasant may be small, but its academic story is powerful. 🏫
An original two-story schoolhouse, Mount Pleasant Academy, opened in 1878, welcoming students from across the region. After the academy tragically burned in 1905, the community rebuilt — erecting another two-story school on the same site. Just a few years later, it became a public school.
By 1925, it was an accredited twelve-grade school and remained a cornerstone of the community for generations. In 2009, the district consolidated with Melbourne, and Mt. Pleasant continued operating as an elementary school until it officially closed in 2016.
Even today, the school still stands as a proud symbol of Mt. Pleasant’s deep commitment to education and community.
#MtPleasantAR #ArkansasHistory #HistoricArkansas #SmallTownPride
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