Northeast Arkansas has numerous existing, planned historic sites

Archeologists have uncovered evidence that thousands of years before the Egyptians built the pyramids and the Greeks created the Parthenon, Native Americans hunted, camped and fished at Old Davidsonville.

Pieces of wampum, a quantity of small cylindrical beads made from quahog shells and used as currency by Native Americans, have been found at the 163-acre park located on Arkansas 166 along the Lawrence/Randolph County lines.

The Spanish explored this part of Arkansas in the late 1600s, according to historical accounts. It’s believed the Spanish had a fort or settlement close to Old Davidsonville at or near the modern-day town of Portia. A Spanish coin was plucked from the soil in the old town, and other artifacts that date before the Revolutionary War have been discovered, interpretive guide Ashley Hart previously told Talk Business & Politics.

Old Davidsonville was designated as the county seat for Lawrence County on Jan. 1, 1815, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. At the time it included what would become 30 counties in Arkansas and parts of southern Missouri.

To read the full article click here »