Steamboats made Jacksonport a thriving river port in the 1800s. During the Civil
War, the town was occupied by both Confederate and Union forces because of its
crucial locale. Jacksonport became county seat in 1854, and constuction of a
stately, two-story brick courthouse began in 1869. The town began to decline in
the 1880s when bypassed by the railroad. The county seat was moved in 1891 to
nearby Newport, and Jacksonport's stores, wharves and saloons soon vanished.
Today the park's museums, the 1872 courthouse and the nearby Mary Woods No. 2
sternwheel paddleboat, and interpretive programs share the story of this
historic riverport.
The park offers 20 Standard A campsites with water and electric hookups
including 50 amp service at all sites, a swimming beach on the White River,
standard pavilion, picnic sites, playground and the Tunstall Riverwalk Trail.
The park is on Ark. 69 in Jacksonport (just three miles north of Newport).
For more information about Arkansas State Parks historic, heritage and
cultural parks, and museums, go to: http://www.historystateparks.com/
Contact Information
205 Avenue Street
Newport, AR 72112
GPS: 35° 38.4’ 29.7” N / 91° 19.2’ 16.4” W
Email: jacksonport@arkansas.com
(870) 523-2143
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