Arkansas Southwest Trail Research

 

Photo Left:  Jackson Military Road cut exiting Washington, Arkansas, to the North East (2005)

This web site is intended to provide information for students and classrooms that have

interest in the route and history of the Southwest Trail.

 

Contents
County Articles
Lesson Plans
Links
Mapping
News & Updates
Photo Gallery
Research

 

 

Jackson Military Road (Arkansas, 1831),

(otherwise known as the . . .)

Southwest Trail (Arkansas portion)

the National Road,

U.S. Road,

Arkansas Road,

Red River Road,

Chihuahua Road,

Natchitoches Trail or Trace

and by several other names.

         Arkansas' Southwest Trail, et al--

a

Road of Many Names (RMN).

 

Click on the above thumbnail of Arkansas to see a map of the road and its approximate locations to current towns in Arkansas.

 

Why the Military Road of 1831?

Evidence seems to suggest that prior to an official survey and development of this road in 1831, the route, usually referred to as the Southwest Trail, was a matrix of roads, cut-offs, along with winter and summer detours.  The Military Road of 1831, however, puts a "line in the dirt".  Go here for a further discussion.

 

Our Mission

 

The research group is working to document this road (we call it the RMN for research purposes) using narratives, historical documentation, mapping, photographs, etc.  The group is  working on five tasks.  

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The first is to document and map the road. 

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The second is to obtain official historic status for the Arkansas portion of the route. 

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Third, we want to provide a written history of the impact the road had on the transportation, population, and economics of the region. 

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Fourth, the group is working to mark the route for future generations. 

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Finally, we are gathering lesson plans to be used by educators in the classroom on the subject.

Contact Information   

                 16th Section Methodist Church Cemetery, Lonoke County, Arkansas & Military Road SW 

Telephone
501-344-8323
          501-593-6883
Postal address
314 S. Center St. Lonoke, AR  72086
E-mail address
sbakridge@gmail.com

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Send mail to Southwest Trail Reserach, 314 S Center St  Lonoke, Arkansas
Copyright © 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010 Jackson Military Road in Arkansas
Last modified: 05/22/10