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 an information sharing data base for individuals and organizations who have specific interest in the route and history of the Southwest Trail through Arkansas in the early 19th century with particular reference to the Jackson Military Road of 1831.

 

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,

the U.S. Road,

the Arkansas Road,

the Red River Road,

the Chihuahua Road,

the Natchitoches Trail (Arkansas Portion) . . .   

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
         
Postal address
207 Morris Drive  Bradford, AR  72020
Electronic mail
arkswroadsurvey@sbcglobal.net

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Send mail to 207 Morris Dr  Bradford, AR  72020 with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2005, 2006, 2007,2008 Jackson Military Road in Arkansas
Last modified: 11/12/08