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Located in Northwest Arkansas, Springdale sits surrounded by the Ozarks and their natural beauty. While the mountains are a big draw, its rich history and variety of historic sites also bring visitors to the area. There are museums to explore and American Civil War battlefields to see. You can also see old Victorian mansions along with homes built before the Civil War that are still standing. Here are some of the best historical sites to explore in Springdale.
1. Springdale Bluff Cemetery
The Springdale Bluff Cemetery is one of the largest cemeteries in the area and it predates the Civil War. You can find the grave of John Holcombe, the man who founded Springdale, at this cemetery along with his wife. There are graves dating back to 1841, and this is the cemetery where you can find many of the early residents of Springdale.
2. Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History is a museum with exhibits that showcase the history and the people who settle the area. There are historic buildings on the grounds, a research library with over 500,000 pictures of early life in the Ozarks, and much more. Visit the museum to see exhibits such as Prehistoric Ozarks, Settling the Ozarks, and the Civil War to World War I. Some collections include Native American artifacts, tools, textiles, and original art. The seven historic buildings on the property include a log cabin from 1851, the Shiloh Meeting Hall from 1871, and the Steele General Store from the 1870s. Admission to the museum is free.
3. Butterfield Stage Line
The Butterfield State Line was a stop along the Butterfield Overland Mail Company route. The barn on the Fitzgerald Station and Farmstead property was used by the mail company from 1858 to 1861. The property also includes an 1870s home, a pump house, native stone markers, a stable, and a cistern. Fitzgerald Station and Farmstead is a certified site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.
4. Shiloh Church – IOOF Hall
The original Shiloh Church was the first church in Shiloh. Settlers built it in 1840, but it burned to the ground during the Civil War. The church members had a new building constructed sometime around 1868 and later sold to the school district. The Shiloh Museum now owns the building, and it is on the National Register.
5. The Rogers Historical Museum
Stop by the Rogers Historical Museum in nearby Rogers, Arkansas to see artifacts from Northwest Arkansas. This local attraction features exhibits such at Hawkins House, a restored Victorian house from the early 1900s with authentic furnishings. The Hailey Building has five galleries with exhibits that explore the history of the area. You can take a look at how the pioneers settled in northwest Arkansas and the impact of the Beaver Dam. Springdale and the surrounding areas have a long and rich history that dates back to the Indians and before the Civil War. These historic sites allow people to see a little of the areas past.
Image via Flickr by GSEC
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