Steamboats were a very important part of the town’s history. The Lower White River Museum State Park in Des Arc details the important part the Lower White River played in the lives of early settlers in the area. Exhibits also focus on the Civil War, agriculture, the timber industry, pearling and button making, and fishing and hunting.
Last year, the Lower White River State Park installed a new exhibit dedicated to an “old” resident. Back in 1965, a construction crew working on Interstate 40 near Hazen stumbled upon a major archeological find – the remains (including the skull with tusks, mandibles, atlas and the majority of the vertebrae) of Mammuthus columbi, or Columbian Mammoth, buri
ed for centuries under more than 22 feet of red clay silt. Aptly named the Hazen Mammoth, the animal would have called the area home a few years back…according to scientists, approximately 1.8 million years ago to 10,000 years ago. Portions of the jaw (including teeth) and vertebrae are now on display at the museum.
The Lower White River Museum State Park is located at 2009 Main St. in Des Arc. For more information visit www.arkansasstateparks.com/lowerwhiterivermuseum/ or phone 870-256-3711.
Once about 10 years ago, I went to a quilt thing at the museum in Des Arc. For a little donation, I could sign a quilt. Do you know where they might have put this quilt? I was wondering if it would still be there.
I just spoke with Neva Boatright, superintendent of the Lower White River Museum State Park. The quilt is still in the museum’s collection. Neva said if you would like to see it, she invites you to call her and set up an appointment to take a look. Thanks!