We invite
you to have “More Fun Per Gallon” in Arkansas this year. Each day we will be
blogging on different Arkansas destinations which can be reached on one tank of
gas or less. This is basically every corner of The Natural State. We hope these
suggestions help you in planning a trip to remember.
you to have “More Fun Per Gallon” in Arkansas this year. Each day we will be
blogging on different Arkansas destinations which can be reached on one tank of
gas or less. This is basically every corner of The Natural State. We hope these
suggestions help you in planning a trip to remember.
Today’s
Trip: A Historic Road Trip-Hope and Historic Washington State Park
Trip: A Historic Road Trip-Hope and Historic Washington State Park
Both Hope and Historic Washington State Park are beacons for history buffs. The good news is they are only about 10 miles apart from each other so they are a good target for a road trip. The below outlines a packed day that combines both towns. On a side note, this is a lot to fit into one day so making this a two day excursion is always an option for those that want to spend more time in either destination. As
a reference point, Hope is located around 85 miles from Hot Springs.
a reference point, Hope is located around 85 miles from Hot Springs.
Start the journey: Hope
This
small town has two claims to fame: it is the birthplace of former U.S.
President Bill Clinton and it showcases some of the world’s largest
watermelons. It is home to the famous Hope Watermelon Festival every August. Yum!
small town has two claims to fame: it is the birthplace of former U.S.
President Bill Clinton and it showcases some of the world’s largest
watermelons. It is home to the famous Hope Watermelon Festival every August. Yum!
HopeVisitor Center and Museum- This is a good first stop in town. It’s a good place
to ask directions and also to get a quick taste of the history of the town. The
museum is located in the restored 1912 railroad depot at Division and Main
Streets. It contains exhibits on the town’s history ( with lots of Clinton
information of course!) as a railway center for the cotton economy in earlier
times and it’s on-going production of giant watermelons.
A quick
side note: the town was also home to Paul W. Klipsch, an audio engineer who
manufactured his world-famous loudspeakers there. If you’ve never heard of
Klipsch, he was quite a renaissance man. Here are more details about him in case you might want to learn more.
side note: the town was also home to Paul W. Klipsch, an audio engineer who
manufactured his world-famous loudspeakers there. If you’ve never heard of
Klipsch, he was quite a renaissance man. Here are more details about him in case you might want to learn more.
President
William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site- The two-story
white frame house (which belonged to Clinton’s grandparents) on South Hervey
Street was where Clinton lived from his birth in 1946 until age four. The house
is furnished with items that date to time period when Clinton lived there. Here is an article to learn more
details about this historic home.
William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site- The two-story
white frame house (which belonged to Clinton’s grandparents) on South Hervey
Street was where Clinton lived from his birth in 1946 until age four. The house
is furnished with items that date to time period when Clinton lived there. Here is an article to learn more
details about this historic home.
The siteis located at 117 S. Hervey Street.. Through the end of June, the park is also
hosting Biking Through History Tours. During these tours, park rangers lead an approximately 4 mile, 1 to 1 ½
hour bicycle tour covering 5 different locations in town that were points of
interest in President Clinton’s childhood.
If you might be getting hungry, you can refuel at
one of these places to eat:
one of these places to eat:
Continue
on to Historic Washington State Park in the town of Washington. The park is
nine miles northwest of Hope via U.S. 278.
on to Historic Washington State Park in the town of Washington. The park is
nine miles northwest of Hope via U.S. 278.
Here is
where you can get a huge history fix in. Here is a quick rundown: The town of
Washington was founded in 1824 on the Southwest Trail just 15 miles from the
Red River, which then separated American lands from the Mexican territory known
as Texas. Because of its border proximity, Washington played a role in Texas’s
1835-36 war for independence. Evidence suggests that Sam Houston and others
discussed plans for the revolt while Houston resided in one of the town’s
taverns in 1834. The town also served as Arkansas’s Confederate capital after
Union forces captured Little Rock in 1863.
where you can get a huge history fix in. Here is a quick rundown: The town of
Washington was founded in 1824 on the Southwest Trail just 15 miles from the
Red River, which then separated American lands from the Mexican territory known
as Texas. Because of its border proximity, Washington played a role in Texas’s
1835-36 war for independence. Evidence suggests that Sam Houston and others
discussed plans for the revolt while Houston resided in one of the town’s
taverns in 1834. The town also served as Arkansas’s Confederate capital after
Union forces captured Little Rock in 1863.
Today,
Washington, which is a National Register of Historic Places site, is both a state park and town
intermingled.
Washington, which is a National Register of Historic Places site, is both a state park and town
intermingled.
Historic
Washington State Park , which was created in 1973, is a restoration village
preserving the 19th-century town, which figured prominently in Arkansas and
Southwest U.S. history.
Washington State Park , which was created in 1973, is a restoration village
preserving the 19th-century town, which figured prominently in Arkansas and
Southwest U.S. history.
The statepark preserves and showcases the town’s architecture, history and pioneer
culture. Park visitors can get a sense of 19th- century life in Arkansas by
taking historic tours and experiencing interpretive programs and demonstrations
throughout the town. There are over 40 structures that date from the 1830s into
the early 1900s. Authentic and furnished historic houses provide a glimpse of domestic
life and contain many 19th century treasures such as furniture and ceramics.
There are many options of what you can explore while there. Noted attractions
include the 1836 Hempstead County Courthouse that served as the Confederate
capitol, the re-construction of a period blacksmith shop where the original
Bowie knife was forged, the B.W. Edwards Weapons Museum, and a print museum
showcasing 19th- century printing techniques.
include the 1836 Hempstead County Courthouse that served as the Confederate
capitol, the re-construction of a period blacksmith shop where the original
Bowie knife was forged, the B.W. Edwards Weapons Museum, and a print museum
showcasing 19th- century printing techniques.
The park
also teaches blacksmithing!
also teaches blacksmithing!
In
addition to daily tours, the park is home base to an interesting mix of
workshops and events throughout the year. In June, they have their Music in the
Park event ( June 16), Surrey Tours, and The Art of Candle Making,.
Interpretive guides offer a variety of programming throughout the park, from
tours of the sites to living history demonstrations. There is always have daily
programming available too.More details
on pricing and such can be found here.
addition to daily tours, the park is home base to an interesting mix of
workshops and events throughout the year. In June, they have their Music in the
Park event ( June 16), Surrey Tours, and The Art of Candle Making,.
Interpretive guides offer a variety of programming throughout the park, from
tours of the sites to living history demonstrations. There is always have daily
programming available too.More details
on pricing and such can be found here.
The park
also hosts archeological surveys. This summer, Mr. Jamie Brandon of the
Arkansas Archeological Survey and his team will lead a Summer Dig Program there.
also hosts archeological surveys. This summer, Mr. Jamie Brandon of the
Arkansas Archeological Survey and his team will lead a Summer Dig Program there.
If you
need to refuel during any part of your historic adventure, the park also has
Williams’ Tavern Restaurant, which serves country fare food daily (from 11-3).
need to refuel during any part of your historic adventure, the park also has
Williams’ Tavern Restaurant, which serves country fare food daily (from 11-3).
Also, if you might want to stay overnight somewhere before heading home, there are options in Hope.
Enjoy!
Love this idea of posting different things to do in Arkansas. We are always looking for weekend trips we can take in Arkansas.
Thanks for the kind words Sandra! We are glad you are enjoying the blogs. We enjoy writing them! Take care and happy travels! Zoie