Powhatan Courthouse State Park, Arkansas

Powhatan, a tiny village of 50 people on the banks of the Black River, is one of the oldest towns in Arkansas. In the 19th century it was a busy river port. Today the town consists primarily of Powhatan Courthouse State Park, a church, and a few houses.

The area was occupied by Osage Indians until they were removed to a reservation in 1817. Settlers of European descent arrived shortly thereafter. A ferry was established across the Black River in 1820, and the first steamboat, the Laurel, arrived in 1829.

The town is named for Indian chief Powhatan, father of the Pocahontas. In the early 17th century, Powhatan's empire covered most of what is today the eastern part of the state of Virginia.

Powhatan is located in Lawrence County in the northeastern corner of Arkansas, on AR-25. The historic courthouse and other buildings preserved by the state park are very interesting and definitely worth a visit.

The old Powhatan Courthouse is the centerpiece of both the town of Powhatan and the state park. The first courthouse was built here in 1873, but burned in 1885. The current two-story courthouse was constructed on the same foundation with locally manufactured brick and was completed in 1888.

In 1863, voters decided to consolidate Powhatan with the county seat in Walnut Ridge and by 1966 the Powhatan courthouse stood empty. Shortly thereafter the old courthouse was restored and the Powhatan Courthouse State Park was established to preserve it.