Press Release, Josh Williams

Thursday, April 29, 2021

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

A virtual meeting will be held online via Zoom on Thursday April 29 at 6pm to provide information on a proposed Scenic Byway route that will focus on the Camden Expedition of 1864. The proposed driving route will promote heritage tourism in the communities that were impacted by the Camden Expedition of the American Civil War and have printed material and signage designating the route on state and federal highways.  

The byway would affect the following communities and surrounding areas: Little Rock, Benton, Malvern, Rockport, Arkadelphia, Hollywood, Okolona, Prescott, Washington, Camden, Fordyce, Sheridan, Leola, and Prattsville. Arkansas State Parks included in this route include: Historic Washington State Park; Poison Springs Battleground State Park; Mark’s Mill Battleground State Park; and Jenkins Ferry Battleground State Park.

In the Spring of 1864, federal troops left Little Rock with the goal of meeting another federal force at Shreveport, Louisiana and then entering Texas. This was part of the larger Red River Campaign. This particular expedition impacted many of the communities in Southwest Arkansas. The Camden Expedition included the following conflicts: Prairie D’Ane; Moscow Church; Poison Springs; Jenkins Ferry; Marks Mill, and other smaller engagements. For more information on the Camden Expedition visit: https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/camden-expedition-1131/.

Contact the Historic Washington State Park at 870-983-2684 to register for the Virtual Meeting. Register by Wednesday, April 28 and provide a valid email address to attend online via ZOOM.

Historic Washington State Park, a restoration village preserving one of Arkansas’ most prominent 19th century towns, is located on US 278 nine miles north of Hope and can be reached by taking Exit 30 off Interstate 30. For more information visit www.HistoricWashingtonStatePark.com or call (870)983-2684.