Jacksonport State Park

We're still catching up on Arkansas history around here, 

and the next installment in our summer field trips was visiting Jacksonport State Park with some friends.

According to the park's website:

In the 1800s steamboats made Jacksonport a thriving river port. During the Civil War, the town was occupied by both Confederate and Union forces because of its crucial locale. Jacksonport became county seat in 1854, and construction of a stately, two-story brick courthouse began in 1869. 

The town began to decline in the 1880s when bypassed by the railroad. The county seat was moved in 1891 to nearby Newport, and Jacksonport's stores, wharves and saloons soon vanished.

Today, exhibits in the park's 1872 courthouse and programs by park interpreters share the story of this historic river port. Admission to the courthouse is free.

We enjoyed learning about newspapers during the Civil War era and soaking up the beautiful old courthouse.

I had no idea that Arkansas produced such a booming button business from freshwater mollusks!

I think everybody's favorite part of the day was meandering along the White River.  

The park has a lovely picnic area adjacent to the camping facilities.

We had rock skipping contests,

looked for shells, and enjoyed God's beautiful creation,

especially the sweet friendships He gave us.