Welcome to Historic Washington State Park, one of 52 beautiful,
historic state parks, each with their own special mission. The
other thing they each have is a geocache. This adventure is based
around visiting all 52 state parks. Each park cache has a clue that
you will need to find the final, 53rd cache located somewhere in
the state. Just download the clue sheet and start your adventure. We
encourage you to upload photos on the geocaching.com page when
you find one and also to tell us about your visit to the park on
the state park blog. As an extra incentive, For
a limited time you can pick up an Arkansas State Park geocoin at
the final location and send it on it's way to visit parks
throughout the world!
Historic Washington, Arkansas, is a lovely, peaceful
tree-shaded town in and one of the most amazing historic places in
Arkansas that you'll want to experience. Here you will time travel
back to the 19th century as you stroll the plank board sidewalks
alongside streets that have never been paved, and tour the historic
public buildings and former residences. Established on George
Washington's birthday in 1824, the town of Washington today is one
of America's premier historic villages. Historic Washington State
Park is a National Historical Landmark, a National Register of
Historic Places site, and an Arkansas state park you'll want to
visit.
Today over 30 carefully restored historic structures including
classic examples of Southern Greek Revival and Federal
architecture, Gothic Revival, Italianate, and those of hand-hewn
timber framing or brace-frame cottage construction, stand as a
legacy to life in Washington from 1824 to 1900. Tour the public
buildings and homes; see the remarkable collections of antiques,
guns and knifes; visit with the guides in period attire, ride the
surrey around town; and step back in time. You'll want to spend
time - quality time - exploring this lovely restored town that is
certainly one of the finest historic places in Arkansas.
This historic Arkansas community and state park is conserved and
interpreted by Arkansas State Parks in conjunction with the Pioneer
Washington Restoration Foundation. Historic Washington State Park
also houses the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives, a resource
center for historical and genealogical research. The collection
features a library of rare books, newspapers, court records, census
reports maps, family histories and scrapbooks, photographs and
other materials within its extensive files.
The 1874 Hempstead County Courthouse serves as the park visitor
center. Accessible parking is located behind the courthouse.
Lunch featuring Southern country fare is served daily from 11 a.m.
to 3 p.m. in the quaint, circa 1832 Williams' Tavern
Restaurant.
Washington is also home to the world-renowned Texarkana
College/Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing. Established in 1987,
the school continues the tradition James Black, the gifted
Washington bladesmith who was commissioned by James Bowie in 1831
to hand-forge a weapon that was to become the legendary "Bowie
Knife" Colonel Bowie wielded in the defense of the Alamo. The
school's prestigious faculty includes some of America's finest
bladesmiths and is the only school in the world dedicated to art of
making knives and swords. Classes are taught during the year
through the Texarkana College in Texarkana, Texas.
Historic Washington State Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The park is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
To reach the park, take Exit #30 off I-30 at Hope and travel eight
miles northwest on U.S. 278 to Washington.
Please check the park Web site for hours of operation. Park Permit
Number HWSP-08-01
Plan some time for each of the parks and enjoy your visit. Learn
about natural, cultural and state history. Take in a hike, a swim,
a boat ride. Go fishing, cycling or just relax. For more
information on geocaching in an Arkansas State Park visit our
geocaching page. For information on
geocaching throughout the Natural State visit Arkansas
Geocaching. Have a great time and we’ll see you in a
park!
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