"The Opening of the American West" -- Louisiana Purchase State Park, nr Holly Springs AR
N 34° 38.800 W 091° 03.083
15S E 678587 N 3835587
An interpretive sign at a partially-submerged stone monument in a headwater swamp explains the importance of what happened here in 1815.
Waymark Code: WMNX3T
Location: Arkansas, United States
Date Posted: 05/16/2015
Views: 7
The initial point of the Louisiana Purchase survey is located in a headwater swap at Louisiana Purchase State Park in Arkansas. in 1926 the daughters of the American Revolution erected a stone monument at this point. Many decades later, the state of Arkansas built the boardwalk out to this point. Within the last decade the state has erected signage explaining the flora and fauna of this headwater swamp and, at the end of the boardwalk near the DAR monument, this historic significance of this place.
The sign reads as follows:
"THE OPENING OF THE AMERICAN WEST
This point was established by survey on November 10, 1815 by US government survey teams led by Prospect Robbins and Joseph Brown. Recognizing the national significance of this initial point, the L’Anguille chapter of the DAR sought placement of a monument at the site. It was placed and dedicated by the Arkansas State Society Daughters of the American Revolution on October 27, 1926.
You are standing at the initial point for the survey of most of the Louisiana purchase territory. This stone monument marks the spot where the fifth principal meridian and baseline survey lines intersect.
Only after this point was established and land surveys conducted outward from this point could land grants be issued, settlers, prospectors and ranchers stake a claim, or towns be platted.
Here the settlement of the American West began.
Photo from the DAR ceremony dedicating the monument. Pictured (left to right)
Mr. Tom Jacks. * Mrs. E.D. Wall. * Senator J. T. Robertson. * Mrs. T. H. Caraway * Mrs. J. T. Robertson. * Mrs. Paul Benham, Chapter Regent * David Wall * Martha Douglass * Mrs. Russell Dupey * Mr. E. P. Douglass * Mrs. Sam Harrington * Senator T. H. Caraway * Mrs. Allen Cox, State Regent * Frances Lynch (seated).
Photo courtesy of Eldridge Douglass Jr."
Group that erected the marker: Arkansas State Parks
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link]
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
Louisiana Purchase State Park
Holly Springs, AR
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