James Black: Life And Legacy Heritage Trail
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Description
A walking tour related to the life and legacy of James Black, the Washington blacksmith who forged Jim Bowie's famous knife
This tour was curated by: Historic Washington State Park
1. Blacksmith Shop (Reconstructed 1960)
This building is a reconstruction of the Blacksmith shop belonging to James Black, the man who forged Jim Bowie’s famous knife. The original building sat closer to the Southwest Trail on the edge of town. The reconstruction was built in a more accessible location by the Pioneer Washington Restoration Foundation and dedicated on May 31, 1961. The exact location of the shop is still unknown pending further research. Guided tours are available of the building. Visit the Historic Washington State Park Visitor Center for more information.
2. 1939 James Black Monument
On May 1, 1939, a monument commemorating James Black and the location of his Blacksmith shop was erected. The marked is located in the vicinity where it was believed the original shop was located. While the actual location is not certain, it stands today down the hill from the 1960 reconstructed Blacksmith Shop.
3. Black-Bowie Black Walnut Tree
The James Black—Jim Bowie Black Walnut tree is located near the current Blacksmith Shop on the northeast side of the 1914 Schoolhouse.James Black primarily used Black walnut in the coffin-shaped handles of his knives. Since the tree is a Black Walnut and it is located near the reconstructed Blacksmith Shop, it was named in honor of James Black and Jim Bowie.
4. Elijah Stuart's Tavern
Early settler, Elijah Stuart built a log tavern on this site that was located on the Southwest Trail. In 1824, the tavern served as Hempstead County's courthouse when the county seat moved to Washington. James Black served Hempstead County in many capacities and conducted court business at Stuart's tavern on many occasions. Today the site is the location of the First Baptist Church of Washington. This property is privately owned and not affiliated with Historic Washington State Park.
5. The Tragedy Of James Black
James Black had been successful serving in different posts for the county as deputy jailor, road overseer, juror, and was elected in 1834 as 1 of 5 trustees for the community of Washington. Not long after the birth of his fifth child, Black’s life began a series of hardships starting with the death of his wife, Anne, on September 12, 1835. Many of the events that followed in his life took place at the 1836 Hempstead County Courthouse. Guided tours are available of the building. Visit the Historic Washington State Park Visitor Center for more information.
6. Dr. Isaac Newton Jones Homesite
This site is where Dr. Isaac Newton Jones had his town residence. in 1844, a blind James Black was taken into the care of the Jones family. The Jones home was located next to the large magnolia tree across from the original downtown business district of Washington. The house is no longer standing.
7. Daniel W. Jones Homesite
This was the homesite of Daniel W. Jones, son of Dr. Isaac Newton Jones and nineteenth Governor of Arkansas. The home was a two story structure that Jones built after the Civil War. James Black lived in the home with the Jones family. It was here, on his 70th birthday, that Black attempted to tell Daniel W. Jones the secret of Damascus steel and the story of his life. However, after failing to remember the process, he rubbed his head with enough ferocity to cause bleeding while crying "My God! My God! It has all gone from me." He would later pass away at this house on June 21, 1872. This property is privately owned and not affiliated with Historic Washington State Park.
8. Grandison DeRoyston Black (Royston Town House)
The large Greek Revival house at the top of the hill was the town residence of Grandison Delaney Royston, a well-respected lawyer who also owned a plantation several miles northeast of town on the Southwest Trail. In 1832, James Black and his wife, Anne, chose to name their second child after him: Grandison DeRoyston Black. Guided tours are available of the building. Visit the Historic Washington State Park Visitor Center for more information.
9. Pioneer Cemetery
Established at the founding of Washington in 1824, the Pioneer Cemetery is where most of the town's earliest settlers are buried, including the unmarked grave of James Black, the man who forged Jim Bowie's famous knife. Around circa 1860, a new cemetery was established named the Presbyterian Cemetery, located just north of town on present-day U.S. Hwy 278.
