Jackson County, AR, My Home, Our History

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Once before this community closed down a town used to set on the block of land where the concrete is now called the Possum Grape Store that was the support and life of the community of Possum Grape. A small community with a rich history was established in the mid-1800s in the Township of Grand Glaise, Jackson County, AR became prosperous when the Patterson Ferry was traveling down the White River that ran along the communities of Grand Glasie and Possum Grape. Not much exists of Possum Grape in the twenty-first century, but its unique name attracts people from all over. Travelers and residents of Arkansas most of the time only know of Possum Grape because of the exit sign on U.S. High 67/167, but the history of the community is interesting. Even though the community in the twenty-first century is considered a part of the city of Bradford, AR in the census records, residents of Possum Grape still call the area home.

2. Grand Glaise (Jackson County, AR)

There is a sign on the side of the road traveling between Bradford and Newport, AR and it says Old Grand Glaise Public Access White River that represents so much of the community. Grand Glaise is located a few miles north Possum Grape and was another community that made up the Glaize Township. Grand Glaise was at one time the epicenter on commerce for the community of Possum Grape and its own. This is community played a important role in the surrounding area not only because of its strategic setting for the Civil War but also the fact that the White River it was settled on was once full of rich resources for the area. Grand Glaise was community that hit hards times but the community was willing to work together to back on their feet. In twenty-first century the Grand Glaise community is an important part of Jackson County and Arkansas history because of its rich history in the economic role it played for not only Arkansas but for Jackson County. Today the town is still very much a part of the community and residents in the area are very proud of their heritage that came out this place even though it was later combined as a part of community of Bradford, AR in the census records.

3. Olyphant (Jackson County, AR)

As your driving on the Highway 367 a person will see a rusted out old building on the side of the road in what was once a thriving railroad town and this building was the cotton gin and merchant store beside it. Olyphant has a famous story about a robbery that became a part of Jackson County and Arkansas history, and put this small community the map for quite some time. Olyphant is a small community outside of Bradford, AR between what was once the Grand Glaise Township of Possum Grape and Grand Glaise, and Newport, AR. Olyphant has an interesting and rich history that played a major role in Jackson County's economy and startup. The community still has some of the buildings still standing built around the late 1800s into the 1900s that was once the epicenter for the community. Olyphant in twenty-first century is considered a part of three surrounding communities of Bradford, Newport, and Oil Trough in the census records, but the residents still consider the area their hometown.

4. Newport (Jackson County, AR)

When first coming into Newport, AR on Highway 367 a person will enter on the street called main street but if a person looks all around them they will see older building surrounding the area, and the reason why is because this was the original location of thriving railroad era of Newport, AR before and after it became the county seat of Jackson County, AR. Newport even in the twenty-first century is considered the city center for Jackson County. When the railroad was built through Newport and the county seat was switch to the city, Newport became a booming metropolis. People came from all over the country because the depot in Newport for not only entertainment but for businesses as well. Due to the expansion of Newport being so quick and large, crime would break out everywhere prompting the county to set up the first official justice system in Jackson County. One of the most well-known African American men would come out of this town established a community to help out his fellow people to get off their feet during the Jim Crow Era, and World War II would bring even more commercial business and entertainment into the city. Newport in the twenty-first century is still a community of people who strive to help each other in every way they can.

5. Grubbs (Jackson County, AR)

Grubbs in the twenty-first century is a different town from what it was back during its heyday of the railroad industry currently a community based in agricultural such as Riceland Foods. The railroad and lumber industry played a major role in the economy of Grubbs and Jackson County as a whole. The town was founded through one man who wanted to help provide for Jackson County economic expansion. Eventually thanks to this man the community would have its own bank, stores, school, telephone, and political standing. Luck though would not sit well with the Grubbs community they would go through quite a few tragedies that would destroy their economy, but the community is surviving even in the twenty-first century.

6. Diaz (Jackson County, AR)

In middle of this little community the Diaz City Hall stands along with the Fire Department and Police Department near each other that are reminisce of the old thriving town of Diaz, AR. Diaz has an interesting history even though they are considered a part of Newport, AR in the twenty-first century they still maintain a police department. Diaz was first founded as a small farming community before it became an actual settlement of Jackson County, AR. After the railroad and depot was built in Diaz that was when he community was first established as a part of Jackson County. Once more and more people come to settle near the depot businesses began to pop up creating a thriving town of people. Eventually the town would even have its own newspaper for a short time. Diaz after some time be overshadow by Newport Jackson County's big city and county seat and the community would begin to decline. Very few things remain from the old town Diaz, but to residents its still their home.

7. Jacksonport (Jackson County, AR)

Many people know of Jacksonport State Park and the history behind, but here is deeper history on Jacksonport as a city of Jackson County, AR, and it went from a county seat to the center of Jackson County's historical site and state park. Jacksonport located a few miles from Newport, AR was once the epicenter of Jackson County as a whole and county seat for a short time. It became a militaristic strategic place for both the Confederates and Union commanders who would fight for control of the area. Jacksonport is rich in history and is one of the only towns that has been preserved as a historical district thanks to the Jackson County Historical Society. Jacksonport even in the twenty-first century is still the center of big events for all of Jackson County, and a place that locals go to fish, swim, or learn the history of our area.

8. Campbell Station (Jackson County, AR)

Campbell Station has a park called Keeter Park and the building that is the city hall building setting on the property of the park that are both connected to the very first mayor of Campbell Station W.O. Keeter. Campbell Station is considered a part of the Tuckerman, AR community but to residents who live in the area its still their own little town even though not much is left anymore. Campbell Station's history is based off the railroad that ran through the area and that was what made it into the little town that it was. Beginning at first with the name for the town as Campbell it would later be changed to Campbell Station. Campbell Station like Newport would have a role to play in World War II in supporting the soldiers that were sent to Jackson County for training. Campbell Station is pretty much in the twenty-first century a housing district of Tuckerman, AR, but it still a community nonetheless because of the rich history that makes it a part of Jackson County and Arkansas history.

9. Tuckerman (Jackson County, AR)

In the twenty-first century Tuckerman is known for their local ASWF Wrestling at a building located in the center of town. Tuckerman was first established with the building of the railroad through Jackson County, AR. Once the depot was built settlers began to flood into this new area. Businesses, churches, a post office, cotton, lumber, ect. which eventually gave rise to Tuckerman being officially recognized a new community of residents for Jackson County. Tuckerman after the Civil War but before desegregation was split into two different communities that ran along the tracks. One side were where whites thrive and the other side consisted of African Americans establishing and thriving on their own. Tuckerman would produce a famous basketball player in the 1960s, and it was see damage for tornadoes, but the town never gave up. In twenty-first century Tuckerman struggles as community to keep the economy up, but they are close community of people that help each other out when help is asked or needed.

10. Swifton (Jackson County, AR)

In middle of town there sets an older building built of brick that had once been a schoolhouse that had consisted of the whole grade school age of Swifton before they had to consolidate with Tuckerman School District in 2004. Currently in the twenty-first century it is the home of middle school students from all over the Jackson County School District which consists of Grubbs, Tuckerman, and Swifton combined. The school is an example of what a thriving town this was when the railroad was first finished in the area in the late 1800s, and that like other small towns in Jackson County once the advent of technology came about in the twentieth century the economy of the area began to decline. The town of Swifton exists on the right side of railroad coming from Tuckerman, AR, and to local residents in the twenty-first century its still their own thriving community with a rich history.

This Tour is a Driving or Biking Tour.

Jackson County, AR, My Home, Our History

Created by Lezlie Johnson on May 2nd 2023, 7:29:23 pm.

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Jackson County, AR is in northeastern part of Arkansas consisting of flat bottomlands and dense forest before the 19th century with local Native American tribes such as the Creeks, Cherokees, Osages, Quapaw, Chickasaws, and Choctaws living, hunting, and cultivating the land. After Americans began moving into the area and treaties were signed between the American government and local native tribes Jackson County would be very first communities created in Arkansas. Getting its name from the seventh President of the United States Andrew Jackson, the county had existed long before Arkansas became a state in 1836, and had a multitude of communities from the early 1800s that no longer exist in the twenty-first century, but there are those towns that are existing but are no longer the thriving communities that they once was.

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Jackson County, AR, My Home, Our History

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