Grant County: Nature, Architectural History, and Notable Memorial Sites

Gently rolling, pine-covered hills define Grant County. Even logged forestland is considered a bird sanctuary here. Fishing is a popular pastime along the Saline River. If you’d like to include nature and outdoor activities in your stay, the landscape and river offer specific ways to do so.

Buildings with a Remarkable History

Koon House #5, Koon Building #7, and the Slabtown Grocery Building are locally significant for their distinctive construction from vertically split logs and their association with the builder Henry Hillary “Pappy” Koon. Both their construction and the person behind them give these buildings their special connection to Grant County.

The Cross Roads School and Masonic Lodge offers a different architectural history highlight. It represents a two-story school type in a simple traditional style that is becoming increasingly rare in Arkansas. Both its design and its classification as a traditional school type are noteworthy.

The current Grant County Courthouse was dedicated on July 12, 1964, and is an example of Greek Revival architecture. The main building of the Grant County Museum features exhibits on the county’s history. The two places offer different perspectives: the courthouse represents a particular architectural style, while the museum explores the region’s history.

Parks and Memorial Sites

The Battle of Jenkins Ferry was part of the Union Army’s Red River Campaign in 1864. Jenkins’ Ferry Battleground State Park has informational signs, a picnic area, and a boat ramp. It offers both information to help orient visitors and practical facilities for a park visit.

The Grant County B-17 Memorial Park honors the airmen who died in the 1943 crash, as well as local veterans, with outdoor exhibits. Grant County Veterans Memorial Park features a replica of the B-17F Flying Fortress and a monument engraved with the names of the airmen who died. The park opened on October 12, 2015.

A Recurring Event

Timberfest is a recurring event on the calendar. Its main attraction is the Arkansas State Lumberjack Championship. If you’d like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the event dates in advance.

Planning Your Stay in Grant County

When planning your trip, you can prioritize these themes according to your interests: the hills, bird sanctuary, and fishing offer a focus on nature and recreation; the buildings, museum, battle history, and memorial sites offer historical and cultural connections. Timberfest adds a recurring event to these themes. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, this overview can help you decide what to focus on first.

Explore more destinations: Sheridan, Sharp County, Randolph County, Sevier County, Ashley County, Craighead, Stone County, Hempstead County

For the broader travel overview: Arkansas.