Early 19th century French maps of Arkansas show two families — the Futenah Establishment and the Guillaume Plantation — on the upper White River, possibly as high as the split of the East, Middle and West Forks on the east side of present-day Fayetteville. The maps of this early period aren’t accurate in their depiction … More Futenah and Guillaume
Since 1950, Exchange Clubs across America have dedicated thousands of Freedom Shrines in civic buildings, schools, libraries and state capitols. The Freedom Shrines are permanent displays of historic American documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Fayetteville Exchange Club provided a Freedom Shrine for the first … More Rededication of Freedom Shrine
Although one of the most recognizable landmarks on the horizons of Northwest Arkansas, the clock tower of the Historic Washington County Courthouse didn’t always point to the sky. In the early 1960s, the original wood-frame steeple began showing its wear. The county, then under the administration of County Judge Gene Thrasher, determined that the steeple's … More Courthouse Steeple Replacement
Fayetteville's first public library was housed in the basement of the Historic Washington County Courthouse, starting in 1916. Although lending libraries had been operated by individuals, Rev. J.J. Vaulx came up with the idea for a public library and his daughter, Julia Vaulx, who became the University of Arkansas librarian, started advocating for the public … More First Library Was in Courthouse Basement
The 90-year-old mural commemorating the troops who served during World War I will be rededicated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, in the second-floor lobby of the Historic Washington County Courthouse. In 1920, the Marion Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution contracted with William Steen, a New York artist who had finished a … More World War I Mural to Be Rededicated
Although no definitive study has been made of the courtrooms in Arkansas, the restored courtroom on the third floor of the Historic Washington County Courthouse is likely the largest functioning courtroom in the state. With its balcony gallery reopened to the court proceedings, the courtroom can hold more than 200 people. Some other sizable courtrooms: … More Largest Functioning Courtroom in Arkansas
The fourth county courthouse as it appeared about 1890. William Campbell, in his book One Hundred Years of Fayetteville: 1828-1928, reports that the first courthouse in Washington County was built in 1829 about where Block Avenue and Center Street intersect. "It was a rude log house 20×20, with a puncheon floor, covered with three-foot clapboards … More Early Washington County Courthouses