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Located near the confluence of the Black and white Rivers,
the town of Jacksonport was once an important trade center and
busy steamboat port. In 1854 Jacksonport became the county seat
and a courthouse made of brick which were manufactured in
Jacksonport was built between 1869-1872. In the 1870's the Iron
Mountain & Southern Railroad lay track through
Jackson County,
but the planned spur to Jacksonport was never added. As the
train industry took over and the steamboat industry declined,
Jacksonport Arkansas slowly vanished. Having moved the county
seat to Newport in 1892, the courthouse in Jacksonport was
abandoned. In 1962, the Jackson County Historical Society
purchased the Jacksonport courthouse and began restoration in
1963.
Jacksonport became a state park in 1965. Jacksonport State
Park features the museum exhibits of the courthouse as well as
showing the river life of a paddle boat captain or deck hand
aboard a timber pushing work boat. The 1931 paddleboat, Mary
Woods No. 2 is open for tours seasonally. Jacksonport State Park
also offers a
hiking trail and
campground.
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To reach Jacksonport State Park from
Newport Arkansas along AK67, take exit 83 and turn west
(left) onto Highway 384. Continue 1 mile along Highway
384 and turn left (south) onto Highway 367. Follow
Highway 367 for 2 miles and turn right (north) onto
Highway 69 and continue for 3 miles to Jacksonport.
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