THREE PLACES TO EXPLORE NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY IN ARKANSAS

A lot of us here at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC are history buffs. Plus, with November being Native American Heritage Month, it’s a great time to look at some of the places in Arkansas where you can explore our state’s rich Native American history. While there are no federal Native American reservations in Arkansas, there are dozens of federally recognized tribes associated with Arkansas. These include the Quapaw, Tunica and Osage — all of which left their mark in history. Read on for three incredible places in Arkansas where you can explore Native American heritage! And if you need a top-notch vehicle to get you there, stop in today at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC, or check out our full lineup of great Buick and GMC vehicles right now on our website….

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PLUM BAYOU MOUNDS ARCHEOLOGICAL STATE PARK
490 Toltec Mounds Road | Scott, AR
Sprawling over a 100-acre site in Lonoke County near the small community of Scott, Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park (formerly known as the Toltec Mounds) is one of the largest Native American sites in the Mississippi River Valley. The centerpiece of the park is several towering earthen mounds, built entirely by hauling dirt in baskets, which were constructed between 650 and 1050 A.D. The mounds were built by a people known by archeologists as the Plum Bayou Culture, who had long since disappeared by the time Europeans first made contact with natives in the area.

Believed to have been used for ceremonial purposes for around 300 years, the site today includes 18 mounds, with the largest being 49 feet high. Several of the mounds, which originally featured flat tops where researchers believe powerful religious leaders constructed temples and homes, were built to line up with where the sun touches the horizon at the summer and winter equinox. Admission to the park is free, and there are well-maintained paved paths to accommodate strollers and wheelchairs. 

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PARKIN ARCHEOLOGICAL STATE PARK
60 State Hwy 184 | Parkin, AR
Located along the St. Francis River in Cross County, Parkin Archeological State Park preserves the site of a 17-acre Native American village. The village is believed to be the town of Casqui, which was mentioned in writings from the 1541 expedition by the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and home to the Arkansas Archeological Survey Research Station since 1990, the site is believed to have been established at some point between 1000 and 1250 A.D. as an important trading and farming village. Once surrounded by a water-filled moat and a high wooden wall made of locally harvested trees, the fortified village was home to up to a thousand inhabitants at one point. Excavations show they farmed a number of valuable crops, including beans, squash, sunflowers and tobacco, and prowled surrounding forests and waterways for fish, turtles and wild game. Today, park interpreters provide guided tours and educational events at the park, which includes a picnic area, playground and boat ramp to the St. Francis River. Admission is free. 

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THE MUSEUM OF NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY
202 SW O Street | Bentonville, AR
Founded in 2006 by David Bogle, a native of Bentonville who is a registered member of the Cherokee Nation, Bentonville’s Museum of Native American History moved to its current gallery space in June 2008. Currently, the museum houses a collection of over 10,000 Native American artifacts. The collection is a mixture of Bogle’s own collection along with items loaned to the museum by private collectors. Exhibitions at the museum take visitors through Native American history in the area, showcasing items ranging in history from the Paleo Period of 12,000 B.C. all the way up to art and artifacts from the present day. Admission to the museum is free, and they hold special exhibitions and events throughout the year.

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There’s a lot of great history out there in Arkansas, and if you need a great new or used vehicle to get you there, stop in and check out our great selection today at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC! Or you can check us out online right now!

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