Page 4

1822 - John James Audubon, the famous naturalist-artist, visited Arkansas Post and there painted the Traill's Flycatcher. 1824 - Quapaw treaty was re-written by the Arkansas Territorial Government in Little Rock. All Quapaw lands were ceded to the Territory and the Indians were to be "relocated" in northeastern Oklahoma. Arkansas' days of Indian trade were ending. A new economy based on farming and commerce was being born. 1830 - The population of Arkansas Post had dwindled to one hundred and fourteen. 1839 - A branch house of the State Bank of Arkansas opened for business January 3 at Arkansas Post. Through mismanagement it was bankrupt by 1842. 1845 - Post of Arkansas was the only village within the limits of Arkansas County. 1847 - A great influx of settlers passed through Arkansas Post in search of new and low-priced lands. 1849 - Asiatic cholera broke out at Arkansas Post causing numerous deaths. 1850 - Another influx of emigrants passed through Arkansas Post. 1855 - The county seat of Arkansas County was moved north from Arkansas Post to DeWitt. 1861 - Confederate Fort Hindman was built at Arkansas Post and garrisoned with 5000 troops. 1863 - January 10 and 11 - The village of Arkansas Post was virtually destroyed by shelling from Federal gunboats in the Battle of Arkansas Post. Federal forces occupied the Post for the remainder of the war. 1865 to 1910 - Expansion of the railroad system in Arkansas corresponded with a decline in importance of riVer commerce. Arkansas Post declined in population and commercial importance. 1903 and 1927 - Two major flood years of the many such years the Arkansas River has undergone. Much of the original area of the Post was washed away, including all trace of Fort Hindman. The Arkansas River changed its course in 1903 to the present course. 1929 - Largely through the efforts of State Representative Ballard Deane, Arkansas Post was made a state park. 1964 - Arkansas Post was made a National Memorial administered by the National Park Service. The Memorial was established under authority of a bill introduced by United States Representative Norrell in 1960. Revised 11/9/7