[ArkansasSlim]

A couple weeks ago we were, again, exploring east Pike County and decided we would see how far we could drive down this abandoned railroad I have posted several times before. Obviously we had to stop at this bridge over the "Antoine River about three miles north/up-river from Graysonia.

[ArkansasSlim]

Here is the approach trestle where we stopped at the other end of the bridge. It appears someone has gone on there with a back-pack metal saw and sawed out a section of one rail.

[ArkansasSlim]

This is a pier of the above RR bridge and looking off of it.

[ArkansasSlim]

Somewhere in Arkansas a couple weeks ago I saw something I thought I would never get the opportunity to see, and that was an undisturbed Indian mound that probably dates to around 1400 A.D. And it is undisturbed because the land owner has "aggressively" protected it. "Aggressive" is an understatement because he has been known to shoot over the heads of people he saw near it. It is conical, about 30 feet in diameter, and about 20 feet high. One that I have seen in the past was a burial mound about the size of this one (info from historical records) but the only evidence of it was scattered broken pottery and human bone fragments. Another had a bulldozer trench through the middle because the property owner just wanted to see what was in there. Of course many, many, many have been destroyed by farming and construction.

I had seen this one from work I did on nearby property but never thought I would get a chance to actually "get up close and personal", and that opportunity came when an archeologist friend was tasked to do some work connected with it, and I was invited to tag along.

I'm sorry there are no photos, but I choose to not advertise it's location.

[ArkansasSlim]

This bronze Bench Mark is on the south abutment of the above railroad bridge. For those who cannot zoom in on it, it reads; U.S. COAST & GEODETIC SURVEY - BENCH MARK, ELEV. 392.178 FEET - ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL, $250 FINE OR IMPRISONMENT - FOR DISTURBING THIS MARK, P23 - 1932 In my contract archeology work on the Ouachita National Forest it was not unusual to find one of these out in the boonies in the middle of nowhere. Out there they are always on Section corners and in the top of concrete obelisk sticking about six inches or so above the surface of the ground. The broken line across the center is pointing North.

[ArkansasSlim]

There are "salt springs" across the river east of Arkadelphia, Clark County, which have been used to obtain salt since prehistoric times. The remains of very large clay pots have been found there in the past which have been attributed to the Caddo Indians. It was also used by the local population, and the military during the Civil War. This very large iron pot was used during those historic times. My granddaughter is 5' 9" tall and is standing by it for scale to show how large it really is. The pot is outside the Clark County Historical Association's depot museum in Arkadelphia and the last time I was there they still had the photos of the ghost town of Graysonia still on the walls.

[13kpaw333]

Arkansas Slim - thanks for posting your photos and treats of information.

[ArkansasSlim]

Originally Posted by 13kpaw333

Arkansas Slim - thanks for posting your photos and treats of information.

Thanks for the roses, my pleasure. I enjoy sharing parts and pieces of our wonderful state. I try to post stuff that most people do not know about and/or will never have the opportunity to see it. Much of it is so remote it would be difficult to find even if you are really trying to go to it. And some, like the historic plaques I post, because most people do not take time to look.

[gthog61]

Originally Posted by ArkansasSlim

Somewhere in Arkansas a couple weeks ago I saw something I thought I would never get the opportunity to see, and that was an undisturbed Indian mound that probably dates to around 1400 A.D. And it is undisturbed because the land owner has "aggressively" protected it. "Aggressive" is an understatement because he has been known to shoot over the heads of people he saw near it. It is conical, about 30 feet in diameter, and about 20 feet high. One that I have seen in the past was a burial mound about the size of this one (info from historical records) but the only evidence of it was scattered broken pottery and human bone fragments. Another had a bulldozer trench through the middle because the property owner just wanted to see what was in there. Of course many, many, many have been destroyed by farming and construction.

I had seen this one from work I did on nearby property but never thought I would get a chance to actually "get up close and personal", and that opportunity came when an archeologist friend was tasked to do some work connected with it, and I was invited to tag along.

I'm sorry there are no photos, but I choose to not advertise it's location.

I am glad you had permission to visit so you didn't get shot at. I like your pictures.

[ArkansasSlim]

Originally Posted by gthog61

I am glad you had permission to visit so you didn't get shot at. I like your pictures.

Thanks for the roses. I'm all over the "back-country" but don't cross fences or go through gates without permission.