Marion, Arkansas has a population of around 7,000 people, most of whom are employed in Memphis, West Memphis, or the new rail yards just outside of town. To get around in Marion, you usually have to drive on the main street, Military Road. Most people drive down this road every day and don't even realize that they are driving on an important part of the history of not only Arkansas but the entire United States. Before the invention of the rail system and the building of highways, Military Road was a major transportation route for citizens of the Arkansas Territory and was even part of the Trail of Tears. It used to run from the northeast corner of the state all the way to current day Benton, AR. For my Arkansas Memory Project, I am detailing the background and historical signifigance of Military Road.

Historic Sites on the Road
Red Dot - Marion First United Methodist Church (picture circa 1900s) was built in 1876, the second oldest building still in its original location on Militarty Road.  It is not the same building today, but it is in the same place.

Blue Dot - Marion Hotel was built in 1911 and still stands today.




TABLE OF CONTENTS

References to Military Road
in Margaret Woolfolk's History of Marion and History of Crittenden County

Interview
with Marion resident Ernest Crawford, a former Boy Scout who marked the path of the Trail of Tears through Marion in the 70's

Interview
with Margaret Woolfolk, a Crittenden County lawyer with her home and office in Marion. On the side, she is quite the historian

Article
from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette about part of the Military Road in Benton, AR

Gallery
of pictures related to Military Road and its history (small)

Bibliography

If you would like to know more about the project or add some additional information, e-mail me here.