Located in the southwest corner of Crawford County, The area was first settled in 1818, and it was named after the newly appointed Secretary of State, Martin Van Buren. The Drennen-Scott Historic Site is the former home of pioneer John Drennen, the co-founder of Van Buren who was also responsible for settlement payments to relocated Cherokee in Indian Territory. Today the home serves as a museum and as a classroom and lab for the Historical Interpretation Program at University of Arkansas. The structure is linked to the Trail of Tears, the Underground Railroad and the Civil War, and houses many family keepsakes that had been untouched for the previous 150 years.
The best way to appreciate the scenic foothills and get a window seat to a bygone era is by riding the Arkansas Missouri Railroad Train through Wheels in Motion tours. Enjoy exploring the six blocks of beautifully restored buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s listed on the National Register of Historic Places that make up the city’s Main Street National Historic District. These buildings are now unique shops, boutiques, salons, galleries and the River Valley restaurants. Be sure to check the art collections on display at the Van Buren River Valley Museum Association, Crawford County Art Center and at the Bob Burns Museum which also has works you can view in the Old Frisco Train Station. Also gracing Main Street for more than a hundred years is the beautifully-restored King Opera House.
The Fort Smith National Historic Site located primarily in Fort Smith, Arkansas along the Arkansas River and was established to protect the remains of two 19th-century U.S. military forts, including a building which once housed the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960. While you’re enjoying all this historic city has to offer, you’ll have accommodations waiting to fulfill all of your travel needs when you stay at one of our Choice Hotels in Van Buren, AR. Book a room online now!