Petit Jean State Park - Pioneer Cabin
The Pioneers of Petit Jean
Pioneer Cabin
The pioneer cabin at Petit Jean
State Park is among the oldest
structures in the state of
Arkansas.
The pioneer cabin at Petit Jean
State Park is among the oldest
structures in the state of
Arkansas.
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| Pioneer Cabin Petit Jean State Park Morrilton, Arkansas |
History Amidst Nature
The pioneer cabin stands within
earshot of Cedar Falls, a
reminder of the days when Petit
Jean Mountain was still on the
frontier.
The pioneer cabin stands within
earshot of Cedar Falls, a
reminder of the days when Petit
Jean Mountain was still on the
frontier.
Although Petit Jean State Park is best
known for its outstanding views and
stunning waterfall, the park is also a
centerpiece of Arkansas history.
Among the park's more unique
features is a preserved pioneer cabin.
Built in around 1845, the cabin is one
of the oldest standing such structures
in the Natural State. In fact, when
John Walker built it, the home was
one of only two on Petit Jean
Mountain.
Nine years later the cabin passed to
Owen and Jane West, who eventually
raised a family of nine children. Five
of them, in fact, were born in this
single-room cabin.
While Petit Jean is today a popular
and picturesque resort area, in the
1840s and 1850s it was a
hard-scrabble settlement on the edge
of the frontier. The few families who
lived here scratched a living from the
rocky soil and from what game they
were able to kill.
known for its outstanding views and
stunning waterfall, the park is also a
centerpiece of Arkansas history.
Among the park's more unique
features is a preserved pioneer cabin.
Built in around 1845, the cabin is one
of the oldest standing such structures
in the Natural State. In fact, when
John Walker built it, the home was
one of only two on Petit Jean
Mountain.
Nine years later the cabin passed to
Owen and Jane West, who eventually
raised a family of nine children. Five
of them, in fact, were born in this
single-room cabin.
While Petit Jean is today a popular
and picturesque resort area, in the
1840s and 1850s it was a
hard-scrabble settlement on the edge
of the frontier. The few families who
lived here scratched a living from the
rocky soil and from what game they
were able to kill.
This was not the Old South of Gone With the
Wind, yet these people suffered heavily
during the Civil War. This area of Arkansas
was overrun by guerrilla bands who preyed
mercilessly on civilians and owed little
allegiance to either side.
The pioneer cabin at Petit Jean stands just
off Highway 154.
Wind, yet these people suffered heavily
during the Civil War. This area of Arkansas
was overrun by guerrilla bands who preyed
mercilessly on civilians and owed little
allegiance to either side.
The pioneer cabin at Petit Jean stands just
off Highway 154.