Van Buren

by Tom Wing

Overview

The town of Van Buren was first named after the area post office established in 1831 in honor of Martin Van Buren. The town, which grew up on the Arkansas River, officially took its name when the city was incorporated in 1842. Van Buren's golden age occurred in the mid—19th century as steamboats brought settlers, migrating Native Americans, slaves, and European immigrants to the frontier. With Indian Territory (Oklahoma) nearby, Van Buren was an entry point to the West, not unlike St. Louis and Kansas City. After the Civil War, railroads replaced the steamboat as the main mode of transportation and resource distribution across the country. Later, Interstate 40 was built, bisecting the town and contributing to the city's heritage as a transportation center.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467115872
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	03/28/2016
Series:	Images of America Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Tom Wing works as an assistant professor of history at the University of Arkansas—Fort Smith and director of the Drennen—Scott Historic Site. Wing compiled this work largely from the UAFS—Cobb Family Collection, the restoration works of Dr. Ray Wallace with assistance from Dr. Henry Rinne, private collections, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Center for Arkansas History and Culture. This compilation offers a glimpse at local street scenes, architecture, and leisure time—a compelling look that illustrates the progress and growth of the “Queen City of Arkansas.”

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 6

Introduction 7

1 Predecessors, Pioneers, and People of Interest 9

2 Origins Unknown 45

3 Coming Together 59

4 Getting Connected 105

5 Acts of Nature 119

About the Drennen-Scott House 127