Park A Day: Parkin Archaeological State Park

I haven't been to this park, but I was reading about its history. I thought it was cool that the first recorded Christian ceremony in Arkansas occurred there on June 18, 1541. Hernando de Soto and his expedition were visiting and the chief of the Casqui province asked them to ask their God for rain. The area was suffering from a drought. Arkansas hasn't changed much. Being Spanish, they were Catholic, so they obliged and had the first mass in Arkansas.

Parkin Mound was listed on the Register of National Historic Landmarks in 1964 (on June 19) and the act to make it a state park was approved in 1965. Today, Parkin is an actual working archaeological dig. Visitors can see the lab and some of the field work if they are working. This sounds like a great place to bring a budding Indiana Jones.

Parkin has a short walking trail, a picnic area, pavilion and playground. If you call in advance, they will give special tours to family groups and schools. They offer many programs including guided tours, weapons demos and more. Even if you don't arrange a special tour, the visitor's center is open and they have a 1910 Northern Ohio Schoolhouse you can tour on your own.

Admission is $3. Call 870-755-2500 for tour pricing and more info. The park is located in Parkin, of course, which is about 2 hours from Little Rock. Google Map.

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