Lafayette County Historical Society
 
 

  History 

The Lafayette County Historical Society was organized on Sunday, March 12, 1961. Mr. Briner Thomas acted as chairman and was elected President to serve the remainder of the year. Other officers elected were: Mrs. Joe T. Rhodes, Vice President;Frank Key, Secretary-Reporter; Miss Byrdie Crabtree, Parliamentarian; Mrs. Aletha Hamiter, Historian; and Miss Marjorie Walker, Custodian.

The Society, from its beginning, set a number of goals to accomplish and were very successful with most of them.  Many Historic spots have been marked with signs, plaques, etc., such as the grave of the first Governor of the State of Arkansas, James S. Conway, and the site of the first courthouse of the county, on "Chickininny Prairie" near Red River, west of Lewisville, and on the site of the old Bodcaw Lumber Company.

Many interesting pictures, news items, papers, books, and relics have been donated to the Society and these are housed in the Lafayette County Historical Archives.

One of the projects undertaken by the Society was the removal of the remains of Lafayette County's first jail from the property on Chickaninny Prairie to a location on the present courthouse square and the reconstruction of the building as a museum piece.

Each year the Society has placed an Historical Society exhibit at the County Fair.

The many people who have given their time and money to preserve the history and artifacts of our County have left a legacy for us, and we must do our part to carry on with this good work.
 
 

  Meetings 

The Society  now meets every month on the 3rd Sunday at 2:30PM
at the courthouse annex, Lafayette County Courthouse.
 

  Publication 

The "Lafayette Lookback" is published biannually in
May and November. Genealogies, County history, Cemetery lists,
Church records, and related articles are preserved in
this publication.

   Membership Application 

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Name
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Address
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City
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State                                                                  Zip

Dues:  $15.00 per year or $20.00 for a couple.

Send to:
Wilda Knight, Secretary
P.O. Box 758
Lewisville, Ar. 71845
Phone: 870-921-5252
Fax: 870-921-5252
E-mail:

Come And Help Us To Keep The Past
Alive For The Future!!!

Please send submissions, comments or suggestions to:
Michelle Garner, County Coordinator

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