Caddo Gap, Arkansas

Ever wondered what's written on those signs that surround the Indian brave. Photos taken in Feb. 2020.

The Town of Caddo Gap: Settled before 1850, the first village was located near the natural gap or narrows of the Caddo River. The coming of the Gurdon and Fort Smith Railroad in 1907 led to the construction of the present town on what was formerly the Jim Vaught plantation. For several years Caddo Gap was a popular health resort.

The Caddo People: This region was once the home of the Caddo Indians, whose settlement and towns were scattered over what is now southwestern Arkansas, northeastern Texas and northwestern Louisiana. The Caddo River, which flows near this point, and Caddo Gap itself were named for this intelligent and gifted native American people.

De Soto at Caddo Gap: In this area in 1541 a Spanish expedition from Florida commanded by Hernando De Soto encountered fierce resistance from the Indians whom they described as the best fighting men they had met. De Soto then turned to the southeast and descended the Caddo and Ouachita Rivers into what is now Louisiana where he died.

 Here De Soto reached his most westward point in the United States. Here was the Capitol of the warlike Tula Tribe Indians who fiercely fought De Soto and his men. Relics found in this vicinity suggest the romance of past centuries about which history will ever be meager and incomplete.

The Narrows on Caddo River: About 1 mile south of this point is the natural gap or narrows of the Caddo River, famed in history and legend. A pioneer road through the gap connected Fort Smith with Old Washington and other points, with a toll bridge spanning the river. The original gap has since been widened for a railroad and highway.

But wait, there's more!
And it’s in Caddo Gap, Arkansas.
The small town is steeped in history
and has a number of public markers
to substantiate the past.
We look at ‘em all
along with a couple of buildings
and the fine Caddo Indian statue.

Don't forget to drive by the Gap Mercantile, 35 Vaught Street, Caddo Gap, Arkansas 71935. It an old time country store, a neat little store. Lots of antiques displayed amongst locally made jams, jellies (Muscadine), soaps, Heirloom seeds, toys for the kids from the past and crafts. A replica of the vintage grocery and sundry store with a candy display, and stocked with nostalgic soda pop brands in glass bottles. Winter hours are 10 to 4, only open Friday and Saturday's. Winter is a good time to visit this part of the country, no ticks or chiggers and no sweltering hot days.

Watch out for logging trucks.

The National Tribune, Washington , D.C., Nov. 26, 1908.
Mrs Bessie Reynolds, who died at Caddo Gap, must have been a practical joker of the finest type. Doubtless the town is full as other places are of gentlemen who dislike to work between meals, but rather sit on a dry goods box, whittle and save the country. In Mrs Reynolds's will she announced that she had buried $10,000 in various places about the town, and that whoever found it could have it. As a result there has been more industry in Caddo Gap than ever before in its history, and men whose hands have for years known scarcely anything more difficult than a pack of cards or a knife and fork have been blistering them with the humble and laborious spade. The fever has been kept going by the discovery of $500 in gold in one place and $200 in bills in another. Caddo Gap is to-day probably the best spaded town plat in the United States, and if the people will take advantage of their thoro work to sow seed they may realize a crop which will be a consolation purse for those who have not succeeded in finding anything.

Elizabeth Shipley Reynolds 10 Dec 1835 - 15 Nov 1908 (aged 72) Oak Grove Cemetery, Caddo Gap, Montgomery County, AR. Husband was Middleton Reynolds born Oct. 1st in Georgia. He had a grist mill along the Caddo River.

Montgomery County ArkansasGenWeb Project

Caddo Gap
Caddo Gap, painting