Powhatan Courthouse
A great place to do research
Powhatan Courthouse
A great place to do research
The Courthouse: First erected in 1873.....Burned in 1885.....cornerstone of the courthouse standing today was laid May 10, 1888. Contains records dating back to 1813. In 1963 voters decided to consolidate two county seats into one at Walnut Ridge AR, where a new courthouse was to be built. In 1966, county officials departed for the last time.
In 1968 Governor Winthrop Rockefeller initiated interest in the restoration when he sent a team of specialists from Williamsburg, Virginia to visit and evaluate the buildings potential.
The courthouse was placed on the "National Register of Historic Places" in February of 1970. Restoration began in January 1971 and completed 1973 with funds raised for restoration by the Lawrence Co. Development Council and the Powhatan Courthouse Restoration Committee, with grants and donations.
The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism has continued restoration and interpretation of the site. The Lawrence County Historical Society maintains the archives containing some of the oldest records in the state.
Courthouse Exhibits: Two rooms on the main floor depict the history of Powhatan from earliest settler until 1870 and the second emphasizing the growth and progression of the area since 1870.
The research room and library, operated by the Lawrence County Historical Society are also housed on the first floor. Official records of Lawrence County, dating from 1813 are available to genealogists and other researchers. (tax records, land, marriages, county records may be searched on microfilm)
The Marriage 1821-1922 LDS Rolls
Will and Probate 1817-1919 , also County Court Records 1818-1880
Chancery Court Records - Tax Records and Personal Property Tax - Loose Probate Records 1815-1890
Many individual family records are there, as well as past issues of the Lawrence County Historical Society Journals...
The Historical Society Page and index of issues
For further information on park programs fees contact: Mrs. Evelyn Flippo who is there daily to help researchers...
The Courthouse hours are 6 days a week, 8 AM to 5 PM - Sunday 1 to 5 PM
Powhatan Courthouse State Park
P.O. Box 93 Powhatan, Arkansas 72458
Telephone: (870) 878-6794