Heritage Trail Partners

2006 Accomplishments for HTP

The Heritage Trail Partners reached a number of goals in 2006 thanks to the help and support of our board members, volunteers and supporters.

2006 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Lowell Museum designated as official interpretive site for the Heritage Trail.
Butterfield Trail sign at Robinson’s Road was moved to proper location on Apple Blossom Road and Old Wire Road in Lowell thanks to Jackie Perry and Glenn Jones.
New Board members Blair Cromwell and Tony Banzhaf.
Pea Ridge Mayor Jackie Crabtree elected president of Board.
Heritage Trail signs erected (84 in all) and dedications held in Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville. Signs also put up in Lowell and Pea Ridge. Approval was granted from the Arkansas Highway department and district engineer’s offices.
John McLarty, Glenn Jones and Marilyn Heifner met with Congressman John Boozman and aide re: Heritage Trail. He signed the sign and promised his support.
Congressman Boozman introduced legislation (HB 5980) for a resource study along the “Ox-Bow Route” of the Butterfield Overland Trail in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
A $25,000 grant was received from the Arkansas Parks and Tourism Commission.
Presentation of progress of Heritage Trail Partners was made to Arkansas Parks and Tourism Commission by John McLarty.
Dedication of signs at Head’s Crossing held May 3, 2006. Wayside exhibits were partially funded by a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council.
Heritage Trail Partners joined the Arkansas and Oklahoma chapters of the Trail of Tears.
Cities of Rogers, Springdale, Bentonville and Fayetteville contributed to cost of Heritage Trail signs.
Lowell acquired its own stagecoach, received grant funding for park.
Brochure of the Butterfield Trail through Benton, Washington, Crawford and Sebastian counties was designed by Kirby Sanders and printed by the Fayetteville A & P Commission. 20,000 copies were printed. They are being distributed through Museums, Chambers of Commerce and CVB’s throughout the region.
Trail of Tears corridor atlas for Arkansas by Amber Horne was published. Several errors have been discovered by Heritage Trail Partners.
John McLarty was elected Vice President of the Arkansas chapter of the Trail of Tears.
Butterfield Trail Commemorative Ride was scheduled September 17-18 to go from Fayetteville to Avoca. Ride was cut short by rain, thunder and lightening on the second day.
Legislation was passed by House and Senate and signed by President to study addition of Benge and Bell routes to National Trail of Tears.
Fran Manella, head of National Parks Service, visited Northwest Arkansas and met with members of Heritage Trail Partners. She was impressed with the level of local involvement and advised Boozman to introduce legislation to include Butterfield as National Historic Trail.
Historian Aaron Mahr and Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management John Conoboy with National Parks Service visited Trail of Tears sites in Washington and Benton counties. They offered help with signage.
Cross Hollow red dirt mine was turned down by Benton County Planning Commission, and Quorum Court. Suit has been filed in Benton County court.
Offer was made to owner of Cross Hollow for HTP to purchase five acres at crossroads for $24,000.
Two Trail of Tears waysides were dedicated at Pea Ridge National Military Park.
Benge route in south Fayetteville approved by NWARPC 2030 plan.
Fayetteville trail on Sixth Street from Brenda’s Bigger Burger to Razorback Road will be named Tsa La Gi Trail.
Local Trail of Tears research project was started. Members include Susan Young, John McLarty, A. D. Poole, Glenn Jones, and Marilyn Heifner. Committee has researched old road records, receipts, old maps, and land patent records. Cannon route documentation is nearing completion. Study expanded to include Benge route,
Pay Pal account established on website for membership, ride registration, etc.
The following sites were designated as priorities for Wayside exhibits: Camp Stephens, Fitzgerald Station, Camp Mudtown, Cross Hollow, and Ridge House.
Master trial plans from all cities gathered by NWARPC. It was in the original goals of Heritage Trail Partners to link the off-road trails of all of the cities in the region.