[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3687]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING ARKANSAS POST NATIONAL MEMORIAL AND PARK

 Mr. COTTON. Madam President, in honor of the National Parks 
Service's 100th birthday year, I want to recognize Arkansas Post 
National Memorial and Park. Arkansas Post was established as a trading 
post by Henri De Tonti in 1686 and was the first permanent European 
settlement in the lower Mississippi River valley. While the exact 
location moved several times, the area remained a vital trade center 
for much of the 17th and 18th centuries. The land was eventually ceded 
to Spain, who controlled the post for over 40 years. While under 
Spanish control, Arkansas Post was home to the Battle of Arkansas Post, 
a Revolutionary War battle between Spanish and British forces fought on 
April 17, 1783. Also known as the Colbert Raid, this battle was the 
only Revolutionary War battle to take place in what is today the State 
of Arkansas. Arkansas Post was briefly ceded back to the French before 
it was sold to the U.S. Government during the Louisiana Purchase.
  Today Arkansas Post National Memorial and Park is located in Arkansas 
County, AR. It was designated a National Memorial and National Historic 
Landmark in 1960 and was listed on the National Register of Historic 
Places in 1966. The National Park Service manages over 650 acres of 
park land at the site, and there is a State-managed visitors center and 
museum featuring display of Arkansas Post's rich history. Arkansas Post 
is a must-visit for any Arkansan looking to get out and enjoy the rich 
history of our State--especially those interested in the Revolutionary 
War. I would like to thank the National Park Service for its commitment 
to maintaining this important part of Arkansas history.

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