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Civil War in Helena, Arkansas

November 11, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner 7 Comments

(Note: Helena Advertising and Promotions Commission sponsored this blogger trip. Opinions are my own.)

Freedom Park, Helena, Ar
Freedom Park

On this Veterans Day, I’m thinking about my recent Civil War tour of Helena, Arkansas. Arkansas is rich in Civil War history and Helena in particular has a unique past as a Union stronghold. Yes, Union… Although a pro-South state, the town of Helena (population 1,600 at the time) was largely untouched by Civil War until General Samuel Curtis marched into town with twelve thousand Union soldiers.

This year marked the 150th year of the Battle of Helena. I’m embarrassed to say until my recent trip to Helena, (courtesy of Helena Advertising and Promotions Commission), I wasn’t aware of this battle.   I was always more concerned with diagramming sentences than history, and this particular battle slipped through the cracks of my Arkansas education. Plus, perhaps understandably the Battle of Helena was completely overshadowed by Gettysburg, which occurred the same day.

My quick glimpse of Civil War sites will not do justice to the incredible history lesson that is Helena. Visit Civil War Helena for a more comprehensive look. Better yet, drive on over.
Freedom Park

Camps at Freedom Park housed most of the slaves escaping through Arkansas. This was Arkansas’ first stop on the Underground Railroad.

Freedom Park, Helena, Ar
Re-enactor Jack Myers (Delta Cultural Center) at Freedom Park.
Freedom Park, Helena, Ar
Freedom Park includes five exhibits with illustrated panels,
life size figures and statues, and structures representing a plantation house and refugee dwelling.
Fort Curtis

From inside this earthen fort, the sky looked the same, yet the ground felt hallowed.

Fort Curtis, Helena
Fort Curtis
Fort Curtis, Helena, Ar
Fort Curtis
Battery C
Strategically placed along the tip of Crowley’s Ridge, Battery C was perfectly positioned to defend from Confederate land attacks as well as control the Mississippi River.  A truly breathtaking view, the land has been preserved and protected by a tangled growth of kudzu. 
Battery C, Helena Ar
View of the Mississippi from Battery C
Battery C, Helena, Arkansas
Battery C under development – Wire structure to represent original earthen battery.

Helena is a must see for history buffs. Even if you’ve never considered yourself a fan of Civil War history, you’ll probably change your mind after a visit to Helena. How could you not?


On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear; but spirits linger to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls…This is the great reward of service. To live far out and on, in the life of others;…to give life’s best for such high sake that it should be found again unto eternal life.― Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
talya
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
P.S. A big thank you to Jack Myers and Ron Kelley (Delta Cultural Center) for tours of Freedom Park and Fort Curtis and Cathy Cunningham (Southern Bancorp Community Partners) for providing a fascinating look at Battery C under development.


Check out my other Helena blog posts by clicking on the links below…
King Biscuit Time and the Music of Helena
Canoeing the Mississippi River at Helena




Filed Under: Arkansas, Travel Tagged With: Civil War, Helena Arkansas, Mississippi Delta, Mississippi River

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Comments

  1. Debbie Arnold says

    November 11, 2013 at 8:00 am

    Great round up of these visits. You are so ahead of the game! Love the photo captures. I need to shadow you😍

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 11, 2013 at 8:33 am

      Thanks Debbie! I don’t know about shadowing me – your Mississippi River post/pics were pretty terrific!

      Reply
  2. Tim Hardin says

    November 11, 2013 at 9:07 am

    Awesome info on Helena and the Battle of Helena! I’ve been there many times, and I’m sorry to admit that I knew nothing about the Civil War significance of Helena. As always, your blog is Awesome and a Great read. Thanks for sharing this, Talya. Now, I know what I didn’t know and should have known.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 11, 2013 at 5:53 pm

      Thanks for reading Tim:)

      Reply
  3. Patricia A. Laster says

    November 12, 2013 at 6:55 am

    Great, as usual.

    Reply
    • Kayleigh says

      December 2, 2016 at 2:51 am

      That’s an astute answer to a tricky quteison

      Reply
  4. Dorothy Johnson says

    November 13, 2013 at 9:21 am

    You make me want to visit Helena. So much history right in our own backyard.

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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