Crawford County Albert Pike School House - Van Buren, AR - Former Schools on Waymarking.com

Historical School House that has been relocated to the grounds of the Crawford County Courthouse in Van Buren, Arkansas. There is an official 1936 Arkansas Centennial Historical marker in front of it that reads:

Crawford County
Albert Pike School House

In this small log building Albert
Pike noted lawyer, poet and
mason taught school in 1832. He
later went to Little Rock to
become editor of the Advocate.

1836 Arkansas Centennial Comm Arkansas History Comm 1936

Another marker on the school reads:

Let there be Light
in Memoriam
Albert Pike
A distinguished Mason
In this old building
Albert Pike taught his first school
in Arkansas in 1832.

To the past go more dead faces, every year;
As the Loved leave vacant places,
every year;
Lines from Pike's most famous poem "Every Year"

This tablet erected by Fort Smith Consistory.
Grounds dedicated by the Grand Lodge of Arkansas F.&A.M.
July 10, 1936.

and another plaque on the school house reads:

ALBERT PIKE SCHOOL

Erected 1820

This restoration project made possible through
the efforts of

Van Buren Masonic Lodge #6 F. & A.M.
W. L. Swink, House Mover
Crawford County Historical Society
Van Buren Chamber of Commerce

August 1, 1974

Still yet another plaque reads:

Restored by
Van Buren Masonic Lodge No. 6
John Melton W.M.

Cedar Masonic Lodge No. 762
Jim Atwell W.M. 1998

And just to the left front corner of the school house is yet another marker which reads:

Albert Pike Schoolhouse

For a time, Crawford County was the home of General Albert Pike. Pike was a general in the Confederate States of America Army and was in charge of the Indian Nation. The Indian Nations were a vital asset to the soldiers from the south. The Confederacy named Albert Pike to negotiate treaties with the five civilized tribes, which were the Cherokees, Creeks, Seminoles, Choctaws, and Chickasaws. These tribes played instrumental roles in the Battles of Prairie Grove and Pea Ridge. Because of Pike, these nations were fully behind the cause of the Confederate Army. This famous Arkansan educated students in the Van Buren area in a log building that was later move to the courthouse square.

The Civil War Comes Home

Still yet there is another small plaque on the outside wall of the school house that reads:

Albert Pike School Museum
Founded 6-15-1956
Donated to Crawford County by
Mrs. Allen (Maude) Henderson

Address: Main & 3rd Van Buren, Arkansas USA Web Site: Not listed

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