Page 22 - 2025 Van Buren Chamber Community Profile

QUALITY OF PLACE

the oldest operating court building west
of the Mississippi River. Inside, visitors
can browse a gallery of photographs,
clippings, and artwork from the town’s
past. These showcase residents and sites
from throughout the years.
The building features many unique
touches, including the famous Seth
Thomas Clock Tower, along with an
ornate statue and fountain located on
the building grounds. Known as Hebe,
the statue is that of the Greek goddess
of youth and happiness. It was erected
on the courthouse lawn in 1908 by the
Women’s Village Improvement Society.
After the original fell into disrepair, GFWC
- Women’s League of Van Buren restored
and returned the statue to its rightful
place in 2003, where she continues to
stand today.
Albert Pike Schoolhouse
Adjacent to the courthouse sits the The Frisco Depot and Trolley in Historic Downtown Van Buren.
historic Albert Pike Schoolhouse. The Photo courtesy Van Buren A&P
one-room school building was used by Places, Fairview is the oldest cemetery in be a soldier from the Hernando de Soto
the famed local resident and military the county and boasts monuments from as expedition.
general, Albert Pike. The structure has early as 1816. The grounds and cemetery Frisco Depot
been preserved to look as it did during artifacts are meticulously kept in order For more than 100 years, one of the
Pike’s lifetime. It is thought to have been to preserve Fairview’s history and give first sites that visitors to Van Buren have
built around 1820 and is one of the oldest visitors an accurate representation of how
set foot on has been the downtown Frisco
standing buildings in Arkansas. The the area appeared to earlier generations.
Depot. Built in 1901, the location served as
schoolhouse is a perfect complement to It houses a section containing many graves
the courthouse and its rich legacy. of Confederate soldiers who died from a major railway station during the railroad’s
prime. Today, the depot operates as the
Fairview Cemetery wounds or diseases in the Civil War at the Van Buren Visitors Center and is home to
Row upon row of headstones mark Battles of Van Buren, Dripping Springs, the River Valley Museum. Travelers can
graves that date back over two centuries Pea Ridge, and Prairie Grove. Fairview also board vintage railcars at the station
in Van Buren’s Fairview Cemetery. Listed also houses the infamous “mystery and take a ride through the scenic Boston
on the National Register of Historic grave,” which some believe may actually Mountains.

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22 Van Buren Chamber 2025 Community Profile vanburenchamber.org