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QUALITY OF PLACE
Courthouse. Constructed in 1842, it is the
oldest operating courthouse 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
The time to make a final plan is today. and returned the statue to its rightful
place in 2003, where she continues to
stand today.
By seriously considering planning your final arrangements Albert Pike Schoolhouse
in advance, you are taking care of an important family Adjacent to the courthouse sits the
responsibility that many people ignore. Pre-planning your historic Albert Pike Schoolhouse. The
funeral service – with experienced guidance from the Dignity one-room school building was used by
the famed local resident and military
Memorial network of providers – can give you peace of general, Albert Pike. The structure has
®
mind and relieve your loved ones of difficult decisions later. been preserved to look as it did during
Pike’s lifetime. It is thought to have been
5 GOOD REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD PRE-PLAN NOW. built around 1820 and is one of the oldest
standing buildings in Arkansas. The
schoolhouse is a perfect complement to
the courthouse and its rich legacy.
› Real peace of mind for you and your family Fairview Cemetery
Row upon row of headstones
› Make your final wishes known mark graves that date back nearly
› Relieve loved ones from an unexpected financial burden two centuries in Van Buren’s Fairview
Cemetery. Listed on the National
› Lock in today’s prices and avoid future cost increases
Register of Historic Places, Fairview
› Customize terms and a plan to fit your budget is the oldest cemetery in the county
and boasts monuments from as early
Call 479-474-5081 to get started on your personalized plan. as 1816. The grounds and cemetery
artifacts are meticulously kept in order
to preserve Fairview’s history and give
visitors an accurate representation
of how the area appeared to earlier
generations. It houses a Confederate
section containing many graves of
Confederate soldiers. These soldiers
died from wounds or diseases in the
Civil War at the Battles of Van Buren,
Dripping Springs, Pea Ridge, and
Prairie Grove. Fairview also houses the
infamous “mystery grave”, which some
believe may actually be a soldier from
the Hernando de Soto expedition.
vanburenchamber.org Van Buren Chamber 2026 Community Profile 29
