Arkansas Post Montgomery's Tavern & Johnston and Armstrong's Store Historic Structure Report/Historical Data

This report has been prepared to provide historical background data to assist personnel of the University of Arkansas Archeological Field School in their excavation of the Montgomery Tavern and Johnston and Armstrong's Store lots.

In September of 1970 it was brought to the attention of the Master Plan Team by Management Assistant Frank Hastings that the University of Arkansas Archeological Field School was interested in investigating sites at Arkansas Post. The question was referred to personnel at the Southeast Archeological Center, and it was suggested by Archeologist John Walker that the University of Arkansas Field School might find an excavation of the Montgomery Tavern and Johnston and Armstrong's Store lots challenging and rewarding. After considerable negotiations, a contract was entered into by the National Park Service and the University of Arkansas Archeological Field School for an archeological investigation of the subject lots. To provide background information on the history of the lots and structures which were located thereon, it was agreed that the Division of History and Historic Architecture, Eastern Service Center, would prepare a Historic Structure and Grounds Report on Montgomery's Tavern and Johnston and Armstrong's Store.

A number of persons have assisted with preparation of this report. Particular thanks are due Management Assistant Frank Hastings for his assistance and interest. It was he who fathered the project. My friends and colleagues of the Southeast Archeological Center, John Griffin and John Walker, read my manuscript in draft, while Archeologist Walker shared his encyclopedic knowledge of the area. Regional Museum Specialist Albert Manucy and Master Plan Team Captain James Killian successfully led the struggle to get Service funds allotted to the project. To my friends in Arkansas County, I owe a debt for assistance. Those who were especially helpful were: Bill Norsworthy, Johnny Gunnell, and Bruce Kendall at the Arkansas County Courthouse in DeWitt; Mrs. Norman Core of Almyra; Garner Allen of the Stuttgart News-Leader; and Mrs. Thelma Mattmiller of the Arkansas County Museum. Dr. John Ferguson and the staff of the Arkansas History Commission went out of their way to be helpful, as did Mrs. Margaret Ross of the Arkansas Gazette and Dr. Lonnie White, professor of history at Memphis State University. I also want to express my appreciation to Pat Martin and Dr. Michael P. Hoffman and their crew of the Arkansas Archeological Field School for undertaking this project, answering my many questions, and for the pleasant hours of conversation and speculation.

Last but not least, I wish to thank my colleague Frank Sarles for his editorial comments, Jerry Rehfuss for drawing the base map and covers, and Mrs. Beatrice B. Libys for the hours she spent skillfully typing the manuscript.

Edwin C. Bearss