The Fielder House in Fordyce is the only surviving residence from before the railroad or the founding of Fordyce. Comparing it chronologically with the later railroad buildings brings the town’s history to life: the house represents an early period, while the depots reflect Fordyce’s railroad history. That history is also celebrated at the annual Fordyce on the Cotton Belt Festival.
Fordyce and Railroad History
The Cotton Belt Depot in Fordyce is a 1925 building in the Mediterranean and Craftsman styles. The Rock Island Railway Depot dates to around 1925. The tracks of the Fordyce and Princeton Railroad once ran south to connect with the Cotton Belt main line and north into the forests.
The Fordyce on the Cotton Belt Festival takes place annually on the fourth Saturday in April and celebrates the town’s railroad history. The surviving railroad buildings and a recurring festival thus offer two distinct ways to engage with the same subject. If you’d like to plan your trip around this date, check the date for the relevant year.
Building History, Museum, and Townscapes
The Dallas County Courthouse is the largest and finest Classical Revival building in Dallas County. It is also a central landmark and an icon of the county. At the Dallas County Museum, exhibits focus on local geology and pioneer pottery from kilns in the county, described as the first in Arkansas. Natural history and pottery traditions thus stand alongside the county’s architectural heritage.
The Fordyce Mural also celebrates the town’s past, in vivid colors. The Fordyce Commercial Historic District offers a more concrete look at building history: the district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 20, 2008. At 202 North Main stands the Nutt-Trussell Building, the district’s oldest building. The 1904 Wynne House in Fordyce is built in the Classical Revival style and is also listed on the National Register.
Other buildings offer insight into different aspects of local architectural history. The D. C. Gates House at 609 Charlotte is a good example of the bungalows in the Charlotte Street Historic District. The Dallas County Training School High School Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 21, 2004. Differences in construction dates, architectural styles, and listings offer several perspectives on the area’s historic heritage.
Historic Sites and Forest Landscapes
Marks’ Mills Battleground State Park features interpretive exhibits and picnic areas, combining historical context with an opportunity to take a break. Big Timber WMA offers a very different focus, with a variety of habitats: pine forests, mixed pine and hardwood forests, and hardwood forests, in both upland and lowland areas. The WMA also offers opportunities to hunt deer, turkey, and small game. Hunting seasons and permit rules may change; check the current regulations if you’re planning a hunt.
Festivals and Local Competitions
Held annually at the Dallas County Fairgrounds in Fordyce, the Dallas County Fair lasts a full week. The program includes livestock shows, rides, and competitions; dates and program details may change from year to year. The Sticky Fingers BBQ Cook-Off is a different kind of event: a food competition in Dallas County where pitmasters compete. If you’re planning to include either event in your trip, check the date and program in advance.
Discover more destinations: Fordyce, Craighead, Clark County, Lawrence County, Phillips County, Cross County, Carroll County, Hot Spring County.
For the main travel overview: Arkansas.
