In Sheridan, memorial sites, historic buildings and recreational activities sit side by side. The Grant County Museum is dedicated to the region’s history; Parks and Recreation facilities range from walking trails to an outdoor swimming pool. When planning your trip, it is worth exploring the different themes: some places tell the stories of local figures and buildings, while others commemorate wartime events and those who died in service.
Historic Buildings and the Grant County Museum
Koon Building #7 is located in Sheridan and has been listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places since April 7, 1999. Its distinctive vertical log construction is also a feature of Koon House #5. Both buildings are directly associated with Henry Hillary “Pappy” Koon, a local farmer and carpenter. Koon House #5 is considered locally significant because of this construction style and its association with Koon; the historic designation for Koon Building #7 also highlights these features. The vertical alignment of the logs is a specific architectural feature that makes it possible to compare the two buildings.
The Grant County Museum aims to preserve the county’s heritage and provide students and adults with information about local history. A World War II gallery features exhibits about the region’s involvement in wartime events. Alongside the individual buildings, the county’s history is also a central focus.
Other areas of the museum include Heritage Square and Shackleford Woods. Heritage Square features historic buildings from Grant County that have been relocated to the museum grounds since 1989. An accessible, horseshoe-shaped boardwalk runs through the three-acre Shackleford Woods. It was completed and opened to visitors in November 2008. The historic buildings and boardwalk offer different ways to experience the region’s history and landscape.
Commemorating Wartime Events and Those Who Died in Service
At Grant County B-17 Memorial Park, a black granite wall commemorates the airmen who lost their lives when an aircraft crashed during World War II. Their names and information about them are inscribed on the wall. The park also honors Grant County veterans who have died in service since World War I, and remembers the Union and Confederate soldiers killed in the Battle of Jenkins Ferry. The memorial thus commemorates both the aircraft’s crew and soldiers from different periods in the county’s history.
Walking Trails and Recreation
Sheridan’s Parks and Recreation complex covers a total of 166 acres. The Sheridan Community Center includes a paved 1⅓-mile walking trail. Its length and paved surface give you practical details to consider if you would like to include a walk in your plans. The Community Center also has an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, a pavilion, a playground for young children and a skate park. RV sites with electrical hookups are also available.
The Sports Complex has a fishing pond with a pier and a fenced dog park. These facilities add activities for anglers and dog owners to those at the Community Center. If you are planning activities around your interests, you can distinguish them easily: the walking trail offers a set route, while the pond and dog park each provide their own recreational opportunities. These facilities can therefore be different highlights of a stay, without prescribing a particular itinerary.
A Look Beyond Sheridan
The wider Grant County area also offers historical and nature-related attractions. Jenkins Ferry Battleground State Park is outside Sheridan, in the wider Grant County area. At this Civil War site, you’ll find interpretive exhibits and picnic areas. Hunting, fishing and boating are popular along the Saline River in Grant County. These highlights complement Sheridan’s local attractions with regional history and activities; the state park is specifically located outside the city.
For the broader travel overview: Grant County.
