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Capitalizing on the tourism that could come from the history that surrounds a town like Fulton is becoming a reality. Fulton is one of, if not, the oldest town in Arkansas.
On the books, it has been established since 1840, according to Fulton City Mayor and Yerger Middle School teacher Henry Hale, first as Rocky Point, then later called Fulton.
Not that there isn't much to be accomplished, but $10,000 can do a lot, according to Hale.
An idea/project the City of Fulton has been working toward for years just got a kick-start with a check donation of $10,000 presented to the City of Fulton by AEP-Southwestern Electric Power Co. earlier this week.
Hale said for years the city has hoped to purchase the I.E. Odom Dry Goods store building in Fulton and turn it into a museum for the city.
“We have for the last five years wanted to purchase the Odom building and turn it into a national museum. We have sent out letters asking for donations,” Hale said.
Hale said the City and residents of the city have held onto many historical documents and pictures, but there has been no place to display them.
The historical significance of the area goes on and on, according to long time Hope family business owner and interested citizen, Keenan Williams.
Just a few of the hugely significant things about Fulton include it being a steam boat stop on the Red River. It was where the famous Southwest Trail hit the Red River.
Hale said he recently talked with Williams about the historical value the city holds.
“It was essentially the border between the United States and Mexico; before that it was the the border between the United States and Spain. Arkansas extended beyond Miller County, but it was the border town,” Williams said. Williams said the steamboat stop is a very significant and interesting part of the history at Fulton
“Most of the big supplies to the area came then by boat instead of over land,” Williams said.
He said it was probably the second most important crossing of the Red River.
Williams said another interesting note was the area was protected by two military forts in 1864 to guard the crossing from a federal invasion that would be coming from Little Rock to the Red River during the Civil War.
“The war ended before they were actually used, but they were prepared by Arkansas troops,” Williams said.
Williams believes that many tourists come through this area of Southwest Arkansas to visit the Clinton Birthplace Home and Historic Washington, along with 15 to 20 other historical sites in the county, but this is most likely a stopping point, and not the traveler's destination.
Williams believes Fulton's history should be capitalized on, as well.
“We have not yet understood the potential of taking the Birthplace, the Klipsch Museum, Historic Washington and then Fulton's history. If it is all developed it could become a destination,” Williams said.
By destination, he means tourists would spend more than 24 hours here.
Hale said once they get the Odom building established on the National Register as one of the oldest buildings in Arkansas, they are then eligible for grants to do more.
The Odom building was also a Post Office and a movie theater at one time, according to Hale.
Hale said the building's owner had agreed to make a sale on the property.
“I believe historical tourism is a green industry that can benefit the economy of the county,” Williams said.
Hale was appreciative to SWEPCO for realizing the importance as well.
“We appreciate them standing by us and being part of our community, and being a good ambassador. These projects have to have a starting point,” Hale said.
Capitalizing on the tourism that could come from the history that surrounds a town like Fulton is becoming a reality. Fulton is one of, if not, the oldest town in Arkansas.
On the books, it has been established since 1840, according to Fulton City Mayor and Yerger Middle School teacher Henry Hale, first as Rocky Point, then later called Fulton.
Not that there isn't much to be accomplished, but $10,000 can do a lot, according to Hale.
An idea/project the City of Fulton has been working toward for years just got a kick-start with a check donation of $10,000 presented to the City of Fulton by AEP-Southwestern Electric Power Co. earlier this week.
Hale said for years the city has hoped to purchase the I.E. Odom Dry Goods store building in Fulton and turn it into a museum for the city.
“We have for the last five years wanted to purchase the Odom building and turn it into a national museum. We have sent out letters asking for donations,” Hale said.
Hale said the City and residents of the city have held onto many historical documents and pictures, but there has been no place to display them.
The historical significance of the area goes on and on, according to long time Hope family business owner and interested citizen, Keenan Williams.
Just a few of the hugely significant things about Fulton include it being a steam boat stop on the Red River. It was where the famous Southwest Trail hit the Red River.
Hale said he recently talked with Williams about the historical value the city holds.
“It was essentially the border between the United States and Mexico; before that it was the the border between the United States and Spain. Arkansas extended beyond Miller County, but it was the border town,” Williams said. Williams said the steamboat stop is a very significant and interesting part of the history at Fulton
“Most of the big supplies to the area came then by boat instead of over land,” Williams said.
He said it was probably the second most important crossing of the Red River.
Williams said another interesting note was the area was protected by two military forts in 1864 to guard the crossing from a federal invasion that would be coming from Little Rock to the Red River during the Civil War.
“The war ended before they were actually used, but they were prepared by Arkansas troops,” Williams said.
Williams believes that many tourists come through this area of Southwest Arkansas to visit the Clinton Birthplace Home and Historic Washington, along with 15 to 20 other historical sites in the county, but this is most likely a stopping point, and not the traveler's destination.
Williams believes Fulton's history should be capitalized on, as well.
“We have not yet understood the potential of taking the Birthplace, the Klipsch Museum, Historic Washington and then Fulton's history. If it is all developed it could become a destination,” Williams said.
By destination, he means tourists would spend more than 24 hours here.
Hale said once they get the Odom building established on the National Register as one of the oldest buildings in Arkansas, they are then eligible for grants to do more.
The Odom building was also a Post Office and a movie theater at one time, according to Hale.
Hale said the building's owner had agreed to make a sale on the property.
“I believe historical tourism is a green industry that can benefit the economy of the county,” Williams said.
Hale was appreciative to SWEPCO for realizing the importance as well.
“We appreciate them standing by us and being part of our community, and being a good ambassador. These projects have to have a starting point,” Hale said.
