Skip to Main Content

Blackton, Arkansas: Monument in a Swamp

Official limestone monument marks the "initial point" for surveys of 12 of the 13 states that were carved out of the Louisiana Purchase. Special road and boardwalk leads into the swamp, just to see the monument.

Louisiana Purchase State Park

Address:
Hwy 362, Blackton, AR
Directions:
Louisiana Purchase State Park. From Blackton, drive south two miles on US Hwy 49. Turn east at the sign onto Hwy 362 -- a dead-end road. Drive to the parking lot at the end, then follow the boardwalk to the monument.
Hours:
Daily dawn-dusk. Gated after hours. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Monument in a Swamp

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Historical landmark marker.

Monument in a Swamp

The road is rough. Be careful. We just stopped by the entrance historical marker. Beautiful in the fall. I wouldn't go out of my way, but since it was just a mile off our route, it was worth a little detour.

[Nicole Elkins, 11/25/2023]

Monument.

Monument in a Swamp

Beautiful boardwalk. Well worth the drive off I-40.

[J. Webb, 04/24/2021]

Swamp walk.

Monument in a Swamp

It was a really neat walk on a boardwalk to see the Louisiana Purchase Monument.

[Heather, 07/09/2019]

We continue to be amazed by the popularity of this absurd destination!

Louisiana Purchase marker.

Louisiana Purchase State Park

There is a limestone monument out in a swamp to mark the east/west boundary of the Louisiana Purchase land deal. The boardwalk out to the marker takes you through the swamp. Birds, mossy trees, and swamp life abound. It is almost eerie, walking out to explore this headwater swamp.

[Steve Gaswint, 08/05/2017]

Why is such an important waypoint in a swamp? Beats us. But it marks the "initial point" for surveys of 12 of the 13 states that were carved out of the Louisiana Purchase. Depending on the height of the water, the monument's already murky inscription may be partly submerged.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Boyhood Home of Levon HelmBoyhood Home of Levon Helm, Marvell, AR - 10 mi.
Coat of Many FeathersCoat of Many Feathers, Stuttgart, AR - 30 mi.
Hollywood Casino Movie MemorabiliaHollywood Casino Movie Memorabilia, Robinsonville, MS - 38 mi.
In the region:
Where Elvis Spent His Honeymoon, Horn Lake, MS - 59 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Map and Plan Your Own Roadside Adventure ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Arkansas Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings