Arkansas State Memorial, Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, MS

**Vicksburg National Military Park** - National Register of Historic Places Ref # 66000100, date listed 1966-10-15

 

N and E of Vicksburg

 

Vicksburg, MS (Warren County)

 

Vicksburg National Military Park, established in 1899, includes 1,860 acres. The park, bordering the city of Vicksburg and its suburbs on the northern and eastern sides, includes the Confederate defense line and Union siege line. Three detached areas, Navy Circle, Louisiana Circle, and South Fort, approximately one acre each, are also part of the park. These areas are located on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River just north of the bridge.

 

Arkansas State Memorial (1954)

Twin granite pylons represent North and South. Between the pylons is a sword, mounted like a cross, which symbolizes the sword of war and the cross of faith in a restored Union. Depicted in Bas-relief on the left are Arkansas soldiers repelling a Union assault; on the right, the Confederate ram Arkansas. Erected by McNeel Company, Marietta, Georgia. (1)

 

The Arkansas State Memorial is located approximately .1 mile south of Old Graveyard Road on Confederate Avenue. The memorial was erected in 1954 by McNeel Company of Marietta, GA and dedicated on August 2, 1954. The cost of $50,000 was appropriated by the State of Arkansas. Fabricated of Mount Airy North Carolina Marble it bears the inscription: "To the Arkansas Confederate Soldiers and Sailors, a part of a nation divided by the sword and reunited at the altar of faith." (2)

 

References (1) NRHP Nomination Form npgallery.nps.gov/pdfhost/docs/NRHP/Text/66000100.pdf

 

(2) NPS Vicksburg www.nps.gov/vick/learn/historyculture/arkansas-memorial.htm

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