Parker-Hickman Homestead

One of the many interesting aspects of the Buffalo River area, in my opinion, is the glimpses it gives you into the lives of early settlers of the area.

Because so much of the area is unspoiled, there are a host of old homestead sites in the area that remain in their original states...and give a glimpse into how early settlers of the area lived.

One of the best-preserved areas is the Parker-Hickman Homestead. 

The Homestead is very accessible -- just off the road on the road past the Erbie Campground on the way to the river (just before you pass the river Ford into the Northern Erbie area) or the Buffalo River Trail from Kyles Landing to Erbie passes right through the Homestead. 

The Homestead was built between 1847 and 1849 by the Parker Family. By 1912, the Hickman Family had moved in. The homestead remained in the Hickman Family until 1978 -- and the entire area was purchased by the National Parks Service in 1982.

In 1987, the Homestead was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Homestead now remains very much as it was maintained over the years. The house has been added onto (the addition on the left side of the house as you look at it was added on in the early 1900s and served as a farm supply store during the 1920s -- the room was lined with old newspapers (Pictured) that I hope to some day have a chance and just read through some of the old articles. There are also many other buildings including a couple of barns (one pictured) that were built over the years -- mostly by the Hickman family.

It's amazing to be able to walk through the old farm house and see it as it likely has been for 150 years, see the stream that runs through the property (and an old rock that seems just perfect for laying clothes washed out in the stream to dry).

I really like this little area, and it certainly gives you a feel for what it would have been like to have been an early settler to the area. 

Just up the hill a bit is the Cherry Grove Cemetery.  We'll explore the little loop trail up to the Cemetary in later post.