African American &
Native American
Heritage
Lincoln High School Plaque
From 1870 - 1970, it was the Alma Mater for a century of African American Students. First African American School in Camden, it was established by the Freedmen’s Bureau. The plaque relates its storied history until it phased out in the desegregation process in 1970. A museum is located at the site. It is located at the intersection of California Ave. SW and Lincoln Dr. SW.
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Beulah Ivory (1890-1969) Plaque
Commemorates 50 years of service and inspiration of revered educator and civic leader, Beulah Ivory. The marker is located at Camden Housing Authority residential complex named in her honor. It is the African American Historical Commission Plaque. It is located in front of the parking spaces on the right after the entrance into the Ivory Heights complex when entering from Cross St. west of Adams Avenue.
John Monroe Bowie Plaque
Commemorates one-time slave who overcame lack of education and racial discrimination to become an influential businessman, investor and philanthropist in early 20th Century Camden. The plaque is located between Day Street and Lincoln Drive in front of Bowie Homes, named in his honor. It is the African American Historical Commission Plaque located on Day Street between Adams Avenue and Frazier Street near the Camden Police Dept. sub-station.
Porter Bennett Baseball Field Plaque
Honoring Porter Bennett (1901-1991), for his longtime volunteer work and his loving devotion to teach the African American youth the “Art of Baseball.” It is the African American Historical Commission Plaque located inside Ivra Clark Park.
Dr. Ivra Allen Clark Plaque
The adjoining park is named in honor of a distinguished professional and civic leader and one-time teacher in county schools. He received a Medical Degree in 1914, moved to Camden in 1915 and became the 2nd African American doctor in Camden. He also became President of the local chapter of the National Negro Business League. The African American Historical Commission Marker is located on Viser Street near the intersection of Progress Street and Viser Avenue.
Ida B. Moore
Community Center Plaque
This plaque stands in Ivra Clark Park to honor Ida B. Moore (1926-2001), charter member of the park's commission. Her longtime care for the preservation and beautification of the park and promotion of summer activities for African American youth earned her the fond title of “Mother of Ivra Clark Park.” The African American Historical Commission Marker is located inside Ivra Clark Park.
Mildred McKinney House Plaque
Located at Carnes Park, this plaque honors the career and contributions of a revered educator, church and civic leader, and published poet. (African American Historical Commission Plaque)
Gertrude Weaver Memorial Plaque and Path (1898-2015)
Oldest living person in the world on April 1, 2015. This walking path is dedicated to Mrs. Gertrude Weaver who lived 116 years. (African American Historical Commission Marker) It is located in the eastern portion of the drive through Carnes Park. The park entrance is marked by an archway along the east side of State Highway 7 just south of the intersection with US 79 and 278 North.
Lafayette School Plaque
Site of Lafayette School founded in 1928 for African American students. The original a four classroom school for lower grades eventually expanded to all twelve grades, and a new school building was built in 1954-1955. Under desegregation orders to merge into Fairview by 1970, the school closed its doors at the end of the 1968-1969 school term. The motto, Soar Like an Eagle, is still revered by alumni. The plaque on the old school grounds gives additional history and a portion of the old physical building remains. The site is listed on the Arkansas Register of Historical Places. (To locate the site exit State Highway 376 East from State Highway 7 just south of Fairview Rd. and proceed past several street signs to Fletcher Dr. also known as county road 365. Turn left onto Fletcher and proceed east, past the railroad tracks. The school and plaque are on the left about 50 feet off Fletcher)
Choctaw Trail of Tears Marker
Located overlooking the Ouachita River near where a substantial band of Choctaws crossed the river and camped in 1830- 1831 as part of the forcible Indian Removal policy remembered as the Trail of Tears. The marker provides context for that episode. (On the south side of E. Washington down the hill from the Union Pacific railroad tracks overlooking the river)
Chaffee Le Brun
The Chaffee Le Brun Plaque commemorates the last member of the Choctaw Band/Tribe that lived in the Camden area. The plaque lies near his home and burial place. (Located on the NW corner of Oakland St. and Monticello Ave. Oakland can be accessed from Fairview Rd. two blocks east of its intersection with Cash Rd.)
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First Kansas Colored Infantry Plaque
It is located just north of Bragg Lake facing Arkansas State Highway 24 and commemorates the first African American regiment recruited in the Civil War and the first to see combat. Their service brought them into the battle of Poison Springs fought near here in April 1864 where, insignificant fighting, they suffered high casualties and their wounded were brutally slain afterward as they lay on the battlefield.