From the banks of the Arkansas River, Van Buren, Arkansas stands as a sentinel to its past. Like an old railroad station guarding the tracks and signaling travelers of what lies ahead, this city has welcomed many with open arms throughout time. It is like a home away from home for those who have come in search of something new or found themselves on their way through.
The story of Van Buren starts back during the early 1800s when it was inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Osage Nation. Later, settlers came along and set up trading posts alongside the riverbanks; one being established near modern-day Fort Smith, which is located nearby.
The same site would later become known as Belle Pointe and became part of Van Buren’s history in 1818 when that area was annexed into Crawford County. From there, businesses began to flourish as a result of steamboats arriving at ports bringing goods from other states and foreign countries.
Van Buren today is filled with many historical sites, monuments, and buildings from days gone by waiting to be explored. Take a stroll down Main Street where you can find various restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues all housed within beautiful Victorian architecture – each building telling its own unique story about the people who passed through them over time.