Officials gathered at Petit Jean State Park today for a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for the Dr. T.W. Hardison Visitor Center in Morrilton. The newly constructed building, which provides space for camper registration, interpretive exhibits, meetings, special events, and staff offices, is named for the man whose vision for Petit Jean State Park brought about its creation as the cornerstone in the system of Arkansas State Parks.
In 1907, Dr. T.W. Hardison was a contract physician for the Fort Smith Lumber Company when he accompanied lumbermen on their inspection of the area surrounding the Natural Bridge in Petit Jean’s Seven Hollows area. As they debated the cost of logging such a remote and rugged area, Dr. Hardison later recounted that it occurred to him that “the trees might as well be left to live out their lifespan unmolested by axe and saw, and the area converted into a park.” By 1919, he and his wife had made their home on Petit Jean Mountain, and his leadershi
KTOY Hardison Center/ AR State Parks Officials gathered at Petit Jean State Park Thursday for a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for the Dr. T.W. Hardison Visitor Center.
The newly constructed building, which provides space for camper registration, interpretive exhibits, meetings, special events, and staff offices, is named for the man whose vision for Petit Jean State Park brought about its creation as the cornerstone in the system of Arkansas State Parks.
In 1907, Dr. T.W. Hardison was a contract physician for the Fort Smith Lumber Company when he accompanied lumbermen on their inspection of the area surrounding the Natural Bridge in Petit Jean’s Seven Hollows area. As they debated the cost of logging such a remote and rugged area, Dr. Hardison later recounted that it occurred to him that “the trees might as well be left to live out their lifespan unmolested by axe and saw, and the area converted
The $5 million bison center in Custer State Park galloping toward ground-breaking
While designs for the newly-funded center are expected to unveiled this week, it s not clear if the park, or designers, are seeking input from tribes to tell the bison s story. Written By: Christopher Vondracek | ×
Riders maneuver the buffalo into the corrals for their vaccinations during the 51st Annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup in 2016 in Custer State Park. Matt Gade / Republic
PIERRE, S.D. South Dakota s legislature chipped in $500,000 during the recently completed legislative session for a bison interpretive center in Custer State Park, and state officials say plans for the structure are moving along briskly.