Jonesboro

Two things from Pat B. Clark's 1937 county history. First, paperwork: Clark says the Miller County records filed at Jonesboro show the quarrel between United States representatives and the claims of the Republic of Texas over jurisdiction, and many were signed by prominent early settlers of Red River County. Second, a route: Clark traces Crockett's trail from the old cottonwood at the landing about three miles south to the Pine Creek crossing, then southeast along the river some twenty miles to Mound City, citing Henry Stout and Isabella Clark Gordon, who said they saw and talked with him.

What the plaque says

Jonesboro (About a half mile NW was 19th century town) One of first ports of entry into Texas for Anglo-Americans. Opened early as 1814; heavily used by 1817. Named for 1819-21 ferry owner Henry Jones (1789-1861). Claimed by both Mexico and the United States, town was 1828-37 county seat of Miller County, Ark. Community had 2,350 people by 1834. At this crossing Sam Houston (1832) and David Crockett (1835) entered Texas. A well-known road led southeastward to other colonies by way of Nacogdoches. In 1836, Clarksville became Red River District's capital. By 1840 Jonesboro had lots its trade and many settlers to other areas. (1973)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Wheelock Academy Historic Site — 9.8 mi
  The Choctaw Nation's academy for girls, rebuilt in 1884 near Millerton and a boarding school until 1955, with its museum in the old teachers' dormitory.
• Fort Towson Historic Site — 10 mi
  The 1824 Red River post where arriving Choctaw and Chickasaw families were dispersed after removal, beside the site of Doaksville, the Choctaw capital where Stand Watie surrendered in 1865.
• Lennox Woods Preserve — 12 mi
  A Nature Conservancy preserve of mature East Texas forest north of Clarksville, kept by the Lennox family for four generations, with a 1.5-mile loop under post oaks more than 300 years old.
• Eiffel Tower — 30 mi
  A 65-foot Eiffel Tower with a red cowboy hat, built by the local welders' union in 1993 beside Paris's Love Civic Center.

More markers nearby

• Jesse B. Bowman — steps away
• Jane Chandler Gill — steps away
• Near Here at the Old Jonesboro Crossing Sam Houston — steps away
• Arnold E. A. Roitsch Archeological Site — 1.9 mi