NEWTON COUNTY,ARKANSAS
Was created on 14 December 1842 from part of Carroll County, Arkansas.
Jasper is the ounty seat.
When the county was first formed, John Bellah's house was designated
as the temporary county seat.
The location then was explained as being on Hudson's Fork of the
Buffalo River.

The county was named for THOMAS W NEWTON ,a prominent Arkansas
politician.
Thomas W Newton was born ca 1803 and died in 1853 at Little Rock,
Arkansas. Newton migrated to Arkansas Territory in 1820 and began his mail
carrier career riding the "one-horse mail" route out of Arkansas Post,
along the North side of the Arkansas River to Cadron.

Newton formed a friendship with Robert Crittenden, one of the Arkansas Territory's most influential men.
Thomas W Newton studied law under Crittenden and even lived in
Crittenden's home.
Over Newton's life he was clerk of the legislature, a member of the
house of representatives and later a state senator.
He was also postmaster of Little Rock and at one time was private
secretary to Governor Yell.
Newton was also a U S Marshall, and vice president of the Temperance
Leaque.
Newton was also a member for one month of the U. S. Congress,filling
out Governor Yell's congressional term.
With so much public service, it was no wonder that a county should
not be named for Thomas W Newton.

Newton County covers 822 square miles.
This is an area that includes 1.3 million acres.

The summit of Mt.Judea in the Boston Range of the Ozarks is 2169 feet
above sea level.
The Buffalo River flows from West to East 1414 Feet below this point,
making this the deepest canyon in the Ozarks. It is also the largest.
This canyon is also called "The Grand Canyon Of The Ozarks".
Lost in this canyon are the finest canoe waters in wilderness America.
An Act of Congress in 1972 preserved the Buffalo River for all time.
Missouri is visible 40 miles due North.

The county is abundant in natural areas,including the Buffalo
National River,with Lost Valley recreation area, the Buffalo River
Wildlife Management Area and the Ozark National Forest with two
national recreation areas; Fairview and Alum Cove.

There are some historic sites worth a stop in Newton County,
including Old Boxley Water Mill, just north of Boxley and the now
destroyed Newton County Academy in Parthenon.
The famous Diamond Cave is also located in Newton County.
The site of "Dogpatch, USA" was located near Western Grove. Many
of the buildings still stand although it is closed to tourists.

There are also opportunities to gaze at animals from the newly restored
elk herd along the Buffalo River, from Boxley into Searcy County.
Newton County is indeed the Elk Capital of Arkansas.
An Elk Festival is held each summer in Newton County.

Regarding the 1840 and 1850 census records for this area:
People found in White Township of Carroll County on the 1840 census
would be found on the 1850 Newton County, Arkansas census.
Believe this is also true of Osage Township.

The Newton County Historical Society is located in the Bradley
House Museum. It is located on the corner of Clark and Daniels Streets in Jasper,Arkansas, just 3 blocks off Scenic Highway 7.
Clark Street is one block south of the Jasper Square.
Their hours flucuate. If you are planning to visit,send them an E-mail telling them when you plan to visit.

NEWTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Newton County Historical Society

They have Newton County books listed on their site and an order
blank to order these books.
Take a look and enjoy the pictures.
Also read some interesting stories.

The Newton County Historical Society is restoring the 1830s
Chaney Cabin, located on the grounds of the Bradley House Museum.