A closer look at Greenwood

After two weeks with the home field advantage, the El Dorado Wildcats and their supporters travel more than 200 miles for Friday’s game in northwest Arkansas. This week, as we continue our closer look at the hometowns of the opposing football teams, we learn about Greenwood.

Greenwood, Sebastian County Greenwood is located in Sebastian County and is home to the Greenwood Bulldogs. According to GreenwoodArkansas.com, the city grew from 2,032 residents to 8,952 from 1970 to 2010. The county population grew from 79,237 to 125,744 in the same time.

According to Wikipedia, “Greenwood was founded in 1851 when its location was selected for the first county seat of Sebastian County.” The town was named after Judge Alfred Burton Greenwood and the first courthouse was a log structure that was later replaced in 1865 by a frame courthouse built in the center of the public square. Later, the courthouse was rebuilt at its current location.

Points of interest in Greenwood, found at Arkansas.com, include:

Old Jail Museum — Occupied in April 1891, the Sebastian County Quorum Court had the two-story solid rock building constructed as a “holding jail” for drunks and rabble-rousers. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday-Saturday from May through Oct. 1. Special tours may be arranged through the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce.

Vineyard Cabin — The circa 1848 cabin was built by a bachelor school teacher and used as a residence and school until his marriage in 1850, when another room was added with a breezeway. Located near the Old Jail Museum.

Greenwood Veteran’s Memorial — The memorial has granite stones commemorating veterans who have served or are now serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Antique-style decorative lamps light the square. The names of all veterans with a connection to Greenwood will be added to plaques already attached.

Bell Park — Located just off Greenwood’s North Main Street, the park has walking trails, plus a new rock promenade, disc golf and playgrounds. There are also covered picnic areas and the 6,000-square-foot Ed Wilkinson Community Pavilion featuring 10 full-glass garage doors that can be raised for an open-air atmosphere. An amphitheater features a natural stone stage. Devil’s Backbone Civil War Battlefield — Union Major Gen. James G. Blunt ordered Col. William Cloud to continue in pursuit of the Confederate forces that had withdrawn from Fort Smith and were chased to Old Jenny Lind. The Rebels turned on Cloud and skirmished with him at the base of Devil’s Backbone. Rebel forces ambushed approaching Union troops and momentarily halted their advance. Regrouping, the Union forces, with the help of artillery, advanced again and forced the Confederates to retire in disorder to Waldron. The area is privately owned and not accessible to the public. Its modern appearance is much as it likely was at the time of fighting.

Check it out:

With more than four hours travel time, a hotel might be needed. Drop by the Arkansas

Welcome Center at El Dorado for a copy of our Western Arkansas’ Mountain Frontier visitor’s guide featuring lodging and restaurants from the area.

Fort Smith is 12 miles from Greenwood. If you decide to make a weekend out of the trip, come see the brochures we have for that area. Ask for our travel guide, state park guide or adventure guide to plan your football weekends!