A closer look at Sheridan

The El Dorado Wildcats are on the road again this week, headed to Sheridan for Friday night football! We take a closer look at the hometown of the Yellowjackets. The information below is taken from Arkansas.com.

The community of Sheridan is somewhat a rarity in that it is a Southern town named for a Union general, according to Arkansas.com. Named for Union General Phillip Sheridan, the city’s history begins with the creation of Grant County, which was formed in 1869 from parts of Jefferson, Hot Spring and Saline counties. It was named for the newly elected president and former Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant to placate the Reconstruction government in Arkansas at the time. White settlers began inhabiting the region around 1841 although the area had been popular with hunters and trappers long before that.

According to Ernie Deane’s Arkansas Place Names, after the county was formed, local businessman A.N. Harris donated a plot of land for the location of the new town. The offer was accepted and the community was named after Sheridan, one of Grant’s more efficient generals during the Civil War.

Points of interest in Sheridan found at Arkansas.com include:

Jenkins Ferry Battleground State Park is located in Sheridan. According to Arkansas.com, “General Steele’s Federal troops were desperately trying to cross the river in flooded, foggy conditions when the Confederates began their attack. The battlefield, now largely in timber production, is still prone to heavy spring flooding, as it was when the two armies met there on April 30, 1864. It was the last major Arkansas battle in the Camden Expedition of the Red River Campaign.” There is a picnic area.

An extensive collection of Civil War artifacts can be found at the Grant County Museum & Heritage Square including a restored Depression-era caf and a collection of local history artifacts. Heritage Square features 10 restored historic buildings with a handicapped accessible boardwalk that follows a horseshoe design through three wooded acres. More information is available at grantcountymuseumar.com. The museum is located at 521 Shackleford Road.

Timber Country Mercantile is a 4800-square-foot mall located 910 West Center.