Drennen-Scott Historic Site

05/08/2024

03/11/2023

Train rides schedule in March
Springdale to Van Buren at 8AM or Van Buren to Winslow at 11AM on Wednesday, 03/15/23 and 03/22/23
Springdale to Winslow at 11AM on Saturday, 03/18/23 and 03/25/23
For more information and reservation, please call us: 479-725-4017 or visit our website: amtrainrides.com

12/24/2022

12/14/2022

2022 Victorian Christmas Open House

12/14/2022

05/26/2022

Day 26 Historic Preservation Month Posts
During the month of May we will be posting daily with facts, historical information and insight about our two historic properties, the Drennen-Scott House and the Willhaf House, both owned, restored and operated by the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith through grants from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council.
John Drennen ran the main ferry across the Arkansas River between Van Buren and Fort Smith. The Butterfield Stage and the U.S. Mail both crossed on his boat, as well as many travelers, local citizens and farmers crops. Drennen charged to use his ferry, and most paid for the convenience of crossing between the towns. Those who couldn’t pay, or didn’t choose to, went on down the river to Strang’s landing, in the vicinity of modern day Lock and Dam 13. This ferry was hand operated and there was no charge to use it. Going from the north side of the river to the southside, the ferry ride would terminate at the end of Free Ferry Road. This is a street in Fort Smith still today. During the Civil War, Drennen’s daughter and son in law leased the ferry operation in Van Buren to a man named England. In January of 1863, Mr. England notified Charles . G. and Caroline Scott their ferry had become a casualty of the war and was burned and sunk in the river by Federal troops under General Blunt during the Van Buren Raid. Mr. England advised Mr. Scott to not purchase another ferry any time soon because “the Yankees would likely burn it too.” A number of different ferry boats were used at the crossing, this is a turn of the century era boat. Some were named for Caroline, Drennen’s daughter and others for his great granddaughter. The family sold the ferry crossing in 1885 to facilitate the railroad bridge which still stands on the location today.