About the James Ranch

 

You can truly step back in time on the James Ranch. On the rocky hilltop east of the campground you can find fossilized bones that are the remains of animals that roamed the quiet, tranquil hillsides and river bottoms thousands of years ago.

Along the creek that flows through the ranch, Indian arrowheads and other artifacts are commonly found where the Quapaw Indians once lived. It’s easy to go back to another time in your mind. See the Indian villages along the creek where they went about their daily lives hunting and fishing for their survival, or where their children swam in the Elevenpoint River just as children do today. Imagine the women washing clothes in the same creek that passes though the Ranch today.

During the early 1800’s, along the north boundary of the Ranch, a historical but very sad event happened. Thousands of weary Indians, driven from their homes, traveled along the Benge Route of the Trail of Tears. Today you can still see the sunken trail that they traveled where many lost their lives. This area seems almost sacred as you get a spiritual, peaceful feeling. You can almost hear the faint footsteps of horses as they trudge down the muddy trail. Can you imagine the dread the tired and weary women and children must have had thinking of crossing the cold Elevenpoint River just ahead?

It is speculated that many well-known people of the times traveled this trail, one of the few known trails of the time. Maybe Daniel Boone, Stephen F. Austin, or Sam Houston camped overnight here.

During the time of the depression, this land changed hands many times just for the price of property taxes. The fertile grounds would give up the owner’s hopes for a profit because of low commodity prices or to the fury of the floodwaters of the river.

Today it is and has been the sight of many family reunions, weddings and other gatherings. Well-known entertainers such as Rickey Van Shelton, Don Williams, and Percy Sledge have performed at the James Ranch. Its natural, tranquil beauty is seductive and is the perfect setting for a restful and relaxing time with your family or loved ones. The abundant wildlife lives in harmony with the people at the Ranch today. Wildlife food plots are planted to help sustain the needs of the wildlife because of the changing environment. It is not uncommon to see a herd of deer, or a flock of turkey, or occasionally even glimpse one of our national symbols, the bald eagle.

The James Ranch is within easy access of historic Pocahontas, Arkansas. It is located just a few miles from the Randolph County Courthouse, on county-maintained roads. It may be reached from either Highway 62 or 90 or directly from town by Pyburn Extended.