Conway Cemetery State Park
Overview
Conway Cemetery State Park is a quiet, contemplative historic site near Bradley in Lafayette County, Arkansas. The park preserves the family cemetery of James Sevier Conway, who served as the first governor of the State of Arkansas from 1836 to 1840. This small but historically significant park covers approximately 11.5 acres of the former Conway family cotton plantation known as “Walnut Hill.”
The cemetery itself encompasses about half an acre and contains the graves of Governor Conway, his wife Mary Jane Bradley Conway, and more than forty other members of the powerful Conway-Johnson political dynasty that dominated Arkansas politics from the territorial period through the Civil War era.
Historical Significance
James Sevier Conway (1796-1855) played a pivotal role in Arkansas’s transition from territory to statehood. A surveyor by profession, Conway helped establish many of the original boundary lines in Arkansas Territory before being elected the state’s first governor in 1836. His brothers — Elias Nelson Conway and Henry Wharton Conway — also served in prominent political roles, with Elias becoming the fifth governor of Arkansas.
The Walnut Hill plantation was one of the largest cotton-producing operations in southwestern Arkansas during the antebellum period. The cemetery that remains today is one of the few visible reminders of this era, offering a tangible connection to the earliest days of Arkansas statehood and the plantation economy that shaped the region.
The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and was officially designated an Arkansas state park in 1986.
Visiting the Park
Conway Cemetery State Park is an unstaffed, self-guided site with no visitor center, restrooms, or developed amenities. The cemetery is accessible via a short walk from the parking area, and visitors can explore the weathered headstones and read the inscriptions that tell the story of one of Arkansas’s most influential families. Informational signage provides historical context about Governor Conway and the plantation era.
The park’s quiet, rural setting — surrounded by farmland and pine forests — makes it a reflective destination for those interested in early Arkansas history. Photography enthusiasts will find the moss-covered headstones and ancient trees particularly evocative.
Location and Access
Conway Cemetery State Park is located near the community of Walnut Hill, accessible via Arkansas Highway 160 west of the town of Bradley in Lafayette County. The park is in the southwestern corner of Arkansas, approximately 30 miles south of Hope and 45 miles north of the Louisiana border. The nearest larger cities are Texarkana (about 60 miles west) and El Dorado (about 70 miles east).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an admission fee?
No, admission to Conway Cemetery State Park is free.
Are there restrooms at the park?
No, the park has no restroom facilities or developed amenities. Visitors should plan accordingly.
Can I camp at Conway Cemetery State Park?
No, camping is not permitted. For camping in the region, consider nearby Millwood State Park on Millwood Lake, which offers full campground facilities.
Wildlife & Nature
Conway Cemetery SP — preserves one of the oldest cemeteries in Arkansas — dating to the early 1800s. The cemetery’s mature hardwood trees, understory, and meadow support songbirds and white-tailed deer.
Nearby Attractions
Lafayette County — surrounding.
Park Location
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