Arkansas Commemorative Stones in the Washington Monument
Hidden along the scenic Highway 7 in the community of Marble Falls (formerly called Dogpatch) in Boone County, Arkansas is a small abandoned limestone quarry of monumental proportions (pun intended). Within the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. are three stone blocks that represent Arkansas. These are among 190 other commemorative blocks that were set into the monument during and after its construction. Each state, as well as several organizations and persons, are represented in these blocks. For Arkansas, the State itself is represented, as well as the City of Little Rock, and the Grand Lodge of the Masons. The Masons of Newton and surrounding counties intended to be represented as well, however, their stone's whereabouts are unknown. The Arkansas commemorative stone. Photo from NPS . The first of the three stones was quarried in Marble Falls in either 1834 or 1836 (two sources have competing years). The year 1836 would have been particularly s...