Hello. I would like to invite you to stop by the Lonoke County Museum which is east of the one and only stoplight in downtown Lonoke.
There is a diorama of the Battle of Brownsville at the museum which happened in August of 1863 when CSA Missouri fought Union Missouri. Many artifacts are still being found all over the surrounding area, so it was an active area for the times.
I have made an attempt to gather some photos for the museum of the men who served in the area whether Union or Confederate. If you happen to have such, please consider sharing.
Brownsville had a population of something like 1400 when the battle took place, but was nothing more than a sleepy village when the war ended.
When the trains came through after the Civil War, what was left of Brownsville just sort of faded away as the train passed through the new town of Lonoke. There is still a community there at Brownsville including the cemetery and at least two Baptist churches.
There has even been talk of having some sort of marking, display, etc placed there in Brownsville to remember its better days. Among other items of interest, the Cherokee Indians did pass through Brownsville on the old Military Road when they were removed from Georgia and taken to Oklahoma.
So remember the welcome mat is always out and the coffee pot is usually on at the Lonoke County Museum in downtown Lonoke. Please call 501-676-6750 if you want to make sure that someone will be there to welcome you. Hours are very flexible and visitors are always welcome.
Linda T. Acrey
charter member of the Lonoke County Museum
Lonoke, Arkansas