I’m off to mine diamonds!
When I heard that there was a real diamond mine where you could look for diamonds and keep all the diamonds you find, that was the mental image I had. I was singing all the way there!
I was excited to finally get to Crater Of Diamonds State Park near Murfreesboro, Arkansas.
I booked three nights there. Today I would get set up and explore Murfreesboro a bit. Tomorrow: DIAMONDS!
My site was lovely. It was level and paved and was under some beautiful trees. The picnic table was in good shape and there was a fire ring.
I was really impressed that it was a full hook up site – water, electric AND sewer. I’ve never found a campground that didn’t at least have a dump station, but having it right at the site is a real luxury.
I also met my first T@bbers in real life – Julie and Mike. They were very obliging in showing my how they had their rig set up. The side tent is nice for the extra space, although I probably won’t be getting one myself.
With set up and introductions complete, I headed into town.
I noticed this building, occupying the square in the center of town. I figured that is was probably the courthouse.
It turns out that Murfreesboro is the county seat for Pike County. Pike County was formed in 1833 and was actually named for Zebulon Pike, of Pikes Peak fame. It would be interesting to know why they chose to name the county after him. In fact, it would be interesting to know why ten states chose to name counties after him. Georgia even went so far as to name the county seat Zebulon!
Pike was born in New Jersey in 1779, and was quite the explorer. Lewis and Clark weren’t the only explorers that Thomas Jefferson sent out. He went on two expeditions. in 1805-1806, he was sent to find the headwaters of the Mississippi. In 1806-1807, he set out to explore the Southwest to the edge of the northern Spanish-colonial settlements of New Mexico and Texas. In 1810, he wrote a book about his expeditions was so popular that it was translated into French, Dutch and German. He fought as a Brigadier General during his last battle in the War of 1812. That battle was in Fort York, Upper Canada, which is now known as Toronto, Ontario.
His body was brought back across Lake Ontario and he was buried in the military cemetery in Sackets Harbor, New York.
I still wonder how they happened to name the county after him about 20 years after his death.
These days, Murfreesboro’s claim to fame is the diamond mine. They have a little display in a small area across the street from the courthouse. They also had a store that would be happy to sell you chunks of glass like those on display. They sell them by the pound. I’ve seen shops like that in many places during my travels. Why someone would want to buy a heavy chunk of glass and haul it around with them is another thing I don’t understand, but I guess that’s something I don’t need to understand.
Different strokes for different folks.
That little display was dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Carolyn Lewis. I wonder what she did to deserve this memorial? Someone must know, but there were no residents around to ask.
I continued looking around and came across the county’s war memorial.
There was also a pay phone that looked like it might have been in working condition.
I came across a plaque that commemorates Arkansas’ participation in the Civil War.
There was a mill stone that came from the Royston Factory Mill.
I mean, if you can’t take the word of the Masons, who can you trust?
This gave me the giggles.
I couldn’t get the image of Dr. Doolittle’s Pushmepullyou out of my head.
Back to camp. Tomorrow, I go mining for diamonds!