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The first thing you notice about the park are the two giant mounds that served as Native American ceremonial mounds and Civil War redoubt. This is where DeSoto first saw the Mississippi River. It's a quiet place across from the Metal Museum. Unless you just want to sit and chill or give the kids time to run off excess energy, 15-30 is about all you'll need here. …
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Date of experience: June 2017
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Ancient Mississippian culture site (14,ooo years ago +/- ) with large intact mound. Also nearby Hernando DeSoto expedition's crossing of the Mississippi River in 1541. Interesting statuary & plaques & old abandoned buildings ('French Fort'.) Across the street is 1 of only 2 Metal Museums in the world, dedicated to the artistic & practical skilled crafting of metals. They have a dot. org site…
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Date of experience: March 2017
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No one was there except us...watched the squirrels play, while walking and reading the information stones in park.
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Date of experience: June 2016
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If you happen upon Chickasaw Heritage Park (formerly DeSoto Park) you might not think much about it. However, it is literally full of history dating back hundreds of years. Located off exit 12 C on the I55 approach to the bridge going to West Memphis, Ark it is directly across from the National Ornamental Metal Museum. Comprising some 17 acres it is located in what is known as the French Fort Community. It contains Native American earth mounds, historical markers, walking paths, a sculpture and GREAT views of the Mississippi river ESPECIALLY from the top of the mounds. It has been home to where legend has it Hernando DeSoto first saw the Mississippi River (there are several areas up and down the Miss River that lay claim to this concept), Spanish settlers, Fort Pickering and a settlement for former slaves. It is the area where Meriweather Lewis of Lewis & Clark made a stop on his way to Washington to settle debts owed him for the Lewis & Clark expedition of the Louisiana Purchase. The two ceremonial mounds on site are interesting themselves. During the Civil War, the mounds were hollowed out and used for gun emplacements and munitions storage. If you crawl/walk to the top of the one closest to the road you will find the top has been carved out and looks like a giant empty swimming pool and the view from up there of the Mississippi River is awesome. If you are a history buff it is well worth the time and effort to discover and explore.…
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Date of experience: September 2014
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