New Sign at Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park

August 29, 2002 - The Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park is receiving a new park sign at the intersection of Highway 49 and 362, says Jay Miller, Program Services Administrator of Parks and Tourism. It will represent both natural elements (frog) and historic elements (compass), will state "A National Historic Landmark" and will note that the park is 2 miles distant. The sign will be standard 6' x 8' and Miller expects it to be completed by the time the boardwalk repairs are finished later this year.

Artist Albert Smith has been hand carving distinctive state park signs for almost 20 years. He is one of a staff of seven artists, designers and fabricators of exhibits, signs and publications in the Program Services section of Arkansas State Parks under the direction of Miller. Albert's work has been featured in the national magazine: "Signs of our Times," several of his signs are recognized as outstanding American outdoor sculpture by the Smithsonian's Museum of American History, and this year Albert was a finalist for the Department of Arkansas Heritage and the Arkansas Arts Council's Arkansas Living Treasure award.