From the 1927 book “Early American
Inns and Taverns” by Elise Lathrop:
In the entire State of Arkansas but
one old inn, and that is in the northwestern corner, has
been located, nor has this been used as an inn since the
Civil War. It stands in good condition, however, and is
occupied by the family who owned it during its last days
as an inn.
This, the Elk Horn Tavern, was
built in 1833, by Jesse Cox. He was succeeded by his
son, and after the latter’s death, his daughter and her
husband purchased it.
The old tavern took its name from a
pair of huge elk horns, which were fastened to the top
of the house, the animal having been killed by the
carpenter and builder. This house was also a stage
stop.
During the three days of March 6-8,
1862, a battle raged near here, and at one time, General
Curtis of the Union Army, with forty thousand troops,
was encamped here, while the Confederate General Pierce
and his men were camped to the south. The latter
learned of General Curtis’s whereabouts, and surprised
him near Elk Horn, by taking a different route than had
been expected. The battle lasted until both sides had
exhausted their ammunition, and is known as the Battle
of Pea Ridge. The present owner of the old tavern tells
that his wife’s parents were living here at the time,
and that the last fighting went on in the actual yard.
A bill has been introduced in Congress to make this
section a National Park, so the old tavern may yet be
spared for many years.
To see modern photographs of the
Elk Horn Tavern:
Pea Ridge
---------------
Miss Logan
Rink sent me the following information:
The Elkhorn Tavern was not actually
built by Jesse Cox, it was built by my ggggg
grandfather, William Ruddick in about 1833. Following
his death, it was passed to his son-in-law, Samuel Burks
who helped build it. Samuel Burks then sold it to Jesse
and Polly Cox in 1858.
Logan Rink
pipercharmed1994 @
yahoo.com
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