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Sunday lunch at a historic tavern built around the early 1830s in a town that immediately takes you to nostalgia? YES, PLEASE.
Historic Washington State Park is a scenic 8-mile drive from the main Hope, Arkansas, exit. Many know “Old Washington” for its champion shade trees, its time as the former capital of Arkansas, its deep Civil War roots, and its reputation as an ideal destination for homeschool field trips.
Our family found Washington to be a haven during the Covid-19 pandemic. We lived about an hour away, and with our 2.5-year-old in tow, it became a safe space to run, play, picnic, explore and take weekly walks. We got to know “Freckles,” the horse, by name. The ladies working in the tavern recognized our “usual.” And Mr. Jerry taught us a thing or two about blacksmithing over a shared picnic near the 1914 Schoolhouse pavilion. It’s a place full of sweet memories.
Walking along the wooden sidewalks, reading the signs, chasing history with their interactive app and exploring flower-covered fields during the Jonquil Festival provided me with many opportunities to wonder what it would have been like to be a lady of the land, the kind of woman who greeted weary guests traveling by carriage, watched foot soldiers march out of town during wartime or picked fresh lamb’s ear from the town doctor’s garden.
So, walking up on the breezy, shaded porch of Williams Tavern, surrounded by heirloom roses, poofy hydrangea blooms and wild gardenia, it’s easy to imagine you’ve stepped through a Narnia-style wardrobe, discovering hospitality, nostalgia and the warmest of flavors.
History of Washington, Arkansas
Founded in 1824, Washington, Arkansas, was once one of the most significant towns in the state with a location on the Southwest Trail, a vital route for pioneers, politicians, merchants and soldiers moving westward. When Little Rock fell to Union forces during the Civil War, Washington served as the Confederate capital of Arkansas from 1863 to 1865. Throughout the 19th century, the town flourished as a hub of law, education and commerce.
Today, visitors can discover numerous preserved and reconstructed sites throughout the park, each revealing a piece of Arkansas’s frontier story. Here are a few must-see stops:
- 1936 Hempstead County Courthouse served as Arkansas’s Confederate state capitol during the Civil War. (don’t miss the moonshot pine on the lawn)
- 1874 Hempstead County Courthouse: This Second Empire–style building replaced the original courthouse and highlights postwar architecture and local history in the Visitor Center.
- Oldest Living Magnolia Tree in Arkansas: Planted in 1839, this magnificent tree is acknowledged as the state’s first magnolia and stands as a natural landmark.
- Sanders House and Farmstead is a living example of 19th-century homesteading, featuring a barn, smokehouse, farm animals and gardens.
- James Black Forge: This working blacksmith shop honors the legendary bladesmith believed to have crafted the original Bowie knife.
- W. Edwards Weapons Museum: Features a unique collection of historic firearms and weapons from the colonial era to World War II.
- Print Museum: Witness antique printing presses in action and discover how 19th-century newspapers were produced.
- Goodlett Cotton Gin – Hailing from nearby Ozan, this steam-powered gin highlights the agricultural heritage of Southwest Arkansas.
History of Williams Tavern
Originally built in 1832 by John Williams, Williams Tavern served as a crucial stop for travelers. With stagecoaches and wagon trains passing through town, the tavern offered food, rest, and conversation to everyone, from mail carriers to politicians. In the 1980s, the building was relocated down the trail to Washington, undergoing reconstruction with hand-hewn logs and salvaged materials, providing guests with an authentic taste of what dining must have been like over 200 years ago.
Today, it serves as both a restaurant and a living history exhibit, where your fried chicken comes with a side of storytelling. And don’t miss the gift shop in the lobby, filled with jams, jellies, relish and preserves—an easy way to take home your favorite bites.
Favorite Flavors of Southern Times
While the menu today may not feature 1800s delicacies like pickled pig’s feet or squirrel stew, Williams Tavern is hands-down one of my favorite places to eat in all of Arkansas. The tea is always freshly brewed and has just the right level of sweetness that makes you grateful to be Southern.
- Reuben Sandwich – This is undoubtedly the BEST Reuben sandwich anywhere. I mean, anywhere. It’s the perfect blend of tangy Russian dressing, thinly sliced corned beef, “not-so-funky” sauerkraut and toasted bread. Here, you won’t be limited to chips or fries. Choose from a selection of Southern sides, veggies and deep-fried classics.
- Chicken Fried Steak: One of my dad’s all-time favorites and a must for any Sunday dinner worth its salt. It’s not something I grab on a random Tuesday, but when I want comfort food done right, this is it. Thin, extra-crispy batter served with your choice of white country gravy or brown. Choose two sides, and you’ve got yourself a meal that feels like Grandma made it.
- Corn Nuggets – Nothing fancy, just exactly what you expect from half-dollar-sized bites of crispy, fried creamed corn goodness.
- Fried Okra – My mama stopped making it because it never turned out like Grandmother’s. That’s why this is always my choice. It’s lightly breaded, crispy, and somehow makes you feel like you’ve eaten a vegetable.
- Earthquake Cake – A warm chocolate delight that’s part dessert and part edible science experiment. Gooey chocolate cake layered over coconut cream crackles and sinks into itself as it bakes—pure magic.
- Peach Cobbler – Think jammy peaches, a golden crust, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top. Sometimes, blackberry or chocolate cobbler sneaks in, because why not keep dessert exciting?
The last time I visited, I noticed two new additions worth celebrating: the Sunday lunch buffet and Saturday/Sunday breakfast. The buffet was packed with fried pork chops, chicken and dressing, meatloaf and dumplings—plus six side options and a salad bar, all for just $17.99. Country boys, Hope preachers and farm children alike were heaping their plates with joy.
Check the menu board as you enter for a showcase of daily specials, desserts you didn’t know you needed or seasonal favorites like poppyseed chicken, turkey and dressing or a meatloaf sandwich.
I’ve been on work trips where we rerouted for a taste of Williams Tavern. It’s a fun date-night spot when reenactments are happening at Arkansas’s first Confederate courthouse. If you stay nearby at Coulter Farmstead, chasing Wilder dreams, or at the Jailhouse bed and breakfast, the tavern now serves breakfast on weekends from 7 to 10 a.m.
Sounds like it’s time to hitch your horse to the wagon and head to Washington!
Williams Tavern Restaurant at Historic Washington State Park
103 Franklin Street | Washington
870-983-2890 | website
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