Potts Inn – Pottsville, AR | Travel With Cajunville

As the passengers step out of the stagecoach and onto “the rock” they are dusty, hungry, and mostly tired. They are ready to relax, clean up, and enjoy a home cooked meal. The ride was long, bumpy and at times dangerous. This is what passengers along the Butterfield Stagecoach Route must have felt as they arrived at the Potts Inn in Pottsville, AR.

The stately Potts Inn was built in the 1850s and remained in the Potts family until 1970 when it was sold to the Pope County Historical Foundation. Today it serves as a museum and as you move through the house, you can envision a card game in the sitting room or passengers eating a hot meal at the large dining room table.

Dinner is ready

The museum houses original furnishings, clothing, and tools. On display are the brick molds which were used to form the brick used in the original construction. In addition to the home, the property houses the original barn, well house and smokehouse. Various other period buildings have been moved to the property.

Brick Molds

In the mid-1800s, the Inn served as a post office as well as a social gathering place. In addition it was an overnight stop along the Butterfield Stagecoach Route. After the stagecoach line stopped service, the inn furnished food and lodging for surveyors and engineers of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railway Company.

Even though the inn is no longer in operation, the property is still popular with residents. There is a gazebo on the grounds which is used for weddings as well as photos including prom and senior class pictures. Even the front porch of the home is popular for pictures.

The original rock that guests used to step off the stagecoach is still in the front yard. As we stood on the rock, we could just imagine how weary travelers felt knowing a hot bath, clean bed, and home cooked meal awaited them inside the Potts Inn.