The
Conway-Johnson family dominated Arkansas politics from territorial days until the
American Civil War. James Sevier Conway was the first
governor of Arkansas, serving from 1836 to 1840. He began many basic state programs, such as banks, roads, and prisons. Conway retired to his plantation near
Bradley, where he died in 1855. Several other prominent figures in early Arkansas politics were buried in the cemetery, including
U.S. Senator Ambrose Hundley Sevier. Locals succeeded in acquiring state protection of the site with the passing of legislation acquiring the site in 1975. After receiving listing on the
National Register of Historic Places two years later, the cemetery was given to the
Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism on March 27, 1984. After paving of a parking lot and addition of picnic tables, the park was admitted to the park system in 1986. The park encompasses the old homesite and family cemetery of the Conway family. == See also ==