The story of Arkansas’s most famous folk tune, “Arkansas Traveler,” is deeply connected to one of the state’s most historic landmarks—Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The song is credited to Sanford C. Faulkner, a 19th-century Arkansas politician, humorist, and fiddler whose storytelling and music captured the spirit of frontier life. Known as the “Arkansas Traveler,” Faulkner’s tale and tune became a lasting symbol of Arkansas culture and hospitality.
Faulkner is laid to rest at Mount Holly Cemetery, established in 1843 and recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. Often referred to as Arkansas’s “Westminster Abbey,” the cemetery is the final resting place of many of the state’s most influential leaders.
🇺🇸 6 U.S. Senators Buried at Mount Holly Cemetery
Chester Ashley
Solon Borland
William K. Sebastian
Robert W. Johnson
Powhatan W. Latham
James P. Clarke
🏛️ 11 Arkansas Governors Buried at Mount Holly Cemetery
Archibald Yell
Thomas S. Drew
Elias N. Conway
Henry M. Rector
Harris Flanagin
Elisha Baxter
Augustus H. Garland
James P. Clarke (also U.S. Senator)
George W. Donaghey
Tom J. Terral
Junius Marion Futrell
⚔️ 4 Confederate Generals Buried at Mount Holly Cemetery
Thomas C. Hindman
James F. Fagan
Daniel H. Reynolds
Allison Nelson
In addition to its political significance, Mount Holly Cemetery also preserves Civil War history. An Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial marker notes that 3 young cadets from Little Rock—Samuel B. Adams, Chester G. Ashley, and Francis S. Johnson—fought in the 1864 Battle of New Market and are buried at the site.
From the legacy of “Arkansas Traveler” to the graves of governors, senators, and generals, Mount Holly Cemetery offers a powerful glimpse into the people who shaped Arkansas. It remains a place where history, culture, and heritage come together—honoring the individuals who helped define the Natural State.
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