Dardanelle Rock (modern black and white image that has been photoshopped)Arkansas Gazette
February 7, 1838
A public sale of lots, in this newly laid off town, will take place on the town site, on Wednesday the 19th of Sept., 1838—a site so well known to every steam-boat officer and passenger, and every traveler who may have penetrated the new and flourishing State of Arkansas, to its centre, that comment is rendered needless; yet some remarks, for the information of those who are less acquainted with this rural spot, may be requisite. Dardanelle is one of the most ancient names known in the late Louisiana Territory. It was a place much fancied, and so called by the French settlers, prior to the purchase of this country by the United States government.
Dardanelle is handsomely situate on the southern bank of the Arkansas river, (nearly opposite to Norristown, the county seat of Pope), at the point where the military road crosses the same, being nearly the Centre of the State. The surrounding back country is rapidly improving and becoming thickly settled. The dense population of the rich and flourishing valley of Petite Jean, for 50 miles distant, resort to this as their best and most convenient depot, for receiving the great quantity of goods that they necessarily consume, and for the shipment of their valuable crops of cotton, which they begun to raise in great abundance; also, a great section of the rich and thickly settled valley of Fourche Le Fevre are so dependent on this landing for an outlet to their trade.
Dardanelle, though monopolizing the trade of the above mentioned country, is not confined solely to it, but receives a great share of patronage from the rich settlements north of the river.
Those who have ever examined a place, cannot say that there is a more handsome town site on the river, or one that possesses more real advantages, that the town of Dardanelle. The landing is as good as any other on the river, and the town site lays ten feet above the high water mark of the great flood of 1833, when the banks were so universally overflowed.
The sale will commence in the morning, and may last for several days. Terms, unless altered on the day of sale for the better convenience of purchasers, will be 20 per cent cash, 40 per cent in nine months, and the residue in eighteen months, payable by note, with good security. A liberal discount will be made to purchasers who pay the money down. Current notes will be taken on all solvent banks of Illinois, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
Indisputable title will be given to purchasers, and those wishing to invest capital, or locate in a delightful and healthy place, would do well to examine the town site.
J.H. Brearley, Agent for the Proprietor
Dardanelle, Jan. 18, 1838
Article found on a archived Arkansas history-related website; transcribed 2010 by Pris Weathers Dodson, ArkansasTies