Petit Jean Mountain in Morrilton, Arkansas

Petit Jean Mountain is a beautiful park about an hours drive from Little Rock. If you want to get in on some nature action while you’re in the Little Rock area, this would be a great spot to do it. There are several trails of different lengths, taking you anywhere from the bear cave to a waterfall to just around in a big circle. While on the mountain, you can visit the petting zoo or the antique car museum. My nephew was shocked to learn the cars in the museum are even older than his Mema (Grandmother).

But the legend of Petit Jean and the grave site are by far the most spectacular part.

Petit Jean was a woman in love. In love with a French nobleman named Chavet, who was given permission by the king to explore the Louisiana Territory. Chavet was engaged to a girl in Paris, who requested they be married before he left for the New World in hopes of joining him. Chavet refused, but promised to marry her and take her to the new land upon his safe return. The girl didn’t accept his refusal, and disguised herself as a boy, “Jean,” and applied for the position as cabin boy. The voyage reached the foot of the mountain in Arkansas and the sailors were greeted by the indigenous people. The group joined the Indians in a trip to the top of the mountain and spent the summer there. At the end of the summer, Chavet and the sailors prepared to return to France. Jean, however, fell ill and the departure was postponed. The girl confessed her ruse while on her death bead and begged Chavet’s forgiveness. She was returned to the top of the mountain to spend her remaining time and died at sundown.

“Many years later, a low mound of earth was found in a cove on the east point of the Mountain, with rocks fitted so perfectly that they could not have been there by accident. It was agreed that the grave was very old. This is believed to be the grave of Petit Jean.”

The spot is absolutely breathtaking and definitely worth a visit. There is quite a lot of Arkansas history on that mountain.