Signature Places and Stories You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
“Only in Lafayette” is reserved for the county’s most distinctive places and stories—experiences that cannot be replicated, relocated, or replaced. These are the elements that define Lafayette County’s identity and create a lasting impression for visitors and residents alike.
From nationally recognized local businesses to literary legacy and historic landmarks, these highlights represent the moments where place, history, and culture intersect. They are the reasons people remember Lafayette County long after they leave.
Burge’s Hickory Smoked Turkeys & Hams is one of Lafayette County’s most recognizable names and a true signature destination. What began as a local operation has grown into a statewide and regional institution, particularly known for its holiday-season smoked turkeys and hams.
Burge’s represents more than food—it reflects the county’s ability to build something locally that earns national attention while remaining rooted in its community. For many visitors, it is their first and strongest connection to Lafayette County.
Address: 526 Spruce St, Lewisville, AR 71845 Phone: (870) 921-4292 Website: smokedturkeys.com
Stamps holds an internationally recognized place in American literature as the childhood home of Maya Angelou. Her formative years in Stamps profoundly shaped her voice, worldview, and later work, including the landmark memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
This connection places Lafayette County on the global cultural map. Few rural communities can point to a literary legacy of such lasting influence, making Stamps one of the county’s most powerful and authentic cultural touchpoints.
Official visitor context: arkansas.com/articles/visiting-town-stamps-childhood-home-maya-angelou
Conway Cemetery State Park is one of the most unique heritage sites in Arkansas and a place found only in Lafayette County. The park preserves the family cemetery of James Sevier Conway, Arkansas’s first governor, directly tying the county to the earliest days of state leadership.
Unlike larger, more commercial historic attractions, the site’s quiet setting and rural landscape reinforce its authenticity. It is a place of reflection that connects visitors to Arkansas’s political origins and Lafayette County’s role in shaping them.
Location: Bradley, AR 71826 Official site: arkansasstateparks.com/parks/conway-cemetery-state-park
Lake June is a long-standing recreation landmark closely tied to the Stamps community. Over time, it has served as both a gathering place and an outdoor resource, supporting fishing, leisure, and community connection.
Official restoration efforts and fisheries management by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission have reinforced the lake’s long-term value as a public asset, ensuring continued access and environmental stewardship.
Lake story: agfc.com/news/lake-june-revitalized-and-ready-for-rain Official lake map (PDF): agfc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/lakejune.pdf
Lake Erling is one of Lafayette County’s most prominent outdoor assets and a defining feature of the county’s recreation landscape. The lake is closely connected to the Lafayette County Wildlife Management Area, which supports public access, hunting, fishing, and habitat conservation.
Together, Lake Erling and the WMA represent a scale of outdoor opportunity that is uncommon for a rural county, reinforcing Lafayette County’s identity as a place where land and water remain central to daily life and long-term stewardship.
Official WMA information: agfc.com/wma/lafayette-county-wma
