The first post office in Arkansas was established here on June 28, 1817, with Adam Richie as postmaster. Old Davidsonville was also the site of the first court house in Arkansas, built in 1815. The first United States Land Office in Arkansas was built here in 1820. John Davidson, for whom the town was named, represented this county in the Missouri Territorial Legislature in 1816. Stephen F. Austin, the father of Texas, held the first territorial court here in 1820.