Remnants of the short-lived but ambitious town of Davidsonville lie buried beneath the surrounding soil. Excavations and archival research by the Arkansas Archeological Survey are beginning to reveal the town's layout, the kinds of businesses that operated there, and the history of the people who hoped to make a future for themselves and their families. Founded by a group of businessmen hoping to make fortunes in land speculation as the United States expanded into its western territories, Davidsonville became Arkansas's first county seat, established to more easily conduct legal business after separating from Missouri Territory and to attract planters, merchants, and other businesses. The town was placed on high ground and oriented toward the river, then the major transportation route, with lots laid out in a grid pattern around a central courthouse square and a commons area between the river and the square. Despite these plans, transportation difficulties, river flooding, and competition from other towns caused Davidsonville to be abandoned after only 15 years.