A portion of the route is designated as an Arkansas Heritage Trail for its use by both armies during the Camden Expedition of the Civil War.

The route was extended east to the Jefferson County line during a period of highway system expansion after Act 9 of 1973 was passed by the Arkansas General Assembly.

[5] The final extension came in 1976, adding 1.2 miles (1.9 km) to the Arkansas Power and Light Company's White Bluff Steam Electric Plant as an industrial access road.

Union General Frederick Steele used the route to approach the Confederate States of America army in Camden.

[7] Confederate Major General Thomas J. Churchill, Mosby M. Parsons, John G. Walker and Jo Shelby's units also traveled between AR 9 and Leola to the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry, and at other points during the campaign.