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TEXARKANA,
USA
On the Arkansas
/ Texas State Line
Home of Texarkana Community College
and Texas A&M U, Texarkana.
Bowie County, East
Texas / Miller County, Arkansas
33° 26' 14" N, 94° 4' 3" W (33.437222, -94.0675)
I-30 and Hwys 59, 67, 71, and 82
116 miles NE of Tyler
178 miles E of Dallas
795 miles E of El
Paso
West of Little Rock, Arkansas
Population (Texas side): 36,193 (2020)
36,411 (2010) 34,782 (2000) 31,656 (1990)
Book
Hotel Here › Texarkana
Hotels |
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History
in a Pecan Shell
Texarkana is comprised of two separate municipalities, with separate
mayors and two sets of city officials. Fire departments, restaurant
inspection, and sewage departments cooperate.
The name is a composite of Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, although
the Louisiana line is some 30 miles south.
The three most popular legends concerning the origin of the name are
:
1. After a steamboat on the Red River that had been using the name
circa 1860.
2. A product called Texarkana Bitters that was manufactured in Northern
Louisiana.
3. The name was coined by a railroad surveyor who was so proud of
his brainchild that he erected a sign.
Pre-Columbian settlement of the area reveals a heavy population. Within
a thirty-mile radius of of Texarkana there are said to be seventy
Caddo Indian mounds.
Modern times began with the town being established in late 1873 -
the same day the first business opened. Real development began when
the Texas and Pacific Railroad (running East to West) met the
Cairo and Fulton Railroad (running North to South). The T &
P took the responsibility of platting much of downtown.
The state legislature granted the city a charter in 1876.
State Line Avenue was laid out along the line between the two states.
At first the post office was on the Arkansas side, but when Texas
residents wanted one of their own, it was built and for awhile there
were two separate facilities. The name was officially changed to Texarkana,
Arkansas-Texas and eventually postmarks bore the imprint of Texarkana,
U.S.A. The Federal Building consisting of a courthouse and post
office has the distinction of being the only Federal building situated
in two states. It has, for years been the subject of postcards and
even today a photographer's island is provided for tourists.
The Texas side of Texarkana had a population of 11,480 by 1925. The
Texas side of the city has historically held the larger population.
The railroads were historically the major employers of the area.
Texarkana's most famous son was Ragtime composer Scott Joplin. |
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Texarkana Lankmarks
& Attractions
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Ace of Clubs
House Museum
1885 Italianate-Victorian house. Period furnishings.
420 Pine Street. Admission. 903-793-4831 |
Texarkana
Historical Society and Museum
219, State Line Avenue
First (1879) brick building in Texarkana |
Regional Arts
Center
In the former US District Courthouse, circa 1909.
Fourth St. & Texas Blvd. Downtown.
903-792-8681
More Texas Museums |
Scott Joplin
Mural
Downtown. Third & Main Sts.
Texarkana's most famous son was Ragtime composer Scott Joplin. |
More Texarkana
Attractions
The Discovery
Place - Displays geared for children. 215 Pine Street. Admission.
903-793-4831.
Oaklawn Opry
- Country/Western music. 903-838-3333
Texarkana Fun
Park - 3 miles north of I-30 on North State Line Rd.
Wright
Patman Lake
Book Hotel Here › Texarkana
Hotels
Texarkana
Tourists Information
Texas
Travel Information Center
On I-30 west of US 59.
Operated by Texas Department of Transportation
Texarkana Chamber of Commerce
819 State Line Ave.
P.O. Box 1468, Texarkana, TX 75504
Phone (903) 792-7191
http://www.texarkana.org/
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| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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