Crowley's Ridge facts for kids
Crowley's Ridge is a special natural landform that stands tall, about 250 to 550 feet (76 to 168 meters), above the flat lands around it. It stretches for about 150 miles (241 km) from southeastern Missouri all the way to Helena, Arkansas, near the Mississippi River. It's the most noticeable hill in the huge flat area called the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, which goes all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
This narrow area of rolling hills is Arkansas's sixth and smallest natural region. Part of it is protected inside the Ozark–St. Francis National Forest. Many big cities in the Arkansas Delta are located along Crowley's Ridge. It was named after Benjamin Crowley, who was the first American settler to arrive in the area around 1820. A battle during the American Civil War, called the Battle of Chalk Bluff, happened on Crowley's Ridge in May 1863.
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What is Crowley's Ridge Made Of?
How the Ridge Formed
Crowley's Ridge is mostly made of a special type of soil called loess. Loess is like fine dust that was blown by strong winds during the Ice Age. This makes the ridge look very different from the flat, dark soil of the delta lands around it.
The ridge can be from half a mile to 12 miles (2 to 19 km) wide. It reaches its highest point, about 550 feet (168 meters) high, near its northern end. The very highest spot in Arkansas on the ridge is called "Legacy Mountain," located south of Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Wind and Dust: How Loess Forms
Imagine strong winds blowing dust into misty river fogs. When the dust gets wet from the fog, it tends to fall and build up. This is how loess deposits are formed, especially on the sides of rivers where the wind blows. Crowley's Ridge is a natural spot where a lot of this loess piled up. You can see similar loess hills in places like northwestern Missouri and western Iowa.
Is the Ridge Still Growing?
For a long time, people thought the ridge was an old island. They believed it was left behind when the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers changed their paths millions of years ago. However, new studies using seismic (earthquake-related) evidence suggest something different. They think the ridge might have been pushed up by movements along cracks in the Earth's crust, called faults.
There's even evidence that the ridge is still slowly getting taller. This idea connects the ridge to the nearby New Madrid Seismic Zone, an area known for earthquakes.
Plants, Animals, and Nature on the Ridge
Unique Nature and Protected Areas
The plants and animals on Crowley's Ridge are more like those found in the Tennessee hills to the east. They are different from the ones in the Ozark Mountains to the west. This special natural area is protected in several ways. There are state and city parks, part of the St. Francis National Forest, and even recreational lakes. In 1997, a special road called the Crowley's Ridge Parkway was made a National Scenic Byway, which means it's a beautiful drive.
Soils and Trees
The soil on the ridge is pretty good for growing plants, and some areas are very rich. The land is a bit bumpy, so it's not great for big farms that grow rows of crops. However, some farming does happen in the flatter loess areas of the ridge. The ridge is surrounded by the very fertile lands of the delta region.
The forests on Crowley's Ridge are mostly made up of oak and hickory trees. This is similar to the trees you'd find in the Appalachian Mountains. You can also see unique trees like the tulip tree (which has yellow flowers) and the American beech.
Wildflowers and Early Settlers
Many beautiful ferns and wildflowers grow here. Some examples include the American bellflower, fire pink, butterfly weed, cardinal flower, blue lobelia, phlox, verbena, wild hydrangea, hibiscus, aster, and yellow jasmine.
Long ago, the flat areas around the ridge were very swampy. This made Crowley's Ridge a natural and healthier place for early settlers to build their homes. The ridge also became an important path for travel from north to south, because it was much easier to travel along the ridge than through the wet, swampy lowlands.
Fossils on Crowley's Ridge
Ancient Discoveries
The flat delta lands next to the ridge have very thick layers of soil, so it's hard to find fossils there. However, sometimes in gravel pits, you can find amazing things! These pits have revealed teeth from huge mastodons, mammoths, and ancient horses. These giant animals roamed the continent as recently as 10,000 years ago.
Crowley's Ridge itself has important places where you can find fossils from the Tertiary period, which was millions of years ago. It's the only place in Arkansas where fossils from the Miocene epoch have been found.
Giant Tree Stumps and Bones
Imagine finding a petrified (turned to stone) conifer tree stump weighing several tons! One was found near Wittsburg, and many more were discovered around Piggott, Arkansas. Mastodon bones have also been found right inside the city of Helena, Arkansas, at the southern end of the ridge. Near Forrest City, Arkansas, in the bed of Crow Creek, a huge deposit of oyster shells was found. Scientists estimate it's nearly 7,000,000 cubic yards in size!
Who Was Benjamin Crowley?
Crowley's Ridge is named after Benjamin Crowley (1758–1842). He was the first American settler to live on the Ridge near Paragould, Arkansas. Benjamin Crowley is buried in the Shiloh Cemetery in Greene County, Arkansas. A special monument marks his grave. This cemetery is part of Crowley's Ridge State Park. Other early settlers of the ridge are also buried in unmarked graves next to Crowley's.
Crowley's Ridge Nature Center
The Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center is located in Jonesboro, Arkansas. It's a great place to learn about the area's natural history, its unique landscape (called topography), and the wildlife that lives on Crowley’s Ridge.
The Center was opened in 2004 and is run by the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission (AGFC). Inside, you'll find exhibits you can explore on your own, a discovery room, an observation tower, meeting rooms, an auditorium, and a gift shop. Outside, there are trails that go through wetlands, forests, and prairies. There's also a 1/4-mile (0.4 km) accessible trail and boardwalk around a pond. The Nature Center offers many fun activities and educational programs about nature. It is named after Forrest L. Wood, who was a big supporter of the AGFC.
