McArthur, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
McArthur, Arkansas
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 McArthur, Arkansas
Location in Arkansas
McArthur, Arkansas
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Arkansas |
| County | Desha |
| Township | Clayton |
| Elevation | 45 m (148 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
71654
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| Area code(s) | 870 |
| GNIS feature ID | 58138 |
McArthur is a small, unincorporated community located in Desha County, Arkansas. This means it's a settlement that isn't officially organized as a city or town. You can find McArthur in Clayton Township, just northeast of McGehee along Arkansas Highway 1.
Exploring McArthur's History
McArthur might seem like a quiet place today, but it holds a fascinating secret from long ago. It is believed to be one of two possible spots where a famous explorer, Hernando de Soto, died. This happened way back in the 1500s.
The Mystery of De Soto's Death
Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer and conquistador. He led the first European expedition deep into the territory of modern-day United States. His journey covered parts of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas. De Soto was searching for gold and a passage to China.
During his travels, De Soto often presented himself as a powerful, almost god-like figure to the Native American tribes he met. This helped him gain respect and sometimes control over the local people. However, by the spring of 1542, De Soto became very sick. He was in the area near what is now McArthur.
Hiding a Secret Burial
De Soto knew that if the Native Americans discovered he was a mortal man and could die, they might turn against his expedition. He had told them he was immortal. To keep this secret, his men decided to bury him in a very unusual way.
The Native Americans in this region called the mighty Mississippi River "Tamaliseu." De Soto, however, had named it "Río del Espíritu Santo," which means "River of the Holy Spirit." His men chose this vast river as his final resting place. They weighted his body down and sank it into the deep waters of the Mississippi. This way, the Native Americans would not find his grave and realize their "immortal" visitor had passed away.
This secret burial helped maintain the image of De Soto's power for a little longer. It also allowed his remaining expedition members to try and escape the area safely. The exact spot of his death remains a historical mystery, with McArthur being one of the leading possibilities.
