National Register of Historic Places listings in Mississippi County, Arkansas facts for kids

Location of Mississippi County in Arkansas

Have you ever wondered about the old buildings and special places in your community? Many places in the United States are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect and celebrate buildings, sites, and objects that have a unique story or history.

In Mississippi County, Arkansas, there are 42 such special places! These include old banks, schools, train stations, and even ancient Native American sites. Two of these places are even more important; they are called National Historic Landmarks. Let's explore some of these amazing historic spots in Mississippi County!

Exploring Historic Places in Mississippi County

Important Landmarks and Ancient Sites

Some places are so special they are called National Historic Landmarks. Mississippi County has two of these!

The Eaker Site

The Eaker Site is an ancient place near Blytheville. It's where people from the Mississippian culture lived a very long time ago. Imagine what life was like for them! This site helps us learn about the history of early people in Arkansas.

An overview of the Eaker Site.

The Nodena Site

The Nodena Site is another incredible ancient place near Wilson. It's also an archeological site from the Mississippian culture. Some historians even think the famous Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto might have visited this site way back in 1542! It's a window into a very distant past.

Fields at the Nodena Site.

Chickasawba Mound

Near Blytheville, you can find the Chickasawba Mound. This is another ancient mound built by early Native American people. It's a reminder of the rich history of the land before modern towns were built.

The Chickasawba Mound.

Historic Buildings and Districts

Many buildings in Mississippi County tell stories of the past. They show us how people lived, worked, and traveled.

Old Banks and City Halls

• The Bank of Osceola in Osceola is a beautiful old building that was once a busy bank.
• Osceola's City Hall is another historic building where important town decisions were made.
• The Planters Bank Building in Osceola also stands as a testament to the town's early business life.

The historic Bank of Osceola.

Osceola City Hall.

The Planters Bank Building.

Blytheville's Historic Areas

• The Blytheville Commercial Historic District includes many old shops and businesses on Main Street in Blytheville. It shows what the town center looked like long ago.
• The Kress Building in Blytheville is a classic example of early 20th-century department stores.
• The West Main Street Residential Historic District in Blytheville features many beautiful old homes. These houses show how people lived and the styles of homes popular in the past.

Main Street in the Blytheville Commercial Historic District.

The Kress Building in Blytheville.

Homes in the West Main Street Residential Historic District.

Courthouses

Mississippi County is unique because it has two county courthouses!

• The Mississippi County Courthouse in Osceola.
• The Mississippi County Courthouse, Chickasawba District in Blytheville.

Both are important buildings where legal and government work happens for the county.

The Mississippi County Courthouse in Osceola.

The Mississippi County Courthouse in Blytheville.

Other Interesting Buildings

• The Blytheville Greyhound Bus Station is an old bus station in Blytheville. It reminds us of a time when bus travel was a major way for people to get around.
• The Florida Brothers Building in Osceola is another historic commercial building.
• The Old Bell Telephone Building in Osceola shows where telephone services started in the area.
• The Osceola Times Building housed the local newspaper, telling the town's stories for many years.

The Blytheville Greyhound Bus Station.

The Florida Brothers Building.

The Old Bell Telephone Building.

The Osceola Times Building.

Schools and Depots

Many historic places were once centers for learning or transportation.

Old Schools

• The Burdette School Complex Historic District in Burdette was once a school that served the community. Sadly, part of it burned down in 2015.
• The Keiser School in Keiser is another old school building.
• The Wilson High School Gymnasium in Wilson is a historic gym where students played sports and gathered.

Train Depots

• The Blytheville, Leachville and Arkansas Southern Railroad Depot-Leachville in Leachville was a train station where goods and people arrived and departed.
• The Jonesboro, Lake City & Eastern Railroad Depot in Manila is another historic train depot. These depots were vital for connecting towns and moving goods across the country.

Special Places and Unique Structures

Mississippi County also has some truly unique historic listings.

Dyess Colony Center

The Dyess Colony Center in Dyess is a very special place. It was part of a project during the Great Depression to help struggling farmers. It's famous for being the childhood home of music legend Johnny Cash!

The Colony Administration Building in Dyess.

Herman Davis Memorial

The Herman Davis Memorial in Manila honors a local hero, Herman Davis, who was a decorated soldier from World War I. It's a place to remember his bravery.

The Herman Davis Memorial.

United States Highway 61 Arch

The United States Highway 61 Arch is a unique structure on U.S. Route 61 near the Arkansas-Missouri state line. It's a historic gateway that welcomes travelers.

The Highway 61 Arch at the state line.

Keiser Water Tower

The Keiser Water Tower is a historic water tower in Keiser. Water towers are important for providing water to a town, and this one has been doing its job for a long time!

Historic Cemeteries

• The Garden Point Cemetery near Etowah.
• The Violet Cemetery in Osceola.

These cemeteries are historic because they contain graves of early settlers and important community members, telling stories of the past.

Violet Cemetery.

Images for kids

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  Chris Tompkins House