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A Guide to American Ghost Towns

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If you know of any ghost towns in Arkansas that are not listed here, or know the current status of towns listed with little information, please contact us…

One of the contributors to information on this webpage summed up the feeling of ghost towns and what I am trying to do with these pages…

“These places are rich in history. Although, our people respect all that these towns are, I don't think they will ever know all of the importance of all these old places and as to how it pertains to missing pieces of Arkansas History.”  Teri Gentry, May 09, 2006. 

Thanks Teri for your contributions to helping save the history of some of Arkansas’ ghost towns.

HELP!  (NEW FEATURE) Please check here to find a list of ghost towns that various contacts are looking for.  IF you have any information on these places please e-mail me and I can respond back to those looking for info on these ghosts.

PLEASE NOTE: 

Where photos are indicated, please use your browser’s “BACK” button to return to this page.  More photos will be added over time.

ARKANSAS POST

Arkansas Co.

A class B river port located on SH 169, a mile east of the US 165 crossing on the north side of the Arkansas River. In 1686, Henri de Tonti, established a trading post along the north side of the Arkansas River, but in 1689 it fell into disuse. In 1762, France ceded the land to Spain, and the Spanish established a fort here called Fort St. Charles III. In 1803, America took control, and the site grew, becoming a busy steamboat landing, river port, and territorial capital with a population of 3500. It also had many homes, a bank, brick factory and a racetrack among its accouterments. In the late 1800s, after the railroads reached the area, the steamboat trade decreased, and the town faded. The site is a National Historic Park.

AUSTIN

Lonoke Co.

(Original site)  This old town was founded in 1821, and its remains lie near the present small town of Austin, northeast of Little Rock.

BARTHOLOMEW

Drew Co.

Bartholomew was on the Bayou Bartholomew in the eastern part of the county in the southeastern part of the state. It was founded in the early 1800s, and in 1832 received its post office.

BINGEN

Hempsted?

“Hello, I always enjoy your articles about the travels and towns you visit. If you ever get to SW Arkansas you need to visit the only true ghost in our area. It is called Bingen and has seven or eight remaining stores and homes (all abandoned) from the 1870's period.”

Contributed by Rick Steed, May 30, 2005

BLANCHARD SPRINGS

Union Co.

“This area 5-10 miles east of the border town of Junction City, AR, and just north of the Louisiana state line, was once a thriving resort community, drawing area residents and visitors to its mineral springs. In addition to the hotel(s), there was also a college in the area, perhaps in the New Caledonia community.. The springs eventually dried up and the resort died. The 1881 town is briefly mentioned on pages 862-863 of Goodspeeds History of (South) Arkansas, in the paragraphs about W. L. Risinger, one of my distant ancestors. I think copies of these volumes are available at the Barton Library in El Dorado, Arkansas, and probably in other libraries around the state. Most of my knowledge of the area is from family folklore. There is still a Blanchard Springs Baptist Church in the area.” 

Contributed by Dan Futch (07/08/2004)

BROWNSVILLE

Lonoke Co.

This class B, former county seat is located 25 miles east of Little Rock and three miles northeast of Lonoke, just north of I-40 at its junction with SH 31. It was established in 1846, and was the original county seat of Prairie County before Lonoke County was established. During the Civil War, Union Troops took over the town, and when they left looters and vandals stripped it of all valuables, then burned it.

CADRON

Faulkner Co.

Northwest of Little Rock, this class A steamboat port sits on a bluff overlooking the confluence of Cadron Creek with the Arkansas River, several miles west of Conway. Cadron was a founded in 1814, and by 1820, Cadron and Little Rock contested for the Pulaski County seat as well as territorial capitol. Cadron lost.  When the steamboat era arrived the community boomed, becoming a bustling river port, but when the steamship era ended, it died.

CHAMPAGNOLLE LANDING

Union Co.

A class B-river port, just south of the US 167 crossing of the Ouachita River, northeast of El Dorado. This is one of the oldest towns in southern Arkansas, and has changed names several times. It was first called Scarborough Landing, then in 1840, when the small town obtained the Union County seat honors, it was renamed Union Courthouse. In 1844 the county seat moved to El Dorado, and the town faded. As late as the 1960s there were still a number of abandoned buildings standing.

COLUMBIA

Chicot Co.

In the far southeastern corner of the state, this former river port/county seat is all but forgotten.

DAVIDSONVILLE

Randolph Co.

Now a state park, this class B town is on SH 166, at the Black River, nine miles south of US 62 at a point two miles west of Pocahontas. Davidsonville was established as early as 1801 and had a blacksmith shop, church, dry goods shops, hardware store, jewelry shop, saloons and the first post office, courthouse and land office in the state. It died in 1828 or 1829 when a ship landed and a virulent smallpox epidemic swept through town. The town was burned to prevent the spread of the disease. It is now a state park.

DODD CITY

Marion Co.

You might find Dodd City of interest, too. I grew up there and played in the old two story one room school house. It was built by a doctor and his wife.  It was located near Yellville.

Contributed by Teri Gentry  May 09, 2006

FRENCHTOWN

Fulton Co.

This tiny bump in the road is a onetime important travelers stop. In the 1860s, it was located on the old Yellville Road, and consisted of a store, and blacksmith shop. It is on SH 9, just north of the junction with US 62, about ten miles south of the state line, and ten miles southeast of Viola.

FROG LEVEL

Columbia Co.

This unique name was applied to a small community about eight miles northwest of Magnolia. It dates to the 1850s, and in 1853 a court was established here. At one time there were a couple stores, a hotel, and a blacksmith shop.

GOLDEN CITY

Logan Co.

A long forgotten gold-mining town established during a short-lived gold rush to the area south of Booneville in 1886-1887. The boom busted, and Golden City and its 500 people disappeared as quickly as it was built.

GRAPHIC

Crawford Co.

GRAPHIC is in Crawford County, near Mountainburg.  Its elevation is 900 feet and it is on the USGS map titled Mountainburg SW. It was a post office from 1883_1905. When it was closed Alma began handling its mail. It is located on the Crawford county map at Section 1, Township 10 North, Range 30 West.

Contributed by Ed Sanders, Nov 08, 2002

GRAYSONIA

Clark Co.

Located in the northwest portion of Clark Co., about 10 miles southeast of Amity.  It is on the banks of the Antoine River southwest of De Grey Lake, and about 80 miles southwest of Little Rock.  Rubble and ruins remain of this one-time lumber town that once had a population of 700. It was active from 1907-1930s.  The post office closed in 1950.

Click here for more information on GRAYSONIA.

GREENSBORO

Craighead Co. ?

“There is another ghost town near here. I would be glad to get the history for you.

Greensboro was just north of here (Jonesboro) and had quite a large population back in the 1800's.

I'm 61 years old and as a child I can remember the little town that was dying off. There's nothing there - on highway 351 just off highway 49 north - now except a small sign hidden in some weeds and the remnants of an old store. I can remember going into that old store and having the proprietor make big, thick bologna sandwiches for us. He would slather on the mayo and the bread would be so fresh it was almost gooey. Then we would top that off with a big Dr. Pepper and be on our way. Boy, have times changed!!

If you're interested I'll get the history for you and even send any pictures I can find. The reason Greensboro died was that the railroad located to Jonesboro, just south, and the town died off. As recently as 20 years ago you could walk in the woods and still see where the dirt streets had lain.”

Contributed by Judy Furr, Apr 09, 2005

GRIFFIN

Oachita Co.

OR

Union Co.

Shown on an 1898 map of Arkansas on Smackover Creek, midway between Smackover and Louann (Ouachita Co.), and just south of the county line.  On a land ownership map c1950, it is shown on the railroad in Ouachita Co., in Sec 33, T15S, R17W, between Louann and Smackover.

HIX'S FERRY

Randolph Co.

In 1800 William Hix established a ferry across the Current River, and was at the beginning of an important road. Today the site is in the far northeast corner of the state, in the town of Pittman, which grew up at a later date.

HOPEFIELD

Crittenden Co.

Located along the Mississippi River, just south of West Memphis. This one-time major river port was established at the site of the Spanish Fort Esperanza. It began in 1824 and the town was a busy place until it was burned during the Civil War.  The site then washed away in a river flood.

LAYNESPORT

Little River Co.

This former bustling river port and cross roads community was on the north side of the Red River, southwest of Ashdown, and east of the SH 41 crossing of the river.

LEWISBURG

Conway Co.

A former Arkansas River port that once had 1200 people. It is located just south of Morrilton, near where SH 9 crosses the Arkansas River.

MARIANNA

Original site

Lee Co.

The ORIGINAL SITE of this former river port is on the L'Anguille River, 1.5 miles west of present town. The original site once was the head of navigation on the L'Anguille River.  It is located due east of Little Rock and about 20 miles west of the Mississippi River.

NAPOLEON

Desha Co.

Along the Arkansas River near its confluence with the Mississippi River, this former river port was washed away in 1874. It was originally founded in the 1820s, and was a large and busy community.  According to Ruth D (Jan 2001), there was once a hotel, railroad depot and an old store, which is still standing among scattered mobile homes.

PINNACLE SPRINGS

Faulkner Co.

 “You may not be aware of Pinnacle Springs, AR.  It lasted only about 10 years (1880s) but in that time it had several hotels, a college and much more.  Do you by any chance have any information regarding its history?”

Contributed by Richard McFadden in Feb 2002.

Pinnacle Springs flourished in the 1880s and had 12 bathhouses, a college, cotton gin, 2 hotels, saloon and a skating rink.  It was located n the North Cadron River, about two miles from Guy. (GBS)

I can tell you that Pinnacle Springs was in Faulkner Co. on the banks of Cadron Creek between Guy and Greenbrier.

See also the Faulkner County Historical Society web page for more on the history of Pinnacle Springs.

Contributed by Mac Bird, Nov 06, 2006

RETTA

Pope Co.

Located on Highway 27, five miles north of Hector.

RICHMOND

Little River Co.

Richmond, AR, Little River County, is a populated place (1990 – 60) on the Ashdown West USGS map. Originally in Sevier county in 1857, Richmond fell in Little River county after an adjustment in county lines in 1867. It continued to function as a post office until 1929, when the mail began to  be handled out of Ashdown. It is located in Section 16, Township 13 South, Range 30 West.

Contributed by Ed Sanders, Nov 08, 2002

ROME

Arkansas Co.

This class B "suburb" of Arkansas Post is on a hill five miles from the present town of Arkansas Post. In the early 1800s, this hill town flourished, but when land titles were muddled, the town faded, and the people moved to Arkansas Post.

Hello, Just a quick statement about the entry that you have for "Rome", Arkansas. It is true that Rome was planned out (in 1819) as one of two "suburbs" to that of Arkansas Post –– then territorial capitol of the Arkansas Territory. However, in 1821 when the government was moved to centrally located Little Rock, the small upstarts and the historic Post of Arkansas (which originated in 1686) all virtually died off.  While there was the Post of Arkansas, or "Arkansas Post," there was a 3rd community of the same area –– like Rome, established in 1819 with economic and political aspirations –– the town of "Arkansas." Yes, any mention of "Arkansas" and "Arkansas Post" are two different communities, though historically only ½ mile from one another.  All three former community locations are within the 400+ acre boundary of the Memorial Unit of the Arkansas Post National Memorial –– a unit of the National Park Service.  I served for two years at this site as park historian and can direct you to many other "ghost town" and fort sites within the region, if you are ever interested.  A map showing the Post of Arkansas and towns (aforementioned "suburbs") are indicated.

Additional information submitted by:

Brian McCutchen, Historian, National Park Service (4/17/2003)

RONDO

Miller Co.

About a dozen miles east of Texarkana, this town has faded badly. It was founded in the 1830s, and finally got a post office in 1858. It offered refuge to the state government during the Civil War.

RUSH

Marion Co.

Just north of the Buffalo River, southeast of Yellville, this World War I zinc-mining town is long forgotten.

The Ghost Town of Rush is located in Marion County on the Buffalo River.  Many of the buildings still remain. The historical location is well protected and is in a remote area.  For more information, contact the Yellville Chamber of Commerce.

There are still many other buildings up. The picture I sent was in front of the Old General Store. It's a very peaceful and interesting place. Many of the "old timers" have amazing pictures of how it once looked in the early 1900s. Over 10,000 people lived in this mining community at one time. The picture (only shows) a small portion of what remains today. So, I don't think it would properly give the town credit to all of its wonderful history.

Contributed by Teri Gentry (May 08 & 09, 2006)

SCOTIA

Pope Co.

This old town site is on the Arkansas River, 2.5 miles south of the confluence with Maycallin Creek east of the county line and south of London, northwest of Little Rock. It dates to the early 1830s, and was a major river port and county seat.

TROTT'S STAND

Benton Co.

In the far northwest corner of the state, this former 1840-ish stage station's site is nearly forgotten.

It was also known as Trott's Tavern, Trott's Mill and Brightwater.   (Chuck Mushett, Apr 2002)

WITTSBURG

Cross Co.

Southeast of Wynne, this badly faded class D town was a major river port. It is two miles from Levesque, on the St. Francis River. In 1739, Bienville, the French governor of Louisiana, built a fort here. In 1803 when the Americans took over, the site was renamed Strong's Point, and from 1862-1868 acted as the county seat of Cross County. When the steamboat trade faded, the down did also. In 1886 the county seat was relocated to Vanndale, and today all that remains is a rural community.

YOCHUM BEND

Marion Co.

The Old Yochum Bend is now covered by Bull Shoals Lake. But it was an up and going town of the age as well. The cemeteries were moved to Old Midway. My grandfather worked with the Corps of Engineer and had many of the displaced maps before the dam went in. Every Memorial Weekend, people gather there and reunite and talk about the old times. My grandmother was one of these people. But these people are now passing on and I worry that these stories will be lost.

Contributed by Teri Gentry  May 09, 2006

Historians estimate that there may be as many

as 50,000 ghost towns scattered across the United States of America. During the next five years, Gary B. Speck Publications will be publishing unique state, regional, and county guides called

The Ghost Town Guru's Guide

to the Ghost Towns of *** ™

These original guides are designed for anybody interested in

ghost towns. Whether you are a casual tourist looking for a new and different place to visit, or a hard-core ghost town researcher, these guides will be just right for you. With over 30 years of research behind them, they will be a welcome addition to any

ghost towner's library.

Thank you, and we'll see you out on the Ghost Town Trail!

For more information on the ghost towns of ARKANSAS,

contact us at

Ghost Town USA.

E-mailers, PLEASE NOTE:

Due to the tremendous amount of viruses, worms and “spam,” out there, I no longer open any e-mails with unsolicited attachments, OR messages on the subject lines with “Hey”, “Hi”, “Need help”, “Help Please”, “???”, or blank subject lines, etc.  If you do send E-mail asking for information, or sharing information, PLEASE indicate the appropriate location AND state name, or other topic on the “subject” line.  THANK YOU!  :o)

IMPORTANT

These listings and historical vignettes of ghost towns, near-ghost towns and other historical sites in ARKANSAS above are for informational purposes only, and should NOT be construed to grant permission to trespass, metal detect, relic or treasure hunt at any of the listed sites.

If the reader of this guide is a metal detector user and plans to use this guide to locate sites for metal detecting or relic hunting, it is the READER'S responsibility to obtain written permission from the legal property owners. Please be advised, that any state or nationally owned sites will probably be off-limits to metal detector use. Also be aware of any federal, state or local laws restricting the same.

When you are exploring the ghost towns of ARKANSAS, please abide by the

Ghost Towner's Code of Ethics.