Southwest Arkansas

It's a region as diverse as its people and its treasures.  Beneath the wealth of oak and pine trees in Southwest Arkansas lies a rich heritage.  You'll find history, legends, breath taking scenery and fun things to do in this part of the Natural State.  Lakes and natural streams with an abundant and ever-changing display of wildflowers dot the landscape from February to October.  In Southwest Arkansas, the magnificent colors of the fall are followed by a brief blackberry winter with only a dozen or so days seeing the freezing mark.

Whether you're a sport's enthusiasts or simply enjoy wildlife observation, Southwest Arkansas has an outdoor adventure for everyone in your family.  The richly populated wooded countryside attract hunters from around the nation to "the best deer hunting region in the state."   This region of the state is a virtual refuge to hundreds of species of birds, fish, reptiles and mammals.   The Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge consisting of 65,000 acres is ideal for fishing, hunting and wildlife observation.   A hunter's and fisherman's paradise, the region claims part of the famous Mississippi Flyway route which duck, geese-even wild swans-and many other species of waterfowl use on their way to winter in the warmer climates of central and South America.  

The western section of the region is anchored by Beautiful Millwood Lake which serves as a regional water supply source, recreational fishing and a waterfowl hunting mecca and refuge for many endangered species, including the American Bald Eagle.    In Lafayette County, Lake Erling attracts the Big Bass fishermen.   A lake known for its bass lunkers.

In Southwest Arkansas, you will find small, picturesque towns connecting folks socially and economically.  Antique and craft shops abound in the towns and villages throughout this region of the State, and you'll especially enjoy antique and craft shopping in Ashdown, Camden, El Dorado, Magnolia and Texarkana. 

The division between Arkansas and Texas, along Stateline Avenue, will have you standing on Photographer's Island to have your photo taken.  There are numerous historic buildings in Texarkana with the Perot Theater, Discovery Place Museum and the unique Ace of Clubs house. 

A wide range of industries are located in Southwest Arkansas.  The headquarters of Murphy Oil Corporation's domestic and international, fully-integrated operations, are based in El Dorado.  And, just north of the City, a State of the Art, clean, natural gas-fueled 2250 megawatt electric power generating plant, one of the largest in the country, has been built.  Learn about Arkansas' oil and brine  industries and the big 1920s oil boom at the Museum of Natural Resources on Scenic Highway 7 in Smackover.

Beautiful Magnolia, located in Columbia County, claims Albemarle Corporation as one of its premier industries.  Others include Alumax, SMI Steel and Amfuel.  The domed, blond-brick Courthouse was built in 1905 from a Renaissance Revival-Style design by W.W. Hall.  Five colorful murals can be viewed in the town's historic downtown square.

Camden, Arkansas, is home to the vast 1700-acre Highland Industrial Park which boasts such names as Lockheed Martin Corporation, HiTech, Inc., Atlantic Research Corp. and ARQUEST.

The City of  Nashville, Arkansas is best know among naturalists because of preserved tracks of dinosaurs that once called this area home.

The extraordinarily well-preserved and reconstructed 19th century town of Old Washington testifies to its history as a major stopping-off point on the well-traveled road between Camden and the Ouachita River, Old Washington and the Indian Territories.  The former Confederate Capitol of Arkansas features antebellum homes, tavern inn, blacksmith shop and a weapons museum.

Civil War battles are commemorated by State Parks---Poison Springs (10 miles west of Camden on the State Highway 76) and Marks' Mills (Highways 97 and 8, Southeast of Fordyce).   Don't forget to note that Fordyce is the town on "The Cotton Belt."
Hampton, Arkansas, in Calhoun County is known for its Courthouse that was featured in the former television series Evening Shade.

The western part of the region boasts an amazing diversity of industry including the Poulan Weedeater Plant at Nashville; Domtar paper product plant is at Ashdown in Little River County; the Pilgrim's Pride Poultry plant at DeQueen; Tyson Foods plant at Nashville; and the Potlatch Corporation and Firestone Products Company at Prescott.

Prescott is a historical rail town that has numerous old buildings still lining either side of the Prescott Depot Museum.  Prescott is poised for development with a new industrial park situated just a few yards away from I-30 access.

Along I-30 you will also find the Clinton Center and Hope Visitor Information Center and Museum at Hope, Arkansas.  You can tour the restored home where former President Bill Clinton lived as a child.  Hope is home to several industries including Klipsch Audio Technologies, SMI  Steel and Temple-Inland Forest Products.

Local bragging rights include the City of Fordyce-- the renowned home to former Alabama football coach Bear Bryant.  Magnificent antebellum, and later, mansions of rail, timber and oil tycoons dot the entire Region as do museums and artifacts of the early Indian tribes that once populated this land.

If it's cultural diversity, small, friendly communities and unparalleled natural beauty you're in search of--if you want off the fast track and yearn to return to a place where basic work ethics and traditional values are still in great abundance--then Southwest Arkansas is the destination for you, your family or your business. 
Come see us!