Blytheville in Mississippi County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

United States of America

Bicentennial 1776 - 1976

Photographed by Thomas Smith, December 5, 2022

1. United States of America Marker

Inscription. Before 1776 this area was inhabited by Indian Mound builders, bayous were the only drainage and there was no flood control, there was an immense forest that consisted mostly of hardwoods and cypress, in the early 1900's drainage districts began to be organized, and ditches were dug to rid the land of water that sometimes stood year around, lumber industries developed and by 1940 most of the forest had been harvested. The cleared drained land became highly productive a farms. Cotton was the principal crop, but by 1950 soybeans were also grown abundantly. Blytheville Army Air Field was opened 1942 and reactivated as Blytheville Air Force Base in 1953. This made a significant contribution to the area’s culture and economy. After World War II the number of manufacturing industries began to increase, and in 1976 more were employed in commercial and industrial enterprises than in agriculture.

Erected 1976.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Air & Space • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the The Spirit of ’76, America’s Bicentennial Celebration

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series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.

Location. 35° 55.51′ N, 89° 54.29′ W. Marker is in Blytheville, Arkansas, in Mississippi County. It is at the intersection of W Vine Street and S. 3rd Street, in the median on W Vine Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blytheville AR 72315, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas Delta,

in Crowley’s Ridge,

and in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Blytheville Black Commercial Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Memoriam to those Men From Mississippi County Who Gave

Photographed by Thomas Smith, December 6, 2022

2. United States of America Marker

Their Lives in The Viet Nam War (approx. ¼ mile away); Mississippi County Korean War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Medal of Honor (approx. ¼ mile away); Brave Men from the 97th Bombardment Wing (approx. 4 miles away).

Photographed by Thomas Smith, December 6, 2022

3. United States of America Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2022, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 302 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 7, 2022, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. 3. submitted on December 8, 2022, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.