Parkin in Cross County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Timber Shaped the Delta

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 22, 2023

1. Timber Shaped the Delta Marker

Inscription. Arkansas experienced a number of economic advances in the first quarter of the 20th Century. Extensive railroad building in the late 1800s set the stage for economic growth.

Although the Delta's popular economic image is King Cotton, lumbering reached an all-time peak in the early 1900s. Railroad lines allowed easy access to remote timberlands, and those same railroads could ship lumber to markets across the country. The result was a boom in logging. Companies raced for timber, and towns near the huge forests of the Delta were in the spotlight.

Sawmills depended on river and rails to ship finished lumber to growing markets in the north. At the turn of the 20th Century Parkin, Arkansas, had river, rail, and vast, uncut timberlands. Parkin was poised to take advantage of the timber boom.

[Caption] Lumbering reached its peak in the early 1900s and towns like Parkin, near the huge forests of the Delta, were in the spotlight. Photo courtesy American Lumberman magazine and Library of Congress

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 35° 16.788′ N,

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90° 33.476′ W. Marker is in Parkin, Arkansas, in Cross County. It can be reached from State Highway 184 0.6 miles north of U.S. 64, on the left when traveling north. Marker is at Northern Ohio School in Parkin Archeological State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 60 Hwy 184, Parkin AR 72373, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arkansas’ Crowley’s Ridge,

in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain,

and in the Cherokee Heritage Region.

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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: River, Rail, and Timber Bring Sawmills to Parkin (here, next to this marker); The Sawdust Hill Community is Born

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 22, 2023

2. Timber Shaped the Delta Marker

Featured marker is on the left.

(here, next to this marker); The Northern Ohio School (here, next to this marker); Struggle for Education (here, next to this marker); Student Life (here, next to this marker); A Hidden School Discovered (here, next to this marker); Conducting the Research (here, next to this marker); Class Is In Session (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Parkin.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 173 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.