Arkansas City in Desha County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Flood of 1927

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 13, 2026

1. Flood of 1927 Marker

Inscription. The Flood of 1927 was the greatest disaster ever suffered by the county. Breaks in the Arkansas and Mississippi River levees, within the county covered the land with water from 4 to 30 feet in depth in April and part remained until summer. Most of the people fled to seek refuge. Later many people were subjects of charity. Deaths, destruction, damage and financial ruin resulted from the catas trophe. A drought and the Depression of 1930's followed the food. Years were required for the county to recover.

Erected 1976 by American Revolution Bicentennial Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. In addition, it is included in the The Spirit of ’76, America’s Bicentennial Celebration series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 33° 36.42′ N, 91° 12.184′ W. Marker is in Arkansas City, Arkansas, in Desha County. It is on Capitol Street close to Kate Adams Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 Capitol Street, Arkansas City AR 71630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas Delta,

in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain,

and in the Quapaw Homeland.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Upper South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

in the Piney Woods,

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 Viceroyalty of New France,

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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Desha County (a few steps from this marker); The X. O. Pindall Law Office (a few steps from this marker); Arkansas City Commercial Historic District

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(about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Desha County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Arkansas City River Port (approx. 0.2 miles away); John H. Johnson Cultural & Educational Museum (approx. ¼ mile away); Mississippi River Blues: The 1927 Flood (approx. 7.4 miles away in Mississippi); William Fisher Johnson (approx. 8.3 miles away in Mississippi). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arkansas City.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Great Flood of 1927 (was approx. 7.6 miles away in Mississippi but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Flood of 1927 (Encyclopedia of Arkansas). Excerpt:

The Flood of 1927 was the most destructive and costly flood in Arkansas history and one of the worst in the history of the nation. It afflicted Arkansas with a greater amount of devastation, both human and monetary, than the other affected states in the Mississippi River Valley. It had social and political ramifications which changed the way Arkansas, as well as the nation, viewed relief from natural disasters and the responsibility of government in aiding the victims, echoing the Hurricane Katrina disaster in the present day.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, 2008

2. Flood of 1927 Marker
In largely agrarian Arkansas, the Flood of 1927 covered about more than 5 million acres, with thirty-six out of seventy-five Arkansas counties under water up to thirty feet deep in places. In Arkansas, more people were affected by the floodwaters (over 350,000), more farmland inundated (over two million acres), more Red Cross camps were needed (eighty of the 154 total), and more families received relief than any other state (41,243). In Arkansas, approximately 100 people died, more than any state except Mississippi. In monetary terms, the losses in Arkansas (totaling over $1 million in 1927 dollars for relief and recovery) surpassed any other affected state.

(Submitted on May 3, 2026.)

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, 2008

3. Flood of 1927 Marker

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 13, 2026

4. Flood of 1927 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 24 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on May 13, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. 2, 3. submitted on May 2, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. 4. submitted on May 13, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.