St. Francis in Clay County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Chalk Bluff Crossing and Town

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 14, 2009

1. Chalk Bluff Crossing and Town Marker

Inscription. Since Crowley's Ridge provided the only natural route for north-south travel across the lowlands of northeastern Arkansas, an Indian trail and later a military road crossed the river here. About 1840 Abraham Seitz established a ferry which was later operated by Timothy Dalton. The town which grew up near the crossing faded away after 1882 when the railroad bridged the river downstream at the new town of St. Francis.

Erected 1973 by Arkansas History Commission - Clay County Centennial Year.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.

Location. 36° 28.75′ N, 90° 9.744′ W. Marker is in St. Francis, Arkansas, in Clay County. It can be reached from County Road 347. Located at the start of a walking trail in Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Piggott AR 72454, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

and in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chalk Bluff in the Civil War (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Chalk Bluff in the Civil War (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Chalk Bluff in the Civil War

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(about 400 feet away); Chalk Bluff (about 400 feet away); The Battle at Chalk Bluff (approx. 0.6 miles away in Missouri); Hemingway Barn-Studio (approx. 6.8 miles away); Pfeiffer-Janes House (approx. 6.8 miles away); First Appointed Officals of Clayton County - Later Clay County, Ar. (approx. 6.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Francis.

Photographed by Craig Swain, circa 1998

2. Chalk Bluff Crossing and Town Marker

An earlier version of the marker was mounted on a single pole.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 14, 2009

3. Chalk Bluff Crossing and Town Marker

Ferry Crossing Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain

4. Ferry Crossing Site

The town of Chalk Bluff is nothing more than a place name today, but during the 19th century it was an important local crossing point over the St. Francis River. The far side of the river here is Dunklin County, Missouri. Later in May 1863, Confederates were forced to cross the river by way of a rudimentary floating bridge.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,399 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 20, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on January 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 20, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on January 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of the railroad bridge. • Can you help?