Growing
up in central Arkansas, I can’t remember going to Texarkana unless we were
passing through on the way to Dallas or Houston.
That changed after I met a native Texarkana girl in 2005, and especially after we tied the knot in 2010. Now I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to the place that bills itself as the city that’s “twice as nice.”
But until a few weeks ago, I didn't know why there’s a Texarkana, Arkansas, and a Texarkana, Texas. My wife didn't know, and neither did my father- and mother-in-law. Thus began my quest to find the answer.
Texarkana, Arkansas, was founded at the intersection of the Cairo and Fulton Railroad and the Texas and Pacific Railroad in December 1873 and incorporated in Arkansas in August 1880. Apparently, a group of proud Texans (aren’t they all?) wanted a stake in the new city’s action, so they got together and helped form the twin city sister of Texarkana, Texas, which was granted a charter by the Texas State Legislature in June 1874.
The city’s name is interesting. It’s a blend of Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana, which is about 30 miles away. But there are other theories as to how the city got its name. One says the city took its name from a steamboat known as the Texarkana, which traveled the waters of the nearby Red River in the early 1860s. Another says the town was named after a medicinal drink called “Texarkana Bitters,” which was sold in the late 1860s at a general store in nearby Bossier Parish, Louisiana.
While commonly marketed as one city by its chamber of commerce, Texarkana consists of two separate municipalities, each with its own mayor, city council and police, fire, parks and sanitation departments. As the state of Texas does not have a state income tax, residents of the Arkansas side are exempt from Arkansas’ income tax.
The border between Texas and Arkansas runs along the yellow center line of State Line Avenue in Texarkana. As Bowie County, Texas (named for the legendary hero of the Alamo, James Bowie), is a dry county, several liquor stores line the Arkansas side of State Line Avenue in Miller County (named for Arkansas’ first territorial governor, James Miller). Thirsty customers from Texas seeking adult beverages regularly cross the state line to patronize Arkansas watering holes.
One famous downtown landmark is known as “Photographer’s Island.” The city is home to a federal courthouse and post office that straddles the two states. The courthouse building is the second most photographed courthouse in the U.S., second only to the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. Built in 1932-33, the historic structure features a base of pink granite from Texas and walls of limestone from Arkansas. Photographer’s Island stands in front of the building where visitors can stand in two states at once and is open 24 hours a day free of charge.
Some famous Texarkansans include famed composer and pianist Scott Joplin, who was born in Texarkana, Texas, but raised on the Arkansas side. Businessman and 1992 and 1996 independent presidential candidate Ross Perot was born and raised in Texarkana, Texas. Former Arkansas Gov. Frank White was born and raised in Texarkana, Texas, and former Arkansas governor and 2008 and 2016 presidential candidate Mike Huckabee lived several years in Texarkana, Arkansas, as pastor of Beech Street Baptist Church
So, does the city live up to its motto of being twice as nice? Considering my in-laws and many of my wife’s relatives live there, I would have to say so. It's a great city full of wonderful people and things to see and do. It also doesn’t hurt that the city has the closest Whataburger (my favorite burger chain) to my home in Saline County.
A sixth-generation Arkansan, Darrell W. Brown is a lover of all things Arkansas. He served several years with the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, and worked in all three divisions. He lives in Saline County with his wife, Amy, and two beloved Boston Terriers. Find him on Facebook and Instagram at AllAroundArkansas.
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