In previous columns, I’ve written about some of Arkansas’ beautiful mountains, rivers and lakes. We are blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and wonders. There’s many reasons why Arkansas was once known as “The Wonder State” and now “The Natural State.”
One of those natural wonders is a body of water in southeastern Arkansas — Lake Chicot, which lies on the east side of Lake Village (Chicot County). If you’ve driven from Arkansas to the Gulf Coast for a beach vacation then chances are you’ve seen Lake Chicot. The Arkansas Tourism welcome center on the lake features a pier that provides an amazing view of Lake Chicot. It also has some of the friendliest staff and the cleanest restrooms you’ll ever use.
Lake Chicot is not only the largest natural lake in the state, but it's also the largest oxbow lake in North America. About 300 years ago, the lake was part of the channel of the Mississippi River. Its name comes from the French word “chicot,” which in English means “full of cypress stumps.” If you’ve ever boated on or walked along the shores of Lake Chicot, then you’ve seen the many cypress stumps and trees that line its banks. The C-shaped lake is about 0.75 miles wide and 22 miles long.
In the 1820s, land around Lake Chicot became populated with settlers who came to farm the fertile land of the Arkansas Delta. Several plantations sprung up in the area, the largest being Sunnyside Plantation. The cotton plantation was built around 1830 and was farmed with slave labor. After the Civil War ended in 1865, freed slaves farmed it into the 1890s. The plantation changed hands numerous times over the years and was eventually shut down and broken up in the 1940s. Today, a historical marker exists at its former site.
On June 6, 1864, a Civil War battle known as the battle of Old River Lake was fought on the south shore of Lake Chicot. Union troops won the battle and forced the Confederates out of the Mississippi River area. The battle of Old River Lake is considered to be one of the final Civil War actions in Arkansas.
Another interesting bit of history about Lake Chicot is that pilot Charles Lindbergh (most famous for his solo transatlantic flight in 1927) made his first nighttime flight in April 1923 over the lake. The Chicot Delphian Society put a concrete monument at Lindbergh's landing site in 1934.
In 1957, the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism built a 211 acre-state park at Lake Chicot. The park features 122 campsites, 14 cabins, a swimming pool, boat launch ramp and a playground. The park also operates a marina that sells snacks, fuel and bait. Boats, motors and personal water craft are available to rent as well.
If you’re looking to have a staycation in Arkansas or just want to spend some quality time in Mother Nature, Lake Chicot is the perfect place to go. And if you do find yourself in the area and love authentic soul food, be sure and check out Rhoda’s Famous Hot Tamales in Lake Village. While Mrs. Rhoda is famous for her tamales, everything she serves is as beautiful to the tastebuds as Lake Chicot is to the eye.
A proud sixth-generation Arkansan, Darrell W. Brown is a lover of all things Arkansas. He lives on beautiful Lake Norrell in Saline County with his wife, Amy, and their two beloved Boston Terriers. Find him on Facebook and Instagram at AllAroundArkansas.
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