Posted in Arkansas June 03, 2015 by

10 Abandoned Places In Arkansas That Are Being Reclaimed By Nature

There are certain parts of Arkansas that have more history than even some of the local residents may realize. These locations across the Natural State have been left without a population, whether tourist or residential, and now are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Take a look at these 10 abandoned places in Arkansas.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
10. Sneed, Arkansas: A ghost town in Jackson County, Arkansas, Sneed was abandoned in 1929 following an F5 tornado.
Wikipedia
On April 10, 1929, an F5 tornado struck northern Jackson County. The death toll was listed at 23, and many others were seriously injured. All that remains today of Sneed is a clearing where the school and church once stood.
9. Rush, Arkansas: A zinc mining region of the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas, Rush was an important part of what became known as the North Arkansas Lead and Zinc District.
Wikipedia
The buildings, structures, and ruins at Rush are the last visible remains of historic zinc mining activity in Arkansas. Of the other mining districts which once stretched across northern Arkansas, only limited debris now marks those sites.
8. Napoleon, Arkansas: At one point in time Napoleon was the county seat of Desha County, Arkansas. The town was flooded in 1874 when the banks of the Mississippi River burst through and tore apart the once-lively river port location.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson
The town was the subject of a chapter in Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi, in which $10,000 had been hidden behind a brick in a building. The author claims he found out about the hidden fortune but, when he tried to claim it, discovered the entire town had been washed away.
7. Monte Ne, Arkansas: This area can be found in the Ozark hills of the White River valley, located east of Rogers on the edge of Beaver Lake.
Wikipedia
From 1901 until the mid-1930s the area was a health resort, but the resort was not a financial success. The property was sold after the owner's death and after Beaver Lake was created in 1964 the town and resort were submerged. The only remaining structures there today are foundations.
6. Lewisburg, Arkansas: Lewisburg was an Arkansas town from 1831 until 1883, when it ceased being the county seat of Conway County, Arkansas.
Flickr/Jonathan Ball
Lewisburg was also the site of a significant occupation force of Union troops during the Civil War.
5. Kimberly, Arkansas: A little-populated location on the south side of Murfreesboro, Arkansas, the incorporated town of Kimberly began in late 1908 as an ill-fated land-development project spanning almost 240 acres of land. By 1911 the venture was abandoned.
arklahomahiker.org
The former Kimberly addition currently consists of about a dozen modern homes along State Highway 301 - also known as the "Diamond Mine Road" - which passes through Crater of Diamonds State Park.
4. Graysonia, Arkansas: This once booming town in Clark County, Arkansas is located on a dirt road in what is now known locally as "the middle of nowhere", halfway between Arkadelphia and Alpine.
Flickr/Farther Along
There are no populated communities in its vicinity and only a few scattered residences within a few miles of the former town's location. In the early 20th century, Graysonia was a main hub for the local timber industry.
3. Albert Pike Campgrounds: Overnight camping has been prohibited at this south Arkansas campground since 2010, when a fatal flash flood ran through the area after the Little Missouri River rose more than 20 feet in less than four hours.
Flickr/Pierce Presley
The site is now open during daylight hours but the campgrounds, once well populated, are now deserted overnight.
2. Anderson Flat: The first name of this now-abandoned town was Verona, Arkansas in the early 1900s. Anderson Flat was destroyed twice by dust bowl conditions in the early 1900s and 1930s.
ghosttowns.com
Anderson Flat is located 30 miles south of Harrison, Arkansas, approximately 15 miles from the Buffalo River.
1. Dogpatch USA Fun Park: Located along State Highway 7 between the cities of Harrison and Jasper, Arkansas, an area now known as Marble Falls, Dogpatch is an abandoned theme park that opened in 1968.
Flickr/Clinton Steeds
Dogpatch USA was a commercial success in its early years. Investors tried to turn that success into a sister park, "Marble Falls," planned with a ski resort and convention center. The venture failed and led to the park's closure in 1993.

Numerous locations across Arkansas have been taken back by nature’s elements, but the deterioration of a single building or house is nowhere near the scale of these places in the Natural State that have been left behind by everyone and everything except history.