Arkansas Rural Investment Property

Historical ARKANSAS CITY, ARKANSAS

Cotton Fields Line the Highway

Barges Coming up the Mississippi Across the Levee from Arkansas City

Methodist Church circa 1873

"Front Street"
View from the top of the Levee

"Governor Pindall's Law Office"
National Register Property
(Part of investment package)

Historic Desha County Courthouse
National Register Property

The original home of John H. Johnson (Restoration project soon to be completed)

The Mayor's Honey Production Facility on Front Street

"Thane Home"
National Register Property

LEVEEFEST! - Food and music festival 2nd Saturday in September

"Delta Farming" - A view riding the levee north of Arkansas City

"Mound Cemetery"
One of the South's Oldest

Taking the Highway 4 National Scenic By-Way route through the southeast Arkansas town of Arkansas City opens the door to an adventure offering scenery, history, culture, and recreation in the natural, undisturbed setting of a time gone by.

Just outside of Arkansas City is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's access to one of southeast Arkansas's finest fishing lakes, Lake Kate Adams. The lake serves as a popular site for fishermen, birdwatchers, duck hunters, and those wanting a pristine view of delta sunsets. It also provides the water access to the G&FC'S newly acquired 9000 acre public wildlife management area that surrounds Arkansas City.

A nature trail that begins immediately across the levee from the city’s historic business district is planned for the pedestrian exploration of the WMA. Motor vehicle travel through the property includes access to a new class A boat ramp into the Mississippi River. These amenities will serve the area bringing in both retirees and vacationers. (Undeveloped acreage adjoining the city is available for development).

The city, once a major river town of substantial population and commerce, was ravaged by the 1927 flood that swept away the lumber mills and then departed leaving the river channel, previously a stones throw from "Front Street", a mile to the east. The effect was to create the wildlife refuge area known as Choctaw Island, now the public WMA. Though its economic base was destroyed by the flood, enough of the town's history remains to offer the potential, along with the recreational attractions, to become a major tourist attraction to southeast Arkansas.

In the past five years, four structures in imminent danger of being lost have been restored and all are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (These buildings, the only ones remaining in the business district, along with numerous lots in the district, are a part of this investment offering.) The city now has seven buildings listed on the Register with another seven being deemed eligible.

One of the buildings, the Arkansas City High School, constructed in 1910, now serves as an annex to the historic Desha County Courthouse. The courthouse and annex are currently involved in a 3.5 million dollar restoration/renovation project.

One of the National Register properties currently houses a recording studio operated by local musicians. The other investment properties in the city's historic district could be remodeled to house a restaurant, bed and breakfast, antique store or other retail shops.

Probably the most famous person to have roots in Arkansas City is John H. Johnson, founder and publisher of Ebony and Jett Magazines. Mr. Johnson's boyhood home has been restored and will soon become the centerpiece of the John H. Johnson Learning Center in Arkansas City; a branch of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Though the poverty of the area is reflected in many of the city's dwellings, there remain a number of older homes that were built to withstand the frequently occurring floods of the late 1800's and early 1900's. Recent successful efforts to establish a zoning ordinance throughout the city's historic district, over time, will let these jewels from the past shine again.

Through the recording studio and other local music interests, the city has begun to acquire a reputation for attracting recognized recording artists of both a local and national stature. A fall music and food festival, "LeveeFest", showcases the local music talent. Combined with the various recreational enjoyments and unique history of the area, this adds to the opportunity for development in the area of tourism and retirement.

Perhaps the most significant merit in investing in the future of this town of less than 600 people is the fact that I-69, the nation's newest and most important transportation corridor between Canada and Mexico, will cross the river 2 miles north of Arkansas City. An off ramp at the intersection of Highway 4 North will be located 2 miles from the business district of the city. Riverboat casino gambling, lawful on the Mississippi side of the river, will undoubtedly soon follow the construction of this interstate. Arkansas City will be the closest town to such development on either side of the river.

The change in the course of the Mississippi River after the 1927 flood has been viewed, in the past, as having deprived Arkansas City of its destiny to become a great city. Ironically, with the passage of time, that "albatross" of being a "destination only" town, i.e., no through traffic, has now become a major asset in that visitors are able to enjoy the feeling of “stepping back in time” in the tranquil setting of this small town nestled in the bend of the Mississippi River Levee.

With stocks and bonds showing little attraction to the prudent investor and with security in metropolitan areas becoming an ever increasing concern, relocating and doing business in rural America just seems to make good sense. You can't find a small town in the southeastern part of the USA that has more growth potential than Arkansas City, AR. The opportunity for tourism and recreational development, and a secure tranquil area for residential growth, coupled with being just minutes from the newest interstate to be constructed in the USA, make this the ideal place for the right investor(s).

Thank you for visiting this site.

For information please contact:

Moore Farms
P. O. Box 250209
Little Rock, AR 72205
email: robert@robertmoorejr.com