Visitors Guide to Attractions
in Greene County, Arkansas
Paragould is the main community on Greene County and features a historic downtown district with distinctive preserved architecture, a historical museum, and a unique memorial to veterans of the First Word War. West of Paragould is Crowley’s Ridge State Park which offers hiking, boating, swimming, fishing, camping, interpretive programs, and more!
Collins Theater
Paragould, Arkansas
This Art Deco building opened in 1925 as the Capitol Theater and originally hosted vaudeville and other live stage entertainment in addition to movies. The Greene County Fine Arts Council and the Collins Theater Foundation has transformed the facility into a modern community arts center and is now home to the Eastern Arkansas Ballet and used by the community for a wide range of cultural and general entertainment events.
Crowley's Ridge State Park
Paragould, Arkansas
Crowley’s Ridge State Park was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) beginning in 1933. The park features two lakes. A portion of Ponder lake has been sectioned off for use of pedal boats and water bikes, which are available for rent and has a swimming beach. Walcott Lake is a 31-acre fishing lake that offers anglers a chance at trophy-size largemouth bass, catfish and other stocked fish. Four and a half miles of hiking trails meander through the beautiful forest with one being completely barrier-free. The park has a complete interpretive program including guided hikes, nature talks, historic presentations, demonstrations, and evening programs that are available throughout the year. traditional camping sites and cabins are available.
Greene County Museum
Paragould, Arkansas
The Greene County Museum is located in a home that was originally built by Junius Marion Futrell, governor of Arkansas from 1933 to 1937. The museum consists of 14 rooms, each devoted to a theme that describes an aspect of Greene County history. Local artist displays are located in the halls and there are murals of early Greene County.
Historic Downtown Paragould
Paragould, AR
The Paragould Downtown Commercial Historic District (roughly bordered by Third Avenue, Kingshighway, 3rd Street, and West Highland Street) contains structures that reflect such architectural styles as Twentieth Century Commercial, Classical Revival, & Minimal Traditional that were built between 1882 -1953. The district is significant for its direct association with the founding, planning and development of Paragould and the ensuing building boom fueled by the timber industry.
Paragould Caboose
100 S. Pruett Street
Paragould, AR
Paragould War Memorial
Paragould, Arkansas
The Paragould War Memorial is a 7-foot bronze Statue of Liberty replica associated with the post-First World War movement to memorialize Arkansans who served in that war. It has the distinction of being the oldest Statue of Liberty outside this date of New York. The Paragould War Memorial was one of eight sculptures erected across the state in the 10 to 15 years following the end of the war in 1919. Seven of these depict "doughboy" figures. Only the Paragould War Memorial deviates from this trend with its depiction of the Statue of Liberty - a figure symbolic of the friendship between the U.S. and France.
St. Francis Sunken Lands Wildlife Management Area
Craighead, Poinsett & Greene Counties, Arkansas
The Sunken Lands WMA is an area in northeast Arkansas that was created by the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-12. The area became nationally famous as a hunting and fishing area in the early 20th century. Some isolated stands of old growth bald cypress still exist on the area, and there are excellent opportunities for bird watching and wildlife viewing. The Payneway Moist Soil Unit is protected from hunting and hosts a variety of shorebirds, eagles and several duck species.
Nearby Attractions
Bootheel Missouri
The Missouri Bootheel is the southeastern most part of the state and is composed of the counties of Dunklin, New Madrid, and Pemiscot. Explore what the region once was like at the area’s many conservation areas. Learn the history of New Madrid, the great earthquakes of 1812-13, the role the town played in the Civil War, and the town’s history at several museums and historic sites in the town. Get a great view of the Mississippi from New Madrid’s riverfront. Other regional history can be found in museums in the towns of Kennett and Malden.
Northeast Arkansas along the Great River Road
Northeastern Arkansas along the Mississippi River offers its visitors a variety of attractions. The downtown districts of Blytheville and Osceola have distinctive architecture in their downtown districts. The small communities of Manila and Earle have county museums covering the history and culture of the region. At Sans Souci Landing visitors can get a great up close view of the Mississippi River. Nature lovers will find plenty to do at Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge.
Western Tennessee
The Western Tennessee counties of Lake, Obion, Dyer, Lauderdale, and Tipton offers it visitors a variety of historical, natural, and cultural activities. History can be found everywhere in Western Tennessee at such places as Fort Pillow State Historic Park, the Alex Haley Home and Interpretive Center, and many county museums. Nature can be explored at Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee’s largest natural lake, and at Fort Pillow State Historic Park as well as the Tipton County Museum, Veterans Memorial & Nature Center. Unique architecture can be seen at the Tipton and Lauderdale County courthouses and their surrounding downtown districts and Confederate soldier monuments dot the landscape. Theater lovers will delight in the atmosphere of the Ruffin Theater in Covington.
For Travelers Heading Up the River
The Mississippi Meets the Ohio River Region
After the Mississippi River passes St. Louis it begins to change character. When the Mississippi River meets the Ohio River at Cairo, Illinois it is halfway on its journey to the sea. It is here that the brown muddy water of the Mississippi begins to mingle with the clearer water of the Ohio. Without the locks and dams the Mississippi begins to wind and curve so much so that the distance by water from Cape Girardeau to the Gulf of Mexico is twice the distance as a crow flies. The region where the Mississippi River meets the Ohio River is an area of transition in several respects both in terms of the flora and fauna but the culture begins to take on that of the Deep South. The Meeting the Ohio region of the Middle Mississippi River Valley offers it visitors a wide variety of options of activities to do and sites to see. Whether you’re looking for historical or cultural sites or a place to enjoy nature you’ll find it in this part of the country.
