Historical Markers in Phillips County, Arkansas
"We are well fortified"
A Cemetery Becomes a Battleground
A Grand Memorial
A Great Upheaval
A Short Lived Confederate Victory
A Terrific Fire From Graveyard Hill
A Union Stronghold in Confederate Arkansas
African American Troops Held This Ground
Answering a Call for Help
Arkansas' Mercí Car
Battery A
Battery B
Battery C Revealed
Battery D
Battle of Helena
Becoming Soldiers
Civil War Comes to Arkansas
Coming to the Aid of Fort Curtis
Defending Helena
Does the River ever flood?
Explore our Top Outdoor Destinations
Fight at the Levee
Fighting to Stay Free
Flags over Fort Curtis
Fort Curtis
Fort Curtis, 1862-1867
Freedom in Helena!
General J.F. Fagan's Attack
General Patrick Cleburne
Helena and The Trail of Tears
Helena's Contraband Camps
Helena's Doughboy
Helena, Arkansas
Helena, Arkansas
"Hell-in-Arkansas"
Hernando De Soto
Holding the Little Rock Road
Judge Jacob Trieber
KFFA 1360 Helena
Lick Creek Skirmish
Life Under Union Occupation
Live at the Opera House
Loyal to the Old Flag
Patrick Cleburne in Helena
Patrick Ronayne Cleburne
Phillips County Court House
Phillips County Goes to War
Phillips County's Confederate Soldiers
Phillips County, Arkansas
Pippengerville
"Put arms in their hands"
Recruiting in Helena
Remembering the Fallen
River Birds
Russwurm Memorial
Sacred Heart Academy
Seizing Freedom
Service with Distinction
Seven Confederate Generals
Sonny Boy Williamson in Helena
St. Catherine Academy
The 33rd Missouri Spikes the Guns
The American Legion Hut
The Avenging Fire of the Gunboat
The Battle of Helena
The Battle of Helena
The Blues Trail: Mississippi to Helena
The Blues Trail: Mississippi to Helena
The Civil War Brings Hardship
The Confederates Attack Fort Curtis
The Confederates Take Battery C
"the gun boat Tyler saved the day "
The Guns
The Hard Road to Equal Rights
The Helena Bridge
The Irish Immigrant
The Mississippi River Defines Helena
The New Fort Curtis
The Right to Vote
The River Connects communities
The T-33 Shooting Star
The Union Army Marches Into Helena
Their Guns Pounded Graveyard Hill
They Passed This Way
Those who have come before
U.S.C.T. in Helena
USCT in Helena
"We are all the same as dead men"
"We shall never be the same"
West Helena, Arkansas
What is a bottled hardwood forest?
What is the impact of stormwater on the Mississippi
Who Built Fort Curtis
William Patterson
World War I 1917-1918
“Let him sleep now with his brave companions”
About Phillips County
Phillips County Timeline
Phillips County, Arkansas, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples, such as the Caddo and Quapaw tribes, who utilized the Mississippi River for transportation and trade. European exploration began in the 16th century, with French explorers traversing the region.
During the 19th century, Phillips County played a significant role in the expansion of the United States. It became a major center for cotton cultivation and trade, with large plantations dominating the landscape. The growth of the cotton industry went hand in hand with the institution of slavery, as African Americans were forcibly brought to the area to work on these plantations.
The county witnessed several key events during the Civil War. In 1862, the Battle of Helena took place just across the river, where Union forces successfully defended the city against Confederate attacks. Following the war, the Reconstruction era brought significant changes to Phillips County, as African Americans gained political power and economic opportunities. However, racial tensions persisted, leading to violent incidents like the 1919 Elaine Massacre, during which numerous black residents were killed.
In the 20th century, the county faced economic challenges due to factors such as the decline of the cotton industry and the Great Depression. However, efforts were made to diversify the local economy, leading to growth in industries such as manufacturing and tourism. Today, Phillips County is a vibrant community, proud of its history while embracing a promising future.
During the 19th century, Phillips County played a significant role in the expansion of the United States. It became a major center for cotton cultivation and trade, with large plantations dominating the landscape. The growth of the cotton industry went hand in hand with the institution of slavery, as African Americans were forcibly brought to the area to work on these plantations.
The county witnessed several key events during the Civil War. In 1862, the Battle of Helena took place just across the river, where Union forces successfully defended the city against Confederate attacks. Following the war, the Reconstruction era brought significant changes to Phillips County, as African Americans gained political power and economic opportunities. However, racial tensions persisted, leading to violent incidents like the 1919 Elaine Massacre, during which numerous black residents were killed.
In the 20th century, the county faced economic challenges due to factors such as the decline of the cotton industry and the Great Depression. However, efforts were made to diversify the local economy, leading to growth in industries such as manufacturing and tourism. Today, Phillips County is a vibrant community, proud of its history while embracing a promising future.
Phillips County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Phillips County, Arkansas.
- 1815: Phillips County is established in the Arkansas Territory.
- 1820: Helena becomes the county seat of Phillips County.
- 1861-1865: Phillips County is heavily involved in the Civil War, with battles and skirmishes occurring throughout the area.
- Late 1800s: Helena experiences a period of prosperity due to the timber and cotton industries.
- 1919: Phillips County Race Riot takes place, resulting in the deaths of numerous African Americans.
- 1930-1940s: The Great Depression and decline in agriculture negatively impact Phillips County.
- 1968: The Phillips County Training School in Elaine becomes the center of racial tensions and violence during the Elaine Massacre.