Ten Interesting Facts about Texarkana

Texarkana, where borders vanish and surprises pop up!

Texarkana is one of the intriguing cities that feels like a riddle! This twin city has two identities and countless interesting stories waiting to be told. Located right on the line where Texas and Arkansas meet, it’s a kind of place where a single step can make you cross borders legally, where legend lingers in old railroad tracks, and where small town charm meets unique surprises. With such a unique background, it's fair to assume that this place holds more secrets and unknown facts that people know, and that's why we have curated a detailed list of fascinating Texarkana facts that make this place interesting. 

One of the most iconic things about Texarkana is that it has a post office and a federal building located right on the state line. They were built in 1933 and are also the only US post office that is shared between two states. People usually visit this spot to take pictures with the state line and see how the building operates. 

Many people ask, How did Texarkana get its name, and the answer is never simple, thanks to multiple stories spread by the locals. The most popular and obvious one is the name derived from Texas and Arkansas. The other says that it came from a steamboat named Texarkana on the Red River. The third one says that a store owner names it after a popular drink, “Texarkana bitters”. 

Texarkana is not just borders, a post office, and natural beauty; it has a popular stage presence too! In 1954, a young Elvis Presley performed at the Texarkana Municipal Auditorium located on the Arkansas side, followed by Sun Records stars such as Johnny Cash's performance, which gained immense popularity. These shows become an example that even smaller cities can have a great music culture and history. 

The annual fair and rodeo in the region that we all know of goes way back. The original “Four States Rodeo” started back in 1944, and a year later, it evolved into what is now the Four States Fair & Rodeo, held on the Arkansas side next to Bobby Ferguson Park. It’s a very popular tradition that underscores the region’s agricultural and ranching heritage, and not many people know about it.

In the late 19th century, Texarkana built a proper railroad junction and an industrial center. It is known that the firm Offenhauser & Co. was founded in 1882 when Texarkana was popularly known as the railroad town, which tells that this city has its main roots tied to transport, timber, lumber, and industry, not just some borderlines and small town charm. 

The well-known landmark of Texarkana, The Perot Theater, originally known as the Saenger Theater, was restored and reopened to the public in 1981 after years of neglect and decline. Today, it is named in the National Register of Historic Places, labeled as a place of cultural revival, blending history, architecture, and modern arts. 

Texarkana has a diverse economy that includes major industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and education. The city is home to several higher education institutions, including Texas A&M University-Texarkana and Texarkana College. These educational institutions contribute to the intellectual and cultural growth of the community, giving the USA talented individuals.

Not many people know that their beloved drink, Dr Pepper, was made in Texarkana. Texarkana is the birthplace of this famous drink and was first created by Charles Alderton, a pharmacist, in Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in downtown Texarkana.

Unfortunately, Texarkana also gained immense attention in the 1940s due to the unsolved murders committed by an unknown assailant known as the "Phantom Killer." The case still remains one of the most intriguing mysteries in American criminal history, with no answers yet.

Texarkana is known for its beautiful fireworks as well. The city hosts an annual event known as "Twice as Nice Fireworks" that offers a stunning synchronized fireworks show. It combines two displays, one from Texas and the other from Arkansas, simultaneously, symbolizing the city's dual-state identity.

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