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Crittenden County, Arkansas

81 topographic sheets cover 83 settlements here, and 17 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

17 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Arkansas within the United States
Crittenden County within Arkansas

What the record shows

  • 1,179 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 17 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 12 buildings, 2 structures, 1 site, 1 object and 1 district.
  • 1 of the 17 listings was added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 83 populated places in this county; 83 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

17

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Crittenden County Bank and Trust Companybuilding198484000662
Crittenden County Courthousebuilding197777000251
Dabbs Storebuilding198282002112
Earle High School, Oldbuilding200303000956
Hamilton Apartmentsbuilding199898000618
Highway A-7, Gilmore to Turrellstructure200909000313
Johnson-Portis Housebuilding2017100001648
Lawrie Housebuilding199696000330
Marion Colored High Schoolbuilding199595000349
Memphis and Arkansas Bridgestructure200101000139
Missouri Pacific Depotbuilding198686000383
Riverside Speedwaysite201009001243
Turrell City Hall, Oldbuilding200707000962
George Berry Washington Memorialobject199494000824
West Memphis City Hallbuilding201010000444
West Memphis Commercial Historic Districtdistrict200808000704
Wilson Power and Light Company Ice Plantbuilding201009001244

Wildfire, 1993 to 2017

17 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 17 of them, burning about 137 acres. None started naturally and 3 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning5
Missing data/not specified/undetermined4
Arson/incendiarism3
Equipment and vehicle use3
Recreation and ceremony1
Smoking1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. Two of them were set deliberately.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
29 January 2015Debris and open burning38 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
27 February 2004Arson/incendiarism20 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
18 November 2017Missing data/not specified/undetermined20 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
4 March 1999Arson/incendiarism12 acresWapanocca National Wildlife RefugeWAP 1
7 June 1999Debris and open burning10 acresWapanocca National Wildlife RefugeWAP 2
5 March 1994Equipment and vehicle use9.5 acresCentral Arkansas Refuges ComplexWAP 1
16 December 2017Recreation and ceremony6.0 acresCache River National Wildlife RefugeAUGUSTA CAMP ROAD
8 August 1996Debris and open burning5.4 acresWapanocca National Wildlife RefugeNEW SHOP

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1960 to 2026

60 of 320 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 320 reports for this county, causing 6 deaths, 135 injuries and about $45,455,030 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind163
Hail101
Flash Flood25
Tornado21
Flood6
Lightning4

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
December 1987Tornado (F3)not stated6 killed, 100 hurt, $25,000,000no account filed
April 1968Tornado (F2)not stated15 hurt, $25,000no account filed
May 2008Tornado (EF3)Earle Mcneely Arpt4 hurt, $2,000,000A tornado tracked northeast into Crittenden County from Cross County. The tornado produced a nearly continuous 12 mile track from the county line to Heafer. After crossing into Crittenden County, the tornado struck the town of Earle and produced extensive EF-3 damage. The tornado severely damaged a high school, a church and a number of homes. A large warehouse was also struck and sustained extensive damage. Additional significant damage to other structures occurred between Earle and Heafer. There were 4 serious injuries and several minor injuries reported in Earle. As the tornado moved into Heafer, the tornado produced EF-2 damage. Significant damage occurred to a number of homes in Heafer. Two mobile homes were destroyed as well. Several trees and power lines were also knocked down. The tornado continued to produce intermittent EF-0 damage as it moved out of Heafer and moved northeast between the towns of Gilmore and Turrell, eventually crossing into Mississippi County.
February 1965Tornado (F2)not stated3 hurt, $250,000no account filed
October 2007Thunderstorm WindProctor3 hurt, $125,000Straight line winds blew a metal roof off a building in Proctor. Over much of Edmondson, straight line winds were estimated between 50 and 70 mph with isolated speeds of 80 to 100 mph. This resulted in the destruction to several mobile homes and significant damage to other homes and buildings.
June 2013LightningWimef3 hurtThree teenagers were struck by lightning on Oxford Street in West Memphis. All three were injured.
November 1994Tornado (F1)West Memphis2 hurt, $5,000,000An F1 tornado touched down in the city of West Memphis. The tornado remained on the ground for 5 miles before lifting. The tornado damaged 27 homes and 9 apartment buildings containing 66 units. Two people residing in the apartment complex received minor injuries. Forty-three businesses were damaged, 17 of these were declared uninhabitable. Large utility poles were snapped and numerous power lines were knocked down. Several cars were also damaged.
May 1978Tornado (F0)not stated2 hurt, $25,000no account filed
July 2003Thunderstorm WindCountywide1 hurt, $100,000About 20 mobile homes were damaged. Several boat houses and a grain elevator were damaged in Horseshoe Lake. Five tractor trailers were blown over. Numerous trees were blown down with some of the trees falling on houses.
February 1999Thunderstorm WindEarle1 hurt, $15,000Several trees and power poles were knocked down. One tree fell in the middle of a house injuring one person and trapping a second person in bed.
August 1986Thunderstorm Windnot stated1 hurtno account filed
May 2010Flash FloodWest Memphis$7,500,000Heavy rain, up to 10 inches, fell across the West Memphis and Marion area. Numerous streets and roads were flooded. At least 101 homes sustained at least minor damage from the flooding.
March 2018FloodCloar$1,000,000Heavy rainfall caused the Tyronza River to flood in Earle. Residents were evacuated from a neighborhood with 20 homes.
November 2002Tornado (F2)Earle$600,000The tornado moved into Crittenden county from Cross county and continued to move northeast. The tornado produced some damage near the town of Heafer. A mobile home and 2 farm shops were destroyed. A church and parsonage, three mobile homes and five houses were also damaged. The tornado then continued across the county and reached the town of Gilmore. Fourteen mobile homes were destroyed or suffered major damage. Nineteen houses and several cars were also damaged. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down across the county. The tornado eventually moved out of the county near Menesha and entered Mississippi county.
June 2014Flash Flood(Awm)West Memphis Ar$500,000Heavy rain across the southwest sections of West Memphis forced the evaculationa of some homes due to high water.
May 2011Tornado (EF1)Wimef$500,000A tornado touched down in West Memphis and a large storage building received major roof damage with numerous contents removed and a few walls crippled. A mobile home received extensive damage and a tree fell on one residence. A few other tree limbs were snapped and a power pole was knocked down just east of the intersection of Highway 70 and Club Road. The estimated peak wind was 90 mph.
May 2011FloodBruins$500,000The Mississippi River rose to record levels by the beginning and middle part of May. Levees held back the water thus only a few homes along the river were flooded and sustained damage. Several thousand acres of agriculture fields were flooded. Several roads were flooded and/or damaged. The river remained above flood stage through the end of the month.
November 1994Tornado (F1)Proctor$500,000An F1 tornado touched down near Proctor and travelled on the ground for 3 miles before lifting. A mobile home was destroyed and its roof was blown onto the highway. Several other homes and buildings in the area sustained mostly minor roof damage. Several large utility poles were snapped in half about 6 to 10 feet above the ground.
March 2023Tornado (EF2)Cloar$250,000The tornado that caused EF-3 damage in Wynne, Arkansas moved into Crittenden County just north of Earle causing EF-2 damage along Watson Road. Between Earle, AR, and the Mississippi River, very few damage indicators aided in the observed strength as it traversed mostly farmland. There were between 20 to 30 center pivot irrigation systems that were overturned along this area. The tornado then tracked into the oxbows of the Mississippi River while crossing into Tipton County. Peak winds were estimated at 125 mph in Crittenden County.
May 2017Thunderstorm WindMarion$150,000Tree fell on a house in Marion. Trees and powerlines down county wide.
June 2013LightningWest Memphis$150,000A lightning strike caused a fire at an apartment complex on West Harrison Street in West Memphis. The fire caused extensive damage.
May 2017Thunderstorm WindCrawfordsville$100,000A large tree fell on two mobile homes in Crawfordsville. One minor injury occurred. A farm building was pushed off it's slab on Highway 50.
April 2006HailCrawfordsville$100,000Numerous cars were damaged by the hail.
April 2025Tornado (EF1)Earle Mcneely Arpt$75,000The tornado moved northeast, overturning a couple of center irrigation pivots east of Smithdale Corner Road, crossing the railroad tracks near Dixie Park Road. The tornado intensified as it crossed US Highway 64, snapping several utility poles and producing significant tree damage on Gaskill Road. Additional tree damage was observed along State Highway 184, with tree damage quickly becoming more sporadic as the tornado lifted east of County Road 36. Estimated peak winds were 105 mph in Crittenden County.
April 2008Thunderstorm WindGalilee$70,000Straight line winds destroyed a trailer and a grain bin near the intersection of Highway 118 and Marlin Swamp Road. In addition, roofs were blown off of two shops in the area as well.
June 2013Thunderstorm WindClarkedale$60,000Straight line winds broke up a large pivot irrigation system near mile marker 17 on Interstate 55 near Jericho. In Jericho, a big oak tree fell on a SUV.
May 2017Thunderstorm WindBlanton$50,000Damage to casino.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindSeyppel$40,000Severe roof damage to a home on Northwood Dr with part of the roof collapsing into the home. Several other homes experienced roof damage with several trees down across the area.
July 2013Thunderstorm WindCrawfordsville$32,000Straight line winds knocked a large tree on a car in Crawfordsville. In addition, a tree fell down on Highway 64 near Ebony.
May 1995HailTurrell$30,000The town's high school had many of its windows broken by the hail. Numerous cars were damaged with one car totally destroyed.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindLambethville$25,000Trees were uprooted and a roof was blown off a structure.
May 2018Thunderstorm WindEarle$25,000Several trees down on power lines. Shed blown over. Eighteen wheeler blown over on Highway 64 going into Earle.
April 2008Flash FloodWest Memphis$25,000Heavy rain produced flash flooding in West Memphis at the intersection of Barton Street and 7th Street. A total of five cars were stalled in the flooded intersection as a result.
April 2006Tornado (F3)Jeanette$25,000The tornado continued east from Cross County lifting 4 miles west of Crawfordsville. Two commercial buildings had minor damage. The tornado produced F0 damage while in Crittenden County.
May 2003Flash FloodCountywide$25,000A church was flooded in Earle. Several homes were flooded in the county forcing sixty residents to evacuate their homes. A section of Interstate 55 was closed due to flooding. Numerous roads across the county were also flooded. Many fields were flooded.
April 2001Thunderstorm WindEarle$25,000A roof was blown off of a clinic. Several signs were knocked down. Several houses had trees on top of them with one house receiving major damage.
June 1989Tornado (F0)not stated$25,000no account filed
May 1985Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
April 1975Tornado (F2)not stated$25,000no account filed
July 2023Thunderstorm WindGavin$20,000Powerlines were knocked down and power poles were snapped in the Marion High School area.
April 2006HailWest Memphis$17,000no account filed
April 2025Tornado (EF0)Dixie$15,000The tornado crossed into Crittenden County and continued moving northeast, knocking down a few power poles and trees near the intersection of County Road 1005 and Highway 149, lifting just west of the Jeanette community. Peak winds were estimated to be 85 mph.
March 2023Tornado (EF2)Lambethville$15,000The tornado that tracked through Wynne, Arkansas eventually moved from through the oxbows of the Mississippi River crossing between Tennessee and Arkansas a couple of times. Significant tree damage along the Mississippi River occurred.
May 2020Thunderstorm WindJames Mill$15,000A camper was flipped over near mile marker 12 on Interstate 55.
July 2005Thunderstorm WindWest Memphis$15,000A fireworks stand was destroyed.
July 2004Thunderstorm WindMarion$15,000The roof of the car wash at a convenience store was blown off and landed against a house. Some power lines and tree were knocked down.
March 2026Thunderstorm WindBlanton$10,000Roof damage to a casino.
April 2025Thunderstorm WindEarle$10,000A mobile home was pushed off block piers due to straight-line winds.
May 2003Thunderstorm WindCrawfordsville$10,000Some trees and power lines were knocked down.
May 2003Thunderstorm WindJericho$10,000Several trees and power lines were blown down.
May 2003Thunderstorm WindPinckney$10,000Some trees and power lines were knocked down.
May 2003Thunderstorm WindHorseshoe Lake$10,000Several trees and power lines were blown down.
December 2002Flash FloodCountywide$10,000Flood water reached up to several houses. Several roads were flooded.
June 2002Thunderstorm WindWest Memphis$10,000Some trees and power lines were blown down.
August 2000Thunderstorm WindEdmondson$10,000Several trees and power lines were blown down.
May 1999LightningCrawfordsville$10,000A house was damaged by a fire started by lightning.
July 1998LightningMarion$10,000Three homes and one business caught on fire due to lightning strikes.
January 1996Thunderstorm WindWest Memphis$10,000no account filed
April 2025Thunderstorm WindWest Memphis$5,000A gas station awning collapsed.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindClarkedale$5,000Powerpoles down.

Mines and quarries

11 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 11 workings inside this county. 6 still produce and 5 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction9
Gypsum-Anhydrite1
Clay1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Temple Gypsum MillGypsum-AnhydriteProducer
West Memphis Pit & PlantClayProducer
CarterSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Mauldin PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Morrison PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Rosebud IslandSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Turbyfill PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
UnkSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnkSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionUnknown
Weeks PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer

Every populated place in the county

83

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

The vanished settlements of Crittenden County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.