MARKED TREE, ARKANSAS

Nestled in the flat, fertile floodplain of northeastern Arkansas, Marked Tree occupies a unique spot where the St. Francis River converges with the Little River. Incorporated in 1898 and named for two trees that once marked this meeting point of waterways, the city today blends small‑town warmth with the natural beauty of the Delta.

History in Marked Tree is inseparable from its rivers. Steamboats once bore cotton and timber downstream, while levees and flood‑control projects in the twentieth century reshaped the landscape. The town’s storied past emerges at sites like Old St. Francis Levee Park, where interpretive signs recount efforts to tame floodwaters and how local families adapted to the ebb and flow of the rivers.

Today, Marked Tree remains a haven for anglers and waterfowl enthusiasts. The nearby St. Francis Sunken Lands Wildlife Management Area showcases ancient cypress swamps and oxbow lakes—ideal for bass fishing, duck hunting, and birdwatching. In spring and fall migrations, flocks of waterfowl darken the sky, drawing hunters and photographers from across the region.

Downtown, historic brick storefronts house family‑run diners, bait shops, and service businesses. The annual Marked Tree Waterfowl Festival celebrates this heritage each October with guided hunts, sporting clays, live music, and children’s activities, reinforcing the community’s bond with its environment. Local schools, churches, and civic groups—such as the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce—anchor community life, organizing everything from holiday parades to volunteer cleanup days.

Economically, the surrounding alluvial soils keep agriculture at the forefront, with soybeans, rice, and cotton fields stretching to the horizon. Many residents balance farm work with jobs in nearby Jonesboro, Blytheville, and Memphis, leveraging Marked Tree’s quiet pace and central location along U.S. Highway 63.

With its river‑shaped history, outdoor‑oriented lifestyle, and genuine Southern hospitality, Marked Tree invites visitors to explore the rhythms of Delta life and experience a place where nature and community flow together.