35°43′16″N 90°04′51″W / 35.72111°N 90.08083°W / 35.72111; -90.08083
82-641: West Memphis is the largest city in Crittenden County, Arkansas , United States. The population was 24,520 at the 2020 census , ranking it as the state's 20th largest city. It is part of the Memphis metropolitan area , and is located directly across the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tennessee . Native Americans lived in the Mississippi River Valley for at least 10,000 years, although much of
164-459: A 90-degree change in I-55's direction onto the bridge, have led to more recent traffic problems including a failed TDOT plan that would have required a long-term closure of I-55 and the bridge in order to reconstruct the interchange, as well as lane closures and other issues at the interchange during the 2021 I-40 bridge closure during which this was the only open bridge at Memphis. On August 12, 2012,
246-695: A clinic in West Memphis . A number of private clinics also operate in Marion and West Memphis. Crittenden County is served by the West Memphis Municipal Airport (KAWM), a General Aviation facility with a Control Tower and Instrument Landing capabilities. General DeWitt Spain Airport is a civil aviation airport just north of downtown Memphis . The Memphis International Airport is nearby and provides commercial aviation through numerous carriers and
328-512: A cyclist was killed after being struck by a vehicle when using the shoulder approaching the bridge. On December 23, 2014, numerous news sources reported that the FBI had released an official statement warning local law enforcements of a threat to the bridge during that month. The FBI stated, "according to an anonymous complainant... ISIS instructed an ISIS member, a presumed USPER (U.S. person) in Memphis, with
410-573: A direct order to blow up the Memphis–Arkansas bridge on an unknown date, activating ISIS terror cells in the United States." Security was heightened, but the threat was later discredited. The need to eventually replace the Memphis & Arkansas Bridge has been recognized for some time, due to its age and the fact that it was not designed to withstand a high magnitude earthquake, as well as its violations of Interstate Highway standards. The need for
492-463: A grant under the BIP to replace the Memphis & Arkansas Bridge. Under the terms of the application, TDOT and ARDOT have agreed to each pay for 25% of the total cost of the bridge, which is tentatively expected to cost $ 787.5 million, although the final figure could be higher. On July 12, 2024, a $ 394 million grant was awarded for the replacement. This project, which has been named "America's River Crossing",
574-416: A household in the city was $ 27,399, and the median income for a family was $ 32,465. Males had a median income of $ 29,977 versus $ 21,007 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 13,679. About 23.7% of families and 28.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 40.9% of those under age 18 and 22.3% of those age 65 or over. West Memphis tends to have crime levels considerably above
656-456: A household in the county was $ 30,109, and the median income for a family was $ 34,982. Males had a median income of $ 31,299 versus $ 21,783 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 14,424. About 21.00% of families and 25.30% of the population were below the poverty line , including 35.30% of those under age 18 and 23.70% of those age 65 or over. Public school districts include: Former school districts: The Old Earle High School
738-571: A location across the river from present-day Memphis. In 1797, the Spanish established Campo de la Esperanza, which was a small fort along the Mississippi River. The Spanish abandoned the fort in 1802 and the area took its English translation "Field of Hope", which eventually became known as Hopefield shortly after the United States took possession of the Louisiana Territory . Crittenden County
820-562: A network of low-lying overflow areas and floodplains historically dominated by bald cypress , water tupelo , overcup oak , water hickory , and Nuttall oak forest subject to year-round or seasonal inundation. The Northern Holocene Meander Belts are the flat floodplains and former alignments of the Mississippi River , including levees , oxbow lakes , and point bars . Much of the wetlands and riverine habitat have been drained and developed for agricultural or urban land uses. The Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge , which preserves some of
902-785: A new bridge was once again thrust into the spotlight when the Hernando de Soto Bridge was closed to all traffic between May 11 and August 2, 2021, due to a fracture in the structure. This forced much of the traffic on I-40 to detour across the Memphis & Arkansas Bridge. Later that year, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was enacted by Congress. This legislation includes the Bridge Investment Program (BIP), which provides $ 7.25 billion in federal funding until 2026 for bridge projects costing over $ 100 million. These projects are awarded in competitive grants at 50% of
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#1732852167542984-800: A number of outpatient clinics in Marion and West Memphis and a Pediatric Dental Clinic in cooperation with the UT Dental School . Crittenden Regional Hospital has closed the ER and permanently closed on September 7, 2014. West Memphis & Crittenden County are now served by Baptist Memorial Hospital-Crittenden, an 11-bed, 65,000-square-foot acute care facility. The facility was opened December 13, 2018. Url= https://www.ahd.com/free_profile/040156/Baptist_Memorial_Hospital_-_Crittenden/West_Memphis/Arkansas/#:~:text=This%2011%20Bed%20facility%20opened%20on%20December%2013%2C%202018 . The Arkansas Department of Health operates
1066-531: A port on the Mississippi River. The International Port of Memphis lies just across the Mississippi River via [REDACTED] Interstate 55 . The International Port of Memphis is the 4th largest inland port in the United States. Townships in Arkansas are the divisions of a county. Each township includes unincorporated areas; some may have incorporated cities or towns within part of their boundaries. Arkansas townships have limited purposes in modern times. However,
1148-496: A strengthened levee, the establishment of two lumber operations and the building of two major U.S. highways, the small lumber communities grew rapidly. In 1920 the population was approximately 132 and by 1928, the population had grown to 350. The community incorporated as a city in 1927 with the name West Memphis. Zack T. Bragg, one of the city's founders, was elected as the first mayor and served for three consecutive one year terms. William H. Hundhausen, another founder of West Memphis,
1230-421: A tornado killed six people and caused approximately $ 35 million in damage. The town had not recovered from the tornado damage when it flooded from 12 inches (300 mm) of rain on December 25, 1987. Additionally, 7 to 10 inches (180 to 250 mm) of snow fell on January 6, 1988. When the snow began to melt, this added to the already existing flood problems and the destruction caused by the tornado. Some of
1312-498: A total area of 28.5 square miles (73.9 km), of which 28.5 square miles (73.7 km) is land and 0.077 square miles (0.2 km), or 0.34%, is water. Ecologically, West Memphis is located on the border between the Northern Backswamps (western part of West Memphis) and Northern Holocene Meander Belts (eastern section of West Memphis) ecoregions within the larger Mississippi Alluvial Plain . The Northern Backswamps are
1394-521: Is Arkansas's 12th county, formed October 22, 1825, and named for Robert Crittenden , the first Secretary of the Arkansas Territory . The legislature selected the (now extant) community of Greenock as the first county seat, and court was first held there in the home of William Lloyd in June 1826. Greenock served as the county seat for almost a decade before it the seat was moved to Marion. According to
1476-482: Is a noteworthy component of the city's economy, including Baptist Memorial Hospital – Crittenden, various clinics, medical suppliers, and nursing homes located in town. The city lies at the point where two of the nation's most heavily traveled interstate highways, Interstate 40 and Interstate 55 , intersect with the Mississippi River (a major cargo waterway) and large rail-lines operated by BNSF and Union Pacific . Cable television, internet and digital phone service
1558-462: Is bounded on the east by the Mississippi River and was established in 1825, eleven years before Arkansas became a state. Named after Robert Crittenden , the first secretary of the Arkansas Territory , the county had a population of 1,272 in 1830. Hopefield became the eastern terminal for the Memphis and Little Rock Railroad in 1857. However, the Civil War forced a halt to track construction just east of
1640-676: Is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Crittenden County is served by Arkansas State University Mid-South in West Memphis. The college offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in conjunction with Arkansas State University , The University of Arkansas , The University of Central Arkansas , Arkansas Tech University and Franklin University . Crittenden County was served by 152 Bed Crittenden Regional Hospital in West Memphis until late August 2014. The hospital operated
1722-501: Is located in eastern Crittenden County. It is bordered to the north by the city of Marion . A small piece of West Memphis extends south as far as the Mississippi River , but in most places the river is from 0.2 to 2 miles (0.32 to 3.22 km) south or east of the city limits. Downtown Memphis, Tennessee , is 8 miles (13 km) east of downtown West Memphis. According to the United States Census Bureau , West Memphis has
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#17328521675421804-522: Is offered through Comcast. AT&T provides telephone and internet service. Major operations include distribution centers for retailers such as Family Dollar , Carvana , Bosch Tools and manufacturers such as Stateside Steel & Wire. Continuing nearly $ 40 million in expenditures in West Memphis since 1998, Ciba Specialty Chemicals began construction of a new $ 1.3 million, 7,000-square-foot (650 m) laboratory facility in December 2003, which
1886-606: Is tentatively planned to begin in 2026. Annual average daily traffic (AADT) figures reported by the Tennessee Department of Transportation for 2018, three years before the notable 2021 closure of the I-40 Hernando de Soto Bridge or "new bridge", show that the I-55 "old bridge" carries substantially more vehicles (64,520) than the I-40 bridge (37,308) despite its being older and narrower. Meanwhile, similar figures reported by
1968-426: Is the international cargo hub for FedEx . Union Pacific operates a 600 Acre intermodal facility west of Marion, Arkansas. BNSF Railway also operates a yard in Marion. Limited Passenger Rail is available on Amtrak at Memphis Central Station in nearby Memphis. The City of New Orleans runs twice daily on a north–south route from Chicago to New Orleans . Crittenden County and West Memphis jointly operate
2050-485: The 2000 census , there were 50,866 people, 18,471 households, and 13,373 families living in the county. The population density was 83 inhabitants per square mile (32/km ). There were 20,507 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile (13/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 50.91% White , 47.05% Black or African American , 0.24% Native American , 0.47% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.66% from other races , and 0.64% from two or more races. 1.42% of
2132-470: The Arkansas Department of Transportation for 2020, the year before the I-40 bridge closure, from devices that also measure percentage of truck traffic suggest that though the I-40 bridge had slightly more vehicles (47,000) than the I-55 bridge (45,000), the I-55 bridge actually had a higher percentage of truck traffic (37 percent) than the I-40 bridge (26 percent). The bridge can be seen in scenes of
2214-484: The Arkansas Department of Transportation , of the original wooden viaduct leading from West Memphis to the Harahan Bridge. Most of the 1930 viaduct was reused for the Memphis & Arkansas Bridge until the present I-55 viaduct replaced it in the 1980's; a small portion of that viaduct now serves as the Arkansas entrance to the Harahan Bridge's Big River Crossing (built on one of its former "wagonways"). Planning for
2296-448: The Florida coast, two years earlier. The Spanish expedition departed Arkansas two years later, leaving behind numerous Old World diseases. It was 130 years before Europeans visited this region again. The French expedition of Joliet and Marquette in 1673 found none of the towns or people that the Spanish had documented; all that remained were the many mounds that still dot the landscape along
2378-588: The St. Francis River in 1861. During the summer of 1862, Memphis fell into the hands of the Union forces. Most Confederate soldiers were ferried across the river to Hopefield, Arkansas, and surrounding farms. Many of these soldiers were moved on to other battle fronts, but some remained to harass the Union forces and disrupt river traffic. This became such a problem that on February 19, 1863, four companies of Federal forces burned down
2460-602: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 636 square miles (1,650 km ), of which 610 square miles (1,600 km ) is land and 27 square miles (70 km ) (4.2%) is water. As of the 2020 United States Census , there were 48,163 people, 19,074 households, and 11,964 families residing in the county. As of the 2010 census , there were 50,902 people living in the county. 51.2% were Black or African American , 46.1% White , 0.6% Asian , 0.3% Native American , 0.8% of some other race and 1.1% of two or more races . 2.0% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). As of
2542-487: The United States census does list Arkansas population based on townships (sometimes referred to as "county subdivisions" or "minor civil divisions"). Townships are also of value for historical purposes in terms of genealogical research. Each town or city is within one or more townships in an Arkansas county based on census maps and publications. The townships of Crittenden County are listed below; listed in parentheses are
West Memphis, Arkansas - Misplaced Pages Continue
2624-580: The West Memphis Three and the case brought about a great amount of public intrigue. Four documentaries have been made about the incident, the first being Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills . Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley were released from jail in 2011 after signing an Alford plea , which allowed them to plead guilty while maintaining their innocence. They were released with time served and placed on probation until 2021. West Memphis
2706-535: The census of 2000, there were 27,666 people, 10,051 households, and 7,136 families living in the city. The population density was 1,044.3 inhabitants per square mile (403.2/km). There were 11,022 housing units at an average density of 416.1 per square mile (160.7/km). The racial makeup of the city was 55.93% Black or African American , 42.16% White , 0.21% Native American , 0.53% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.51% from other races , and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.01% of
2788-423: The "Old Bridge" to distinguish it from the "New Bridge", or Hernando de Soto Bridge , upstream. The Memphis & Arkansas Bridge also carries U.S. Route 61 (US 61), US 64 , US 70 , US 78 , and US 79 from Memphis to West Memphis; it also carried US 63 prior to its truncation (and later rerouting) in Arkansas. The western terminus of Tennessee State Route 1 (SR 1) sits on
2870-525: The "crossroads of America" in the trucking industry. In 1973, a six-lane highway bridge, known as the Hernando de Soto Bridge and located north of the Harahan, opened as part of I-40. In 1980, Leo Chitman was elected as the city's first African American mayor. Current mayor Marco McClendon, who became the youngest West Memphis Mayor to be sworn into office in 2019, is African American as well. On December 14, 1987,
2952-406: The 1990s, Southland Greyhound Park , one of West Memphis' largest employers, saw its attendance and revenues decline drastically, with a corresponding economic impact on both the town and state. This was largely attributed to the rise of casino gambling in nearby Tunica, Mississippi . By 2002, Southland struggled to survive. Following an estimated $ 40 million investment by the park's owner and
3034-507: The Bolz Slack Barrell Cooperage plant located at the southern end of present-day 8th Street in West Memphis. The Bolz Cooperage, which was a stave mill, purchased a great quantity of acreage for its lumber operation. Within a short time of the mill's beginning, a small community developed. In 1917, highways 70 and 61 were established and clearing began through the future West Memphis. With the threat of river flooding diminished by
3116-547: The Hopefield (Crittenden County) area and to William McKenney in the Bridgeport-West Memphis area. In the summer of 1541, Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto crossed the Mississippi River into what is now Crittenden County with an army of over 300 conquistadors and almost as many captured Native American slaves. The Spanish found the land to be the most densely populated that they had seen since starting their journey on
3198-536: The Memphis/West Memphis area created the need for lodging and other services. Construction in 1949 of a second automobile bridge across the Mississippi, connecting Memphis and West Memphis, created another influx of automobile traffic. The buildings in the 700, 800 and 900 blocks of East Broadway reflect the growth of the city of West Memphis in the years 1930 to 1958. Until the national interstate highway system
3280-469: The Mississippi River flood plain in the 1890s. The entire area usually flooded in the spring until the St. Francis Levee District was established in 1893. However, private landowners along the Mississippi River built levees that were only three or four feet high. In 1912 and 1913, the St. Francis main levee broke, flooding the area from the Mississippi River to Forrest City in St. Francis County . The flood of 1913
3362-716: The Square Deal Café on South 16th Street) and Elvis Presley (who ate his first breakfast after being inducted into the U.S. Army at the Coffee Cup on East Broadway on March 24, 1958). Other night spots along Broadway Street included Willowdale Inn, the Cotton Club, and the Plantation Inn. Legal greyhound racing began in the county in 1935. In the years that followed, the track closed several times—once for flooding, another due to World War II, and another time due to fire. However,
West Memphis, Arkansas - Misplaced Pages Continue
3444-543: The Tennessee side, but give way to grassy slopes on the shoulders of I-55 on the Arkansas side. The sidewalk and bridge is listed as part of the Mississippi River Trail . However, travel is not recommended across the sidewalk and is prohibited on the vehicle traffic lanes of the bridge, as the structure is an Interstate Highway crossing. In 2016, a pedestrian/bicycle path on the neighboring Harahan Bridge made crossing
3526-533: The Tennessee–Arkansas boundary halfway across the bridge. Opened in 1949, the bridge is currently the oldest bridge on the Interstate Highway System in Tennessee and Arkansas. It is currently planned to be replaced with a larger and wider bridge, starting in 2026. The bridge consists of five Warren through trusses, each with a length of 790 feet (240 m). Combined with the approach segments,
3608-561: The West Memphis Commercial Historic District remain much as they appeared in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, the remainder of the city's major traffic corridor, Broadway Avenue, has changed significantly. In the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, 8th Street was often called " Beale Street West", reflecting a music and nightlife scene to equal that in Memphis. Some places in West Memphis have been associated with entertainers such as B.B. King (who began his public entertaining at
3690-610: The addition since 2006 of electronic games of skill and video poker machines, Southland has added more than 300 new employees, making it the third largest employer in West Memphis with 660 employees. Most of West Memphis is served by the West Memphis School District while a portion of the city of West Memphis is located within the Marion Public School District . West Memphis district schools: Marion district schools: From 1951 until its closure in 2014,
3772-550: The area near West Memphis. Among those explorers were Hernando de Soto and his men from Spain and Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet from France. By the time French hunters and explorers entered the region, the Mississippian towns and other settlements had been abandoned. The original site of West Memphis came from Spanish land grants issued during the 1790s. Grants were given to Benjamin Fooy, John Henry Fooy, and Isaac Fooy in
3854-488: The area. U.S. Highway 61, named Missouri Street in West Memphis, was constructed at the same time and its juncture with Highway 70 would become the epicenter of downtown West Memphis. West Memphis was officially incorporated in 1927 and continued to grow to become the largest city in Crittenden County. The availability of river and rail transportation transformed West Memphis into the manufacturing and distribution hub of
3936-504: The bridge's total length is 5,222 feet (1,592 m). Completed in 1949, it is the only bridge spanning the Mississippi River designed to carry exclusively vehicular traffic that was built before 1950. It was designed by Modjeski and Masters, successors to the firm that designed the Harahan Bridge , built in 1916 to carry vehicular and rail traffic. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. Built before
4018-406: The business currently known as Southland Park Gaming & Racing on North Ingram Boulevard has been in the same location since 1956 and is now open every day of the week, including 24 hours on weekends. West Memphis began its role as a trucking hub with the opening of parts of Interstate 55 in the 1950s. With both I-55 and I-40 traveling toward the Mississippi River, West Memphis became known as
4100-615: The cities, towns, and/or census-designated places that are fully or partially inside the township. Memphis %26 Arkansas Bridge The Memphis & Arkansas Bridge , also known as the Memphis–Arkansas Bridge or inaccurately as the Memphis–Arkansas Memorial Bridge , is a cantilevered through truss bridge carrying Interstate 55 across the Mississippi River between West Memphis, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee . Memphians refer to this bridge as
4182-502: The city's main commercial thoroughfare, Broadway Avenue, was instigated by the increased traffic and by demand for the industrial products produced and shipped through West Memphis by rail and river. Tourist courts , restaurants, hotels and other amenities geared toward the traveler were constructed along the traffic corridor through West Memphis. During the World War II years, transportation of soldiers and goods by road, river, and rail in
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#17328521675424264-402: The community was served by Crittenden Regional Hospital, a 152-bed JCAHO Accredited facility. Memphis-based Baptist Memorial Health System opened Baptist Memorial Hospital–Crittenden, an 11-bed facility focusing on acute care, in December 2018. Crittenden County, Arkansas Crittenden County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas . As of the 2020 census , the population
4346-473: The county. In the 1930s West Memphis, along with the rest of the Mississippi Delta, suffered due to the economic depression. However, the city grew and developed at a record pace. The most notable export of West Memphis from that era was its original blues music. At one time Sonny Boy Williamson , Howlin' Wolf , Robert Lockwood, Jr. , and B.B. King lived in West Memphis. The growth and development of
4428-476: The early 1880s was given the name West Memphis. This small settlement, located directly south of the present day Memphis & Arkansas Bridge , never incorporated and died out shortly after ferry traffic ceased due to the completion of the Frisco Bridge across the Mississippi River in 1892. In addition to its lost ferry operations, this area, in the same fashion as its northern neighbor Hopefield, became part of
4510-491: The entire town. The town of Hopefield was rebuilt after the war but never regained the prominence it once held in Crittenden County. After the St. Francis Levee District began the levee system in the Arkansas Delta during the 1890s, what little remained of Hopefield became part of the Mississippi River flood plain and was washed away. An early settlement that was established for ferry operations between Memphis and Arkansas in
4592-454: The established navigation channel beneath them. Construction on the bridge began on September 12, 1945, and the bridge opened to traffic on December 17, 1949. Though Crump Boulevard was originally intended to serve as the main access to the bridge from Memphis, TDOT replaced the west end of Crump Boulevard with a stretch of I-55 in the late 1960's. The issues resulting from the cloverleaf interchange at I-55 and Crump, required to accommodate
4674-485: The evidence of their presence has been buried or destroyed. The people of the Mississippian Period were the last indigenous inhabitants of the West Memphis area. Mound City Road, located within the eastern portion of the West Memphis city limits, has a marker indicating that the villages of Aquixo (Aquijo) or Pacaha were in the area. Several mounds are still visible. Explorers from both Spain and France visited
4756-419: The firm founded by Ralph Modjeski who designed the Harahan Bridge in 1916 and helped design the area's original Frisco Bridge in 1892, to prepare plans for this bridge even though Modjeski himself died in 1940. Though truss bridges increasingly fell out of fashion after World War II , this bridge's truss design, especially its main span, was largely dictated by the neighboring Frisco & Harahan Bridges and
4838-459: The introduction of the Interstate Highway System , the span was not built to Interstate Highway standards ; it originally lacked the concrete barrier between the different directions of traffic which, was added later. It was also built with a sidewalk on either side of the roadway, positioned just outside the steel truss girders. The sidewalks, now also separated from the traffic lanes by concrete barriers, are accessible from Memphis city sidewalks on
4920-586: The major employers in the city are Schneider National Carriers, Southland Park Gaming & Racing, Family Dollar Distribution, FedEx National LTL, and Robert Bosch Power Tools. Family Dollar Distribution and FedEx National LTL are located in the Mid-America Industrial Park west of the city. The 1993 murders of three young boys and the subsequent convictions of Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley, Jr. brought much unwanted attention to West Memphis. The three young men convicted were known as
5002-449: The national average. For the year of 2006, the violent crime index was 1989.3 violent crimes committed per 100,000 residents. The national average was 553.5 crimes committed per 100,000 residents. For 2008, the total murder risk for the city was over two and a half times the United States average, the same applied when compared to the Arkansas state average. Other forms of crime were roughly
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#17328521675425084-511: The new bridge began in 1939 with the creation of a joint Memphis-Arkansas bridge commission headed by longtime Memphis political boss E. H. Crump . Walter Chandler , another notable Tennessee politician who was a member of the Crump machine at that time, also served on the bridge commission. Simultaneously with the bridge, Crump planned a new bypass street leading to the bridge, avoiding both downtown Memphis and historic African American neighborhoods to
5166-442: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 18,471 households, out of which 37.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.80% were married couples living together, 21.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 23.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
5248-445: The population. There were 10,051 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 25.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. There were 553 unmarried partner households: 475 of both sexes, 52 same-sex male, and 26 same-sex female. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who
5330-513: The rapid growth of the city that grew from thick forests and swamps earlier in the 20th century, West Memphis was nicknamed the "Wonder City" in the mid-1930s. The first automobiles began crossing the Mississippi River at Memphis in 1917 by special roadways constructed on the Harahan Bridge , which was built for rail traffic and opened in 1916. This heralded the growth of the future West Memphis as its main street, U.S. Highway 70, known as Broadway Avenue, brought an influx of automobile traffic through
5412-469: The river safer and eliminated the need to use the I-55 bridge. Despite common references to this bridge as a "Memorial Bridge", most likely resulting from its opening shortly after World War II, there is no evidence that this bridge was ever intended to be a memorial to anything. There is no mention of any memorial intent on the bridge's nameplates, including a dedicatory poem on one nameplate (officially attributed to Walter Chandler) that appears to focus on
5494-407: The rivers and creeks. The original inhabitants, like the later settlers, were drawn to this region because of its fertile river bottom soil, abundant game, and thick forest. The earliest recorded immigrant to the area was Benjamin Fooy, a native of Holland , who was sent in 1795 by the Spanish governor of the large area claimed by Spain to establish a settlement on the Mississippi River . He chose
5576-505: The same with the exception of larceny which was slightly above the national average. While the crime within West Memphis is typically high, it is relatively average when compared with its far larger neighbor Memphis , the same applies to other cities throughout the same region of the South. Primarily because of its central location and transportation infrastructure, West Memphis has become a hub for distribution and assembly operations. Healthcare
5658-472: The season of the year. Broadway Boulevard is the downtown district for the city of West Memphis. This downtown area has more than 84 stores and restaurants lining the street. Broadway also hosts blues singers and events in the city's "Blues on Broadway". West Memphis is one of only two cities in Arkansas (along with Hot Springs ) with a venue for parimutuel gambling , antedating the casino developments in nearby Tunica County, Mississippi , by many years. In
5740-492: The single-lane cantilevered "wagonways" of the Harahan Bridge from its opening in 1916 all the way to this bridge's opening in 1949. This increased traffic led to the incorporation of West Memphis, Arkansas in 1927 where the Arkansas roadways leading to the Harahan Bridge came together, as well as the 1930 replacement by the Arkansas State Highway Commission (ASHC), the modern-day version of which oversees
5822-504: The south, which came to be known as Crump Boulevard. Aretha Franklin was born on Lucy Avenue, in just such a neighborhood south of Crump Boulevard, in 1942 before moving eventually to Detroit where she became famous as the Queen of Soul. By May 1944, the ASHC and Tennessee's Department of Highway and Public Works (now the Tennessee Department of Transportation or TDOT) hired Modjeski and Masters,
5904-462: The timbering rights to thousands of acres of adjacent land clearing the area that eventually gave way to fertile farmland and to the future West Memphis. The area around Bragg's Mill was known for the first few years as Bragg, Arkansas. The small community consisted of the mill, a commissary and boarding house, and a few dozen dwellings for workers. In 1914, another operation began two miles south of Bragg's Mill when William H. Hundhausen began plans for
5986-526: The total cost. On April 17, 2023, Governor Bill Lee signed into law the Transportation Modernization Act, which provides increased funding for highway projects in Tennessee. Six months later TDOT and ARDOT completed a study on the possibility of a new bridge in Memphis, which found that replacing the Memphis & Arkansas bridge would be the most cost-effective option. On December 4, 2023, TDOT and ARDOT jointly submitted an application for
6068-428: The traffic expected to cross the bridge rather than any memorial. (This is in contrast to the Harahan Bridge, which was named for a railroad executive who died in an accident during the bridge's construction.) Crump himself, for whom the boulevard originally leading to the bridge was named, lived until 1954; Chandler lived until 1967. The Memphis & Arkansas Bridge was inspired by the ever increasing flow of traffic on
6150-583: The year-round flooded bald cypress forest typical of this ecoregion prior to development for row agriculture lies north of West Memphis. As of the 2020 United States Census , there were 24,520 people, 9,939 households, and 5,964 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States Census , there were 26,245 people living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 63.3% Black, 33.7% White, 0.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, <0.0% from some other race and 0.8% from two or more races. 1.6% were Hispanic or Latino of any race. As of
6232-399: Was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.23. In the county, the population was spread out, with 31.10% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 29.10% from 25 to 44, 20.50% from 45 to 64, and 9.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 91.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.00 males. The median income for
6314-435: Was 48,163. The county seat is Marion , and the largest city is West Memphis . Crittenden County is part of the Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metropolitan Statistical Area . Most of the county's media comes from Memphis, although some Little Rock TV ( Arkansas Educational Television Network , KATV ) is imported by Comcast Cable. It lies within Arkansas's 1st congressional district . Located in the Arkansas Delta , Crittenden County
6396-449: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.23. In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.5% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.9 males. The median income for
6478-527: Was completed in June 2004. Public parks in the area include Franklin Park, Grimsley Park, Hicks Park, Hightower Park, Horton Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Matthews Park, Rowe Park, Tenth Street Park, Tilden Rodgers Sports Complex and Worthington Park. The West Memphis Gateway serves as the main entrance to the city of West Memphis. The LED lighting for the overpass support beams light at night according to
6560-442: Was elected as its third mayor and served from 1932 to 1944. The construction of the railroads, the establishment of lumber operations and the construction of two new U.S. highways fueled the growth of West Memphis. In 1930, the population reached 895. By 1940, the population grew to 2,225 and by the 1950 census , the population had more than quadrupled in size to 9,112, making West Memphis the fastest growing city in Arkansas. Due to
6642-427: Was opened in the late 1950s, diverting traffic away from former routes through the middle of America's towns, West Memphis' Broadway Avenue was the city's center of commerce, with retail stores, tourist courts and hotels and office buildings. Decline of Broadway Avenue was rapid after the traffic through the town diminished with the opening of the interstate highways. Although the three blocks of East Broadway contained in
6724-407: Was the last time the levee broke in Crittenden County. After the levee system was built and strengthened, Zack T. Bragg , a lumberman who had been logging in St. Francis County since 1905, purchased 300 acres of virgin timber and established a sawmill in 1914. The mill was located along a railroad spur and a dirt path that would eventually become Missouri Street in West Memphis. Bragg also acquired
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