Texarkana Texas: It's Twice as Nice!

Located in extreme East Texas, close to Louisiana and Oklahoma, and bordering Arkansas, is the twin-city of Texarkana.

Texarkana is unique in that it straddles two states on either side of State Line Avenue: Texas and Arkansas.

Even its U.S. Post Office downtown has a state line running through the middle of the lobby of the building!

We've spent considerable time in Texarkana over the years, conducting business there, eating in its restaurants, shopping, and passing through on Interstate 30, heading for nearby Hope Arkansas. We have dined at local legends such as Bryce's Cafeteria for literally decades!

Brief Texarkana History

Due its location on U.S. highways 59, 67, 71, and 82, and Interstate Highway I-30, Texarkana has long been an overnight stop for many travelers, and hence there are a considerable number of tourist courts, motels and hotels. It is also a hub for trucking and railroads. Texarkana KOA is nearby for those traveling in RVs and travel trailers.

The Great Southwest Trail, for hundreds of years the main line of travel from Indian villages of the Mississippi River country to those of the South and West, passed by a Caddo Indian village on the site that later became Texarkana. The Texas and Pacific Railway (T&P) Company laid out the Texas side of the town.

Texarkana Economy

In 2011, Texarkana is experiencing significant growth, and the completion of such infrastructure improvements as the Interstate I-30 project are positioning the city for growth into the future.

The on-going construction of the $1.3 billion, coal-fired power generation facility in nearby Fulton has also spurred the economy and created new jobs.

Major medical facilities such as Christus St. Michael and the Wadley Regional Medical Center continue to position Texarkana as the major medical center of the entire multi-state region.

Texarkana's Location in the Multi-State Region

Texarkana is located near Fulton and Ashdown, Arkansas, and Hooks, Mt. Pleasant, and New Boston, Texas.

To the south, in Louisiana, are small towns such as Vivian, Homer, Haynesville, and Cotton Valley, Springhill, and the big cities of Shreveport and Bossier City.

The population of Texarkana was more than 40,000 in the census of 2000. The city uses Area Codes 903 and 870, and Zip Codes 75500-75599 and also 71854.

Texarkana Attractions and Things to Do

Texarkana (TXK) Airport

Texarkana Regional Airport (TXK) is located on the Arkansas side of the city, minutes away from the down town area, local industries, and tourist destinations.

It is easily accessible from Interstate 30, Loop 245, four U.S. Highways and rail service. The airport is open 24-hours daily and is served by American Eagle Airlines. Rental cars are available on the premises. more about the airport

Texas Eagle Rail Service in Texarkana

Texarkana is also connected to the national rail service, Amtrak. Amtrak's Texarkana station is located in the east end of Texarkana Union Station, a historic and imposing buff brick structure which was opened in 1930. Union Station is on the south side of downtown Texarkana. more about Amtrak in Texarkana

Texarkana Weather

Area Attractions in the Ark-La-Tex

While visiting Texarkana, the East Texas area, and southwest Arkansas, you may want to take other interesting side trips:

Other Things to Do While in East Texas

Texarkana Map

Texarkana Historic Postcards

United States Post Office and Court House Texarkana
Hotel Grim Texarkana
Beech Street Baptist Church Texarkana
Bell's Tourist Camp Texarkana
Camp Hannon Texarkana, Texas
Dun Salin' Motel Highway 67 West Texarkana, Texas
The Coffee Cup Highways 67, 71 and 82 Texarkana
The Cotton Belt Hospital, Texarkana More about the Cotton Belt Railroad in Texas and Arkansas

More Information about Texarkana

Texarkana Chamber of Commerce

Texarkana Tourism

City of Texarkana

Texarkana Office of Emergency Management on Twitter