A Walking Tour of Old Texarkana

[blansing908]

I know some of you remember Gladys Mitchel and her girls who used to have the big (house) right off of the viaduct. I can remember the cops chasing me and some friends over the viaduct, and getting out shooting.We were in a 1955 crown victoria . the hood blew up and broke off, and was throwing sparks way into the air. we all were taken to jail, but only 2 were locked up. fireworks, and liquor on one side and not the other. Union station and the walkway you could go on to view the trains

[ASACurator]

That is the J.A. Buchanan Home. He was the founder of Buchanan Bottling in Texarkana which distributes Coca-Cola and Dr. Pepper in the Ark-La-Tex.

[ca13814]

whats the name of the house at 1:20 ?

[MrGrumpyin2010]

I saw Elvis behind one of those trees.

[motoandsk8]

who is that at 0:29

[ASACurator]

The King of Ragtime, Scott Joplin. Author of "Maple Leaf Rag". He was also a native of Texarkana.

[MrGrumpyOldMan]

the old Texas Viaduct. Many memories of walking over that thing every Saturday afternoon. I wish I had more photos of it to show my kids. They don't believe it was made out of wood. Great Video. I like the one with the mule in texas and the man in Arkansas. He was saying

" I am in Arkansas, but my ass is in Texas". lol

[ASACurator]

I too remember the old viaduct, although I was just a small child when they tore it down...it was indeed made of wood! Shortly before they closed it to be demolished, My dad and I walked over it, and I remember it was rather scary. He also told me the story of walking over it many times as a kid himself.

[MrGrumpyOldMan]

Yea, I not only walked over it many, many times, but as I got older and started driving I remember driving over it also. It would "creek" and go "thud" , making me wonder if I was going to fall through and that hairpin turn at the end would drive me crazy.

Also, I have an old photo of the old Index draw bridge just outside of Texarkana on Hwy 71 going to Ashdown. I may post that on my youtube page. I remember it was just wide enough for two cars to pass each other.

[ca13814]

@MrGrumpyOldMan whats the texarkana viaduct?

[MrOnrust]

man, i fell in love with your town this summer..............im back in phoenix and miss you all.

dont let your downtown crumble.please!

ps. donate to i love evelyn @ 300 w. broad

[ASACurator]

There is thakfully, a HUGE backing of public support to save our downtown area & the historic buildings that remain. Unfortunately, last month there was a fire down on Broad Street which sadly claimed two more of these structures. I am also one of the main people pushing to save and restore the Historic Hotel Grim which you can see in the video at 1:38 during it's heyday in 1926 and what it looks like now, standing vacant. Thanks for your comments, and ya'll come back to see us!

[aaronkid67]

@ASACurator Why not fix up grim hotel



[ASACurator]

@aaronkid67 There has a push here in town to fix up the Grim Hotel, and the downtown revitalization committee has been "talking" about it for several years...Sadly, that's all it has been so far - just talk!

[wildboys76]

Love texarkana, did u took these pics? I love to be able to have some of them.

[ASACurator]

Own some of them, others were copies loaned to me for the project.

[MrLevi29]

texarkana kicks ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ASACurator]

You Bet it Does!!! :-)

I'm one of the few here who still have "Hometown Pride"

[wildboys76]

Is there a way u could e-mailed the pic u have of Texarkana?

[ttowngman]

that was good check out my video i was in side the grim hotel last week my boy took pictures i like checking out old places

[ChaseL23]

Cool little video. It was neat seein' some of those places back in the day. TK is a great place

[Bansheeeyes78]

I live here and love the history behind this little town. Thanks for this:)

[CyKoPathiK12]

the phantom killer too?

[Bansheeeyes78]

Yep. My grandfather and aunt both saw the first 2 victims back in '46 on their way to chuch that Sunday. The car was pulled off to the side of the road. The couple had been shot to death. They said it was horrible.

[ASACurator]

You need to! One of the best Burgers in the whole Four-States Area.

[jasperfan95]

I still haven't gone to Guy's