Border towns with names derived from merged terms (also named “portmanteaus”) have generally intrigued me, but increasing up in Texas, one particular in certain captured my interest: Texarkana.
It took a couple of many years, but I eventually experienced the possibility to discover this historic border town, which includes the legendary write-up business courthouse located ideal in the heart of the border.
Underneath, I’ll share my practical experience and provide you with all the necessary info you will need prior to arranging your visit.
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What is the Texarkana put up workplace?
The Texarkana write-up business is a one of a kind landmark situated immediately on the border amongst Texas and Arkansas. Developed in 1933, it’s the only federal building in the United States that straddles two states. Visitors flock to see its unique point out line boundary marker and examine the historic downtown spot close by.
Make positive you’re expressing it ideal: tek-sahr-KAN-uh. Teks-AR-Kana is the out-of-tow way to say it.
Traveling to the Texarkana post office
The publish office environment is situated at: 500 N Condition Line Ave Ste 101, Texarkana, AR 71854.
It’s located on “Photograph Island” and that name is rather fitting, as the courthouse within this federal building is reputed to be the second most photographed courthouse in the country, pursuing only the Supreme Court in Washington DC.
It’s fairly effortless to take a look at the spot.
There are parking areas obtainable adjacent to the write-up place of work as nicely as some supplemental parking in the encompassing spot. They even have cost-free EV parking which was a awesome surprise.
A lot of vacationers go by listed here, so you’re possible to come upon many others snapping photos on the border. On the other hand, there are a lot of distinctive spots for capturing special border-connected photographs you, so possibilities are you can always come across someplace to get a very good shot.
The major shot will be specifically in entrance of the put up office environment, wherever you can capture the massive “T” condition boundary line separating the two states.
Additionally, the marked state outlines on the floor supply an intriguing perspective, possibly producing for an interesting video clip as you walk, stretch, cartwheel, and so forth. throughout the boundary. (We had been in town through the weekend of the 2024 eclipse which is why you see the celestial item on the border under.)
On the avenue and crosswalks in entrance of the submit workplace, you’ll discover small plaques labeled with “TEX” and “ARK,” giving some intriguing perspectives observed underneath. Just make guaranteed you’re looking for oncoming targeted visitors!
Also, wanting in the direction of the historic downtown location from atop the actions gives yet another outstanding prospect.
Don’t ignore to examine the north facet of the write-up place of work, where by you’ll discover an intriguing fountain marking the point out line. It’s not each and every day you see a h2o fountain splitting the border concerning two states.
I manufactured absolutely sure to visit on a weekday so that I could go within of the federal making and check out though I wouldn’t say that’s precisely the emphasize of the practical experience. For those people who don’t know, the making residences the post business office but also United States District Courts for both equally Arkansas and Texas.
The courthouse was shut throughout my go to, but the publish office was open up, so I made the decision to investigate inside. It appeared to be a common article office with partitions of article office boxes and a handful of different desks and stations.
I inquired about any particular stamps for Texarkana, but regretably, they didn’t have any. Overall, there’s not considerably explanation to go inside except if you’re basically curious, like me, to see what it appears to be like like.
A person detail that caught my interest was a plaque devoted to JFK, found just outside the entrance doorways. Obtaining adopted JFK’s past couple of times in Texas closely, it was intriguing to see the Texarkana connection.
In the speech JFK was getting ready to supply on the working day he was assassinated, he intended to mention a prior go to he had manufactured to Texarkana wherever he pledged that the place would decide up attempts in the house war. Of system, those initiatives would provide us to the moon which designed it even much more fitting to be visiting on the weekend of the photo voltaic eclipse.
Checking out Texarkana past the put up place of work
Some roadtrippers may possibly make a quick detour just to see this distinctive publish business office, but there’s a lot far more to check out than just that.
1st, straight throughout from the courthouse there is a great little cafe bakery, The Rabbit Hole, which also serves up some tasty beverages. It was a bit warm outside so we grabbed a pair of refreshing beverages and then ended up on our way.
Just west of the submit workplace, you’ll come across a wonderful WWI Memorial truly worth checking out, adorned with flags from Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
It was fascinating to me to see Oklahoma and Louisiana clumped in with some of these memorials. I grew up a Texan but never ever read the term 𔄜 condition” area but apparently that’s a lot more of a frequent thing in northeast Texas, I suppose?
Don’t skip the time capsule that was just put there at the end of 2023. It’s specified to be there undisturbed for 50 yrs!
To the north of there is a Korean War and Vietnam War Memorial, which I identified to be effectively accomplished. It honors veterans from the 4-point out region, and it was in this article that I uncovered about the horrific frostbite experienced by US soldiers for the duration of the Korean War.
As you make your way through the streets about listed here just be aware that some of the avenue structure is a tiny funky. Autos kind of arrive out of nowhere but typically it appears people today don’t generate too fast all-around right here so you must be ok.
If you proceed north on Point out Line Avenue, you’ll see Texas flag banners on the west side and Arkansas flag banners on the east side. We started to stroll down that road but it didn’t appear terribly interesting in that path and so we turned close to soon.
A little bit to the south there is the Confederate Moms Monument statue, most likely controversial to some. It was devoted in 1918 on April 21 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and is a little bit particular as it’s a person of the few Accomplice monuments that characteristics a lady.
Continuing on, you can stroll into the Arts & Historic District, exactly where you’ll experience several wonderful church buildings on the Texas side and other historic buildings. Though some are nevertheless in have to have of restoration, other individuals have been preserved quite effectively.
I appreciated seeing Scott Joplin Way, named soon after the “King of Ragtime.” I uncovered him immediately after delving into the heritage of the Crash at Crush (he composed a music after the celebration). He was born in Texarkana.
Immediately after wandering close to for a little bit, we stumbled on TOC Burgers, a remarkably rated burger joint in the metropolis. I significantly liked their cheeseburger, so if you’re craving a great burger, specially a no nonsense basic burger, this could be a good place to strike up.
There are fairly a few large and vibrant murals scattered all through the Historic Arts District, producing it a fantastic spot to acquire a stroll and admire the neighborhood art scene.
Presented that this was the weekend of the solar eclipse of 2024, there were being lots of gatherings happening. We discovered an entire phase area established up, together with a part for food vehicles.
Curiously, I later on found out that Texarkana County is situated in a dry county. Having said that, more than time, they’ve permitted beer and wine to be bought and served in dining places. As much as I know, liquor is even now not permitted to be bought?
Nevertheless, they do have an leisure zone the place open up containers are authorized all through particular hrs, as lengthy as you keep on the suitable aspect of the inexperienced line. Sort of amusing to me that a metropolis can go from getting so dry to in essence Bourbon Road making it possible for open containers. But be positive to hold an eye out for indicators to assure you keep on being in the designated region.
If you have even additional time to spare, look at discovering other points of interest in the city. As a Texas A&M graduate, I was interested in browsing the Texas A&M-Texarkana campus.
While smaller than I expected, it’s a picturesque campus, and we appreciated having our doggy here for a wander, in particular all-around the lake location. Just beware that there’s tons of poo on the sidewalks right after you cross the bridge!
Closing word
We have been fortunate to shell out a evening in Texarkana and take a look at the town a little bit. Having said that, even if you’re shorter on time and can’t go to the historic downtown location, it’s still worth halting by to see these kinds of a exceptional making and to witness the condition line boundaries firsthand.