Discover Strawberry

Strawberry, Arkansas, brings together the Strawberry River and a long history of settlement. If you’re looking for a hotel in Strawberry, these two themes can help you decide how the area fits your interests. The river is a point of reference for canoeing and fishing; the history can be traced through early dates, changing names, and descriptions of the settlement. You can use these themes to shape your trip plans, depending on whether you’re more interested in the river system or in Strawberry’s past.

Strawberry River: Nature and Recreation

The Strawberry River is designated as a Natural and Scenic River in Arkansas. It is also designated as an Extraordinary Resource Water and an Ecologically Sensitive Water Body. The river is popular with canoeists and anglers. Nature designations and recreational interests thus go hand in hand: the Strawberry River appeals both to visitors interested in the river landscape and to travelers who want to focus on canoeing or fishing.

The diversity of the river system can also be described in specific terms. It is known to support 313 species of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Seven species of stoneflies found in the system are endemic to the Interior Highlands. The Strawberry River Darter is found only in the Strawberry River basin. These figures relate to the river system and its basin: they give nature enthusiasts a glimpse of the biodiversity associated with the Strawberry River.

Settlement History and Historical Names

Strawberry is considered one of the oldest settlements of white settlers in Arkansas. The Strawberry River valley was also one of the state’s earliest settled areas. An early reference to the area’s history dates to 1819: when Henry Rowe Schoolcraft passed through, he mentioned a gristmill there. In 1825, John Milligan established the first church in the Strawberry River valley. Milligan’s Camp Ground is about four miles west of Strawberry and offers a general geographic point of reference for the area’s history.

Several names tell of different stages in the area’s history. The settlement’s post office, established in 1854, was initially called Strawberry Point; the name was later shortened to Strawberry. Cathey Town was another name for the settlement. It came about because John A. Cathey’s son established a business in the Strawberry River valley. The two names therefore refer to different contexts: Strawberry Point was the post office’s original name, while Cathey Town was associated with the business in the valley.

Historical accounts document different points in time. In 1889, Strawberry was described as a village of log cabins with two general stores, a schoolhouse, and a church. By 1936, the town had six stores, two churches, and a high school. Strawberry was never connected to the railroad network and developed slowly. These details form a distinct thread in the area’s history, alongside the valley’s early settlement and the evolution of its names.

Another Local Point of Interest

ArkLa Produce is a small fruit and vegetable farm in Strawberry, Arkansas. Sales at the farm may vary by season. If you’re interested in its produce, take this possible seasonality into account when planning your visit.

For your trip, there are two distinct points of focus: the Strawberry River connects water-based recreation with the biodiversity of its basin, while the historical names and dates offer a glimpse into the area’s settlement history.

For the broader travel overview: Lawrence County.