Poinsett County: Cultural History, Nature and Excursions

At Lake Poinsett State Park, wildlife and regional history meet a wide range of activities. Interpretive programs on both topics are offered year-round. Hiking on the trails and kayaking are also available. On-site boat rentals, a boat launch and a fishing bait shop round out the offerings. This lets you enjoy the park in different ways, without every outing having to focus on the same theme.

Lake Poinsett State Park: Activities and Camping

The park has 29 campsites: 12 Class A sites, 14 Class B sites and three tent sites. If you plan to stay overnight at one of these sites, check current availability in advance, as the number of available sites may change. It is also a good idea to check the latest information about boat rentals and the fishing bait shop before your visit.

From Harrisburg, drive 1 mile east on Highway 14, then 2 miles south on Highway 163 to Lake Poinsett State Park. Check your route before setting out, as road conditions and routes may change. These directions provide a specific guide to the park without assuming a particular travel time.

Floodplain Landscape and Trails through the Sunken Lands

The Singer Forest Natural Area is a 520-acre floodplain forest and inundated swamp area in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. The St. Francis Sunken Lands Natural Area covers 80 acres in the same plain, on the east side of the St. Francis River. The two areas therefore differ both in size and in their described locations: Singer Forest is known for its floodplain forest and inundated swamp, while the Sunken Lands lie along the river.

A bike ride through the Sunken Lands is 52 miles long and rated easy to moderate. These details give you two concrete points to consider when planning: the route’s length and its difficulty rating. Siphons Access is on AR 63 near Marked Tree and offers another named point of reference for finding your way around the region.

Agriculture, Labor and Historic Buildings

The Southern Tenant Farmers Museum explains how subsistence and tenant farming, as well as agricultural labor movements, shaped the Mississippi River Delta and led to the founding of the Southern Tenant Farmers Union. The museum’s focus thus connects agricultural ways of life and work with the history of an organization. The historic Tyronza Bank building is adjacent to the museum.

In the 1930s, the Mitchell-East Building served as the unofficial headquarters of the Southern Tenant Farmers Union. The offices were later moved to Memphis for security reasons. The facades of the Tyronza Bank building and the Mitchell-East Building were restored to their 1930s appearance. Together, the two buildings reflect both their historic uses and the restoration of their former facade appearance, while the museum explores the social and economic background of the movement.

Another architectural point of interest is the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Historic District in Weiner. It includes a church built in 1937 in the Colonial Revival style and designed by Memphis architect Henry J. Kramer. The church’s construction date, style and architect make it a specific example of the region’s architectural history.

The two proposed Commercial Historic Districts also have different areas of emphasis. The Marked Tree Commercial Historic District is proposed for the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A because of its association with Marked Tree’s early development and commercial activity. For the Harrisburg Commercial Historic District, proposals under Criteria A and C relate to Harrisburg’s early development, county government activities, and the diversity and quality of its 19th- and 20th-century commercial buildings. While the proposal for Marked Tree emphasizes early development and commerce, the one for Harrisburg also covers county government and architecture. Both are described as proposals, not as listings that have already taken place.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Trumann, Ashley County, Boone County, Monroe County, Hempstead County, Cleburne County, Pope County, Chicot County.

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