Chalk Bluff ghost town is a small ghost town located between St. Francis River and Crowley Ridge in Clay County, Arkansas. The town which was deserted and abandoned after the civil war’s effect was established in the 1820s and served as a ferry crossing town. 

History of the town

Chalk Bluff town or as it is currently known, Chalk Bluff BattleField was established in 1823 when a man by the name Abraham Seitz started a general store and a ferry business in the vast region between River St. Francis and Crowley Ridge. Being the only town that offered crossing services in St. Francis river, hundreds of people were attracted to the town with some looking for employment while others looking for places to set their homesteads.  Ferry crossing services were the pillar of this small community as many of the locals were employed in the sector. Due to its prime location, many notorious thugs and outlaws liked the town of Chalk making it one of the most unsafe towns back then. During the civil war, Union and Confederate forces took advantage of the town’s strategic location and used it as their camp and battlefield. This is what made many flee the town in fear of their life.

The decline of the town

Hell, that rained on Chalk Bluff during the civil war was one formidable force that the town had never seen before. Once the Union and Confederate forces occupied the region, misfortune followed the town like a shadow. Though the town tried its best to survive through this had time, it was too late as the several battles had rendered the only source of livelihood of many useless. The confederate took over the town forcing many to relocate both in an effort to save their life and at the same time fend for their families. Chalk Bluff town was never restored after the forces surrendered at the end of the civil war.

The current condition of the town

After the American Civil War, the majority of the townsite was destroyed. The town's structures, however, were not all destroyed. Chalk Bluff BattleField Park was created from the ruins of the town, which were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In May 1863, this would be the commencement of the American Civil War. The town is currently under the full control of the state of Arkansas, and tours of the town and its environs are available. Except on Sundays, guided tours are available every day of the week. Chalk Bluff BattleField is a wonderful pick to add to your bucket list if you are a fan of old historic ghost towns.