Chicot County, Arkansas

Chicot County Education, Geography, and History

Chicot County is a county located in the state of Arkansas. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 11,800. The county seat is Lake Village. Chicot County is Arkansas's tenth county, formed on October 25, 1823. Chicot county is named after Point Chicot on the Mississippi River. Its name was thought to have come from the French word "chicot"(stumpy) for the many cypress trees along the river.

Etymology - Origin of Chicot County Name

Chicot county is named for Point Chicot on the Mississippi River.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts

Chicot County History

Chicot County is rich, flat farmland, was created October 1823 by the Territorial Legislature from part of Arkansas County. The county name was thought to have come from the French word "Chicot" (stumpy) for the many cypress trees along the river. Lake Village is the county seat. Chicot County is the state's southeastern-most county and is well known for its rich, fertile soil that often reaches 1,200 feet (world average seven inches). Agriculture is strong; cotton, rice and soybeans are the big three with catfish farming and processing gaining, with the capabilities of processing up to 170,000 pounds a day.

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 691 square miles (1,790 km²), of which 644 square miles (1,670 km²) is land and 47 square miles (120 km²) (6.7%) is water.

 Lake Chicot offers many recreational opportunities. The lake is 22 miles long and is the largest oxbow lake in the nation. At the end of the lake, the state park offers cabins, a swimming pool, fishing, boating, camping, tours, picnicking, and many other recreational opportunities. On stilts in the lake sets the only tourist information center in the state completely heated and cooled by solar energy. Rich history abounds in the county in such landmarks as New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, founded by a slave before the Civil War. Many plantation homes are also located in the county. The courthouse is located on the banks of the lake with the jury room having a spectacular view of the lake.

Landmarks around the county include Lake Chicot, North America's largest oxbow lake and Arkansas's largest natural lake; the site of Charles Lindbergh's first night-time flight; and the legendary burial site of Hernando De Soto, near Lake Village.

Neighboring Counties

Bordering counties are as follows:

• North: Desha County
• Northeast: Bolivar County, Miss.
• East: Washington County, Miss.
• Southeast: Issaquena County, Miss.
• South: East Carroll Parish, La.
• Southwest: West Carroll Parish, La.; Morehouse Parish, La.
• West: Ashley County
• Northwest: Drew County

Education

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