Growing up around Helena, Arkansas, you hear a lot of stories. That is simply part of growing up in the Mississippi Delta, where history seems to be attached to nearly every old building, cemetery, stretch of river, and country road. Some of those stories involve the Civil War, the Mississippi River, floods, riverboats, plantations, and […]
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Helena, Arkansas: The Civil War Crossroads of the Mississippi Delta
As many of you might already be aware, I’m a huge history buff. I plan to start dropping some historical content here from time to time (especially on topics related to my hometown). I hope you enjoy, and if you have questions or ideas for new content, please don’t hesitate to drop me a note! […]
Coming Soon: Vintage Power Tools at High Cotton Collectibles
There’s something about an old power tool that modern tools just can’t duplicate. The weight, the metal housings, the heavy-duty switches, the long cords, and the unmistakable sound of an old motor coming to life all speak to a time when tools were designed with a different philosophy.That’s why I’m excited to announce that High […]
When Mark Twain Came to Helena
Long before interstate highways, automobiles, and airplanes changed the way Americans traveled, the Mississippi River was one of the great transportation corridors of the United States. Steamboats moved passengers, mail, cotton, timber, livestock, and manufactured goods between the communities lining the river, and towns fortunate enough to have a good landing could become important centers […]
The Native American History of the Arkansas Delta
When we talk about the history of Helena, Arkansas, we usually begin with the Mississippi River, the arrival of American settlers the cotton economy, the Civil War, or perhaps the blues. Those are all important chapters in Helena’s history, but they represent only a fraction of the time that human beings have lived in this […]
Remembering the Delta Sigma fraternity: A Brotherhood from Another Era
There are certain things from our younger years that take on more meaning as we get older. Places we once took for granted become landmarks in our memories, old friendships become more important, and organizations that were simply part of everyday life eventually become pieces of local history. For me, Delta Sigma Fraternity is one […]
Key Figures in the Civil War from Helena, Arkansas
After spending some time researching my mom’s family’s (Davis) connection to Jefferson Davis, I thought it might be interesting to look into some key players in the confederacy that were either from Helena or who settled in Helena. Contemporary Arkansas historical sources identify seven Confederate generals or general-level commanders associated with Phillips County, although two—Charles […]
Before Conway Twitty: Harold Jenkins and His Helena, Arkansas Roots
Long before millions of people knew him as Conway Twitty, he was Harold Lloyd Jenkins, a boy growing up in Helena, Arkansas, with a guitar in his hands and an interest in music that was beginning to take over his life. He would eventually become one of the most successful performers in country music history, […]
King Biscuit Time and KFFA: How a Little Helena Radio Station Helped Change American Music
There are certain moments in history that seem ordinary when they happen. Nobody holds a ceremony, nobody writes down that something important has just occurred, and the people involved usually have no idea that anyone will still be talking about it generations later. One of those moments happened in Helena, Arkansas, on November 21, 1941. […]
Helen Keller’s Helena Roots: An Arkansas Connection Hidden in Plain Sight
When most people think of Helen Keller, Arkansas probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind. Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, in 1880, and her remarkable childhood there became one of the best-known stories in American history. After losing both her sight and hearing following an illness when she was only 19 months […]