You Can Stand In Three Different States At Once In The Town Of Texarkana, Texas
By Katie Lawrence|Published January 20, 2020
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Most of us have wished we could simultaneously be in two places at some point, and here in Texas, you can be in three. There’s a place called Arklatex at the intersection of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana, and it’s technically part of all three states.
Colloquially known as "Arklatex," this roughly 46,000 square mile area near Texarkana spans three different states. The term dates to the early 1900s, however, it wasn't popularized until several decades later as part of a tourism campaign.
Uniting the region was a promotional ploy based on the idea that the "interests of all the people in the Tri-state area of South Arkansas, North Louisiana and East Texas are practically identical in matters pertaining to agriculture, industry, commerce and trade, and education." It was thought that physically bringing together people who already had so much in common would do wonders for the economy.
Forty-seven counties make up the region, with a combined population of nearly 200,000. Shreveport, Louisiana is the largest city and serves as the economic and geographic center.
Most of the region is located in the Piney Woods. In fact, three of East Texas' four national forests lie within Arklatex boundaries: Angelina National Forest, Davy Crockett National Forest, and Sabine National Forest.
Occasionally, the area is referred to as "Arklatexoma" to include parts of extreme Southeastern Oklahoma that lie along the Red River. There is no official point where all four states converge, but that would be pretty fascinating!
