Discover Blytheville: History, Exhibits, and Trails

Several distinct themes stand out when planning a trip to Blytheville: regional cultural history, the history of Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base, historic architecture, and recreational opportunities along Thunder Bayou. The Delta Gateway Museum explores history and cultural development in a regional context; the BAFB Exhibition, by contrast, focuses on the history of the Air Force Base, from its beginnings in 1942 to its closure in 1992. Other attractions include the Blytheville Commercial Historic District, the Art Moderne bus station, a walking trail, and celebration venues at Walker Park. Depending on your interests, you can give culture, architectural history, and recreation different priorities in your travel plans.

Cultural History and Exhibitions

The Delta Gateway Museum offers free, heritage-based cultural and educational programs for cultural tourists and the general public. The museum regularly displays historical and cultural objects, artifacts, photographs, artworks, printed materials, and audiovisual materials. Its exhibits cover the history and cultural development of Blytheville, Mississippi County, Northeast Arkansas, and the Arkansas Delta. This geographic scope extends from the city to the wider region. The museum is located in the historic S. H. Kress Building in the Blytheville Commercial Historic District.

The BAFB Exhibition offers a different historical perspective. It presents memorabilia, videos, and personal stories about the history of Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base, from its beginnings in 1942 until its closure in 1992. Exhibits also include original furniture from the well-known Alert Compound, photographs, uniforms, and other memorabilia. The Memorial Room focuses on the personal stories of soldiers who survived the war and those who lost their lives in it. While the Delta Gateway Museum covers a broad geographic area, the BAFB Exhibition focuses specifically on the history of the base and the personal stories connected with it.

Historic Buildings in Blytheville

The Blytheville Commercial Historic District includes a cohesive collection of commercial buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Blytheville Greyhound Bus Station is a single, more precisely dated building: it was built in 1939 in the Art Moderne style. It also houses the local tourist information center and exhibits, and is a stop on the African American Heritage Trail. The historic commercial district, with its collection of buildings, and the individual bus station, with its construction date, style, and additional connections, therefore represent two different scales.

Walking Trails, Sports, and Celebrations

For walking and sports, head to the Blytheville Sportsplex near Thunder Bayou. The complex includes eight baseball and softball fields, four soccer fields, a seven-acre lake, and a walking trail. The Thunder Bayou Walking Trail is 1.5 miles long; it runs around the lake and passes the golf course and playing fields. Thunder Bayou Golf Links also has a connection to golf: it is part of the Natural State Golf Trail.

Walker Park also offers different options for celebrations: the pavilion can be reserved for weddings, while the swimming pool is available for celebrations from June 1 through mid-August. Blytheville is also located along the Great River Road National Scenic Byway, a regional route that offers another travel connection to the city.

Discover more destinations: Osceola

View the broader travel guide: Mississippi County.