Texarkana

We left Eureka Springs for another long drive back down south. Our original plan was to stop in Murfreesboro to visit Crater of Diamonds State Park, but when we arrived just outside of town around dusk, my wife and I both got a really weird vibe. The hotel we were supposed to stay at looked completely abandoned - without a single car in the parking lot!

We decided to cut our losses and drive a few hours further towards Texarkana, a weird little state border town (and as a geography nerd, I mean that in the best way). In the end, I'm glad we did, because there are some really interesting things to see in and around Texarkana. We'll have to go hunt for diamonds another time.

Texarkana, as its name quite obviously suggests, straddles the border between the US states of Texas and Arkansas. The city is unique in that it is divided by a state line, with the eastern half located in Arkansas and the western half located in Texas.

Despite being divided by a state line, Texarkana functions as a single city with shared services, infrastructure, and economy. Residents on both sides of the state line can access the same schools, hospitals, and other services.

The city is governed by two separate municipal governments, one for the Arkansas side and one for the Texas side, each with its own mayor and city council. However, the two sides of the city work together closely through a variety of joint ventures, including a shared chamber of commerce, police department, and fire department.

One of the city's most notable landmarks is the post office and federal building - supposedly the second-most photographed post office in the United States (I guess that the Old Post Office in D.C. might hold the number one spot).

The building was constructed directly on the border between the two states.

The post office and federal building houses several federal agencies, including the United States Postal Service, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Arkansas.

Despite being divided by a state line, the Texarkana post office and federal building functions as a single facility, with shared services, infrastructure, and staff. The unique location of the building on the state line highlights the close relationship between Texas and Arkansas and serves as a symbol of the cooperation and collaboration between the two states.

It's also a popular spot for tourists and visitors to stand and take photos while standing on the state line!