Arkadelphia, AR (ARK)

Ticket Revenue

FY 2011

$135,461

Station Ridership

FY 2011

1,574

Note: Fiscal year is from
October through September.

Arkadelphia is a flag stop along the route of the Texas Eagle. If there is a reservation for a passenger boarding or detraining here, the train will stop. If not, it simply continues through. Amtrak’s Arkadelphia station is located downtown in the restored Missouri Pacific depot. The one-story red brick station was built circa 1917 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The Mediterranean-style station features a covered outdoor shelter with southwestern tile roofing.

In the 1990s, restorations began to restore the exterior of the station, including the tiled, hipped roof. The station received an enclosed waiting area for passengers as well, and now houses the Clark County Historical Museum, which opened in October 2003. The museum’s mission is to preserve and disseminate knowledge about the county’s history. Artifacts representing the city’s history are displayed, including a caboose. The regional transit agency is also headquartered here.

The depot restorations were funded with $275,717 in grants, of which $153,154 was federal and the remainder local. In March 2001, the Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce provided $82,000 in funds from grants through the Arkansas Department of Economic Development’s Energy Improvement funds, the Great American Train Station Foundation, and the Arkadelphia Community Foundation to open the museum. Much of the station clean-up in preparation for its opening was done with volunteer labor.

The area around Arkadelphia was once home to the Caddo Indians, and archaeologically significant mounds are still located four miles west of the city. Arkadelphia was settled around 1809 by John Hemphill, an operator of a nearby salt work, Arkansas’s first industry. It adopted its present name in 1839, and was formerly known as Blakelytown. The name Arkadelphia was formed by combining “Ark” (from Arkansas) and “adelphia” (from Philadelphia). It is said to mean “The ark of brotherly love.” In 1842, Arkadelphia became the Clark County seat. After the Civil War, the Cairo and Fulton line joined Arkadelphia and Little Rock in 1873. Since the railroad touched the river in Arkadelphia, the city became a transportation hub and trading center.

Arkadelphia is the gateway stop for Hot Springs, Diamond Lake country, Crater of Diamonds State Park, and the Ouachita Mountain region. At Crate of Diamonds State Park, the only diamond mine open to the public for prospecting, visitors may keep any diamonds they find.

Outdoor recreation is a favorite pastime in Arkadelphia. Hiking through the Ouachita National Forest as well as fishing are popular activities. The Arkadelphia Aquatic Park is open during the summer months, and the DeGray Lake State Park offers camping, water sports, golf, and hiking.

Arkadelphia is home to Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University.

Amtrak provides ticketing and limited baggage services at this facility.

Arkadelphia is served by two daily trains.