Texarkana

Texarkana is a railroad city in Bowie County that sits directly on the Texas and Arkansas state border, with State Line Avenue marking the division through its downtown core. The municipality operates under two separate governments, yet functions as one community with neighborhoods, shops, and public spaces spread across both sides of the border.

The town formed in 1873 when two railroad lines met at this location, creating a transportation hub that drew settlers and commerce from both Texas and Arkansas. The railroad junction led to rapid growth as a trade center, and the dual state arrangement became permanent when officials decided to maintain separate administrations rather than merge under one state.

The Museum of Regional History, housed in the oldest building in Texarkana, presents exhibits about local development and regional artifacts from past centuries.

Visitors can walk along State Line Avenue to see the border markers and observe how the street divides the downtown area into two states. The regional airport offers connections to larger cities, while several major highways converge here, making it accessible by car from surrounding regions.

The post office building sits precisely on the state line, allowing mail to be processed under both Texas and Arkansas jurisdictions from the same counter. The Museum of Regional History occupies the oldest standing structure in town and displays artifacts that trace the development of this border community over more than a century.

Location: Bowie County

Inception: December 8, 1873

Elevation above the sea: 91 m

Part of: Texarkana

Shares border with: Texarkana

Website: http://ci.texarkana.tx.us

GPS coordinates: 33.43720,-94.06750

Latest update: December 15, 2025 08:05