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Helena, Arkansas. Helena is the eastern portion of Helena–West Helena, Arkansas, a city in Phillips County, Arkansas, located on the west bank of the Mississippi River. It was founded in 1833 by Nicholas Rightor and is named after the daughter of Sylvanus Phillips, an early settler of Phillips County and the namesake of Phillips County.
- abroadwithashley. Minneapolis, MN1,444 contributions. Very Informative. We came here to see the famous recording location of King Biscuit Time. If you’re on a blues trip (like us) then this is definitely worth the stop.
- Eddie M. 1 contribution. RAYMOND IS GREAT!!!!! Raymond provided an excellent tour of the facility. His knowledge of the House, as well as his personal knowledge of Helena is a must for anyone interested in history.
- VictoriaElizabethK. London, UK53 contributions. Step Back in History. The cemetery is understandably peaceful but to walk amongst the stones, it is very moving to see how many of the dead are unknown.
- Joseph A. Blytheville, AR3 contributions. Granny's Attic at it's finest! This museum is an amazing granny's attic museum. Every case is packed with trinkets and other artifacts that tell the local story!
Helena–West Helena (listen ⓘ; / ˈhɛlənə /) is the county seat of and the largest city within Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. [ 3 ] The current city was consolidated, effective January 1, 2006, from the two Arkansas cities of Helena and West Helena. Helena is sited on lowlands between the Mississippi River and the eastern side ...
Visit Helena, Arkansas and find a place like no other. Welcome to Helena, Arkansas, where history meets charm along the mighty Mississippi River. Explore our vibrant culture, scenic beauty, and rich heritage in the heart of the Delta. Experience Helena with fishing, boating, birdwatching, hiking Delta trails, biking along the Mississippi, and ...
- Arkansas Welcome Center
- Phillips County Museum
- Fort Curtis
- Delta Cultural Center
- Robert Nighthawk Gravesite
- Quapaw Canoe Company
- King Biscuit Time Marker
- Sonny Boy Williamson’s Boarding House
- Helena Confederate Cemetery
- Pillow Thompson House
Between the Arkansas and Mississippi border lies an Arkansas Welcome Center that deserves a few minutes of your time, especially if you’ve been wondering what you’d do to occupy yourself on your trip to Helena – West Helena. The center is full of helpful maps, brochures, and magazines that are there for the taking. The staff will be glad to answer ...
Arkansas’ Phillips County Museum is housed in an old firehouse dating back to the 1870s and is very well done, considering the town’s small size. The building has been restored over the years but still maintains its unique Victorian-era architecture. Previous visitors have called it an unexpected gem. As a young man, Mark Twain worked on a number o...
During the Civil War years, Fort Curtis was a bustling center of Union war activity; many of the campaigns in surrounding states were supplied and kicked off in Helena – West Helena. Arkansas was hotly contested as both the Union and Confederacy saw it as a key state, along with neighboring Missouri. The fort now consists of reproduction buildings ...
The Delta Cultural Center in Helena is the area’s premier destination for all things relating to the history, culture and musical traditions in this part of the Mississippi and Arkansas River Deltas. The center is full of interactive exhibits, displays, and photographs that chronicle the region’s past. Much of the center is dedicated to the blues l...
Though he’s not so well known outside diehard blues circles, Robert Nighthawk was a musician who made his mark in the ‘40s, 50’s and ‘60s, and was also the father of another famous bluesman named Sam Carr. Robert Nighthawk was his performing name; his real name was Robert Lee McCollum, and he was born in Helena, Arkansas in 1909. Though his gravesi...
Located across the river from Helena – West Helena in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the Quapaw Canoe Company has been leading outdoorsy visitors on canoe tours of the local waterways for years. Tours are offered on the Mississippi and Big Sunflower Rivers, to name a few, and you don’t need to to have experienced on the water to sign up for one of their ...
Years ago, when I spent countless hours in the car late at night, I listened to a program called, The King Biscuit Flower Hour. Little did I know then that the program had its roots in the town of Helena – West Helena. According to the plaque near the marker, the radio show is the longest running blues radio program in the country. Over the years, ...
Another native son who’s considered a legend in the blues world is Sonny Boy Williamson, who died at a boarding house in Helena – West Helena in 1965. Though the boarding house is long gone and only an empty lot remains, it’s still a musical and historical site that’s worth a quick look. Like many former blues greats, Sonny Boy Williamson’s career ...
Though it was a hotly contested area during the Civil War, most locals will tell you that Arkansas was a southern state through and through, and it’s no surprise that the Helena Confederate Cemetery is so revered. Full of worn gravesites that have faded over the years, the graveyard is a bit of local history that should be checked out. Many of the ...
During the Victorian era, many southern towns like Helena – West Helena were at the height of their prosperity. The Pillow Thompson House is one that’s been carefully preserved and is open for the public to see. It’s located downtown, and in addition to being a museum, it’s a venue that’s often used for weddings and other special events. Depending ...
Helena, city, seat (1830) of Phillips county, eastern Arkansas, U.S., port of the Mississippi River, about 50 miles (80 km) southwest of Memphis, Tennessee, and adjacent to the city of West Helena. The community, originally settled in 1797 and first called Monticello and then St. Francis, grew.
Find your ROOTS. Historic Helena, a treasure trove of preserved architecture and rich heritage, provides a glimpse into the past. Nestled along the Mississippi River, this charming town boasts Civil War landmarks, antebellum homes, and a storied past that reflects the cultural and historical fabric of the Delta.
