Driving Around West Memphis, Arkansas in 4k Video

Filmed on Tuesday, September 3 2024, I drive around West Memphis, AR to see what's going on.
The earliest recorded European immigrant to the area was Benjamin Fooy, a native of Holland, who was sent by the governor of the large area claimed by Spain to establish a settlement on the Mississippi River. He chose a location across the river from present-day Memphis.
In 1797, the Spanish established Campo de la Esperanza, which was a small fort along the Mississippi River. The Spanish abandoned the fort in 1802 and the area took its English translation "Field of Hope", which eventually became known as Hopefield shortly after the United States took possession of the Louisiana Territory.
During the Civil War, Memphis fell into the hands of the Union forces. Most Confederate soldiers were ferried across the river to Hopefield, Arkansas. Many of these soldiers were moved on to other battle fronts, but some remained to harass the Union forces and disrupt river traffic. This became such a problem that on February 19, 1863, four companies of Federal forces burned down the entire town.
An early settlement that was established for ferry operations between Memphis and Arkansas in the early 1880s was given the name West Memphis. Ferry traffic ceased after the Frisco Bridge was completed in 1892.
The area was constantly flooding until construction of the St. Francis Levee system. After the levee system was completed and strengthened, Zack T. Bragg established a sawmill in 1914 which was the beginning of modern-day West Memphis.
By 1928, the population had grown to 350 and Bragg was elected as the first mayor of West Memphis, serving three consecutive terms.
The population continued to increase and reached 9,112 by 1950, making West Memphis the fastest growing city in Arkansas.
8th Street in West Memphis was often called "Beale Street West" as it had a music and nightlife scene that was equivalent to Memphis. B.B. King and Elvis Presley both performed in West Memphis.
West Memphis became a trucking hub after the opening of Interstate 55. Several major distribution centers are located in West Memphis.
#drivingtour #westmemphis #arkansas

[@EvilLoki1313]

It's been 26 years since I drove around that area and it still looks the same