Texarkana is my hometown I started my career in radio when I was a teenager in high school and have been doing radio most of my life. Texarkana has given me a ton of great memories and I'm sure if you were born here some of the same applies to you too. Let's take a trip down old memory lane together. Remember in Texarkana When?

Remember in Texarkana

Yum Brands Sells Long John Silver's And A&W Chain Restaurants
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When you went to the A&W Root Beer stand at the corner of Hickory and 9th Street or to the State line location for a cold frosty mug of their famous root beer or float and their popular Whistle Burger that had ham on the burger. So good!

Remember in Texarkana

Townsquare Media
Townsquare Media
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When you had a picture with family or friends taken in front of the downtown Post Office at Photographer's Island with one foot in Arkansas the other in Texas. Country artist Kevin Fowler had me take him to the post office so he could do just that when he was in town.

Remember in Texarkana

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YouTube
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When you went to see the movie The Town That Dreaded Sundown that was filmed in Texarkana at the downtown Paramount Theater which is now the historic Perot Theatre. Did you catch a glimpse of me in the dance scene? I was a high school teen and many of my classmates were in that prom scene too.

Remember in Texarkana

An vacant drive in movie theatre and its vintage speaker.
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When you would load up the family on the weekend and head to the Joy Twin Drive-In or 67 Drive-In. There is just something special about watching a movie from your car with those speakers you would hang on your window. That was the closest thing to surround sound back in the day.

Remember in Texarkana

Apple Pie
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When you went to the original Bryce's Cafeteria downtown after church for the great food buffet and you always had to have a slice of their homemade pies. Let me tell you, it was worth standing in line for!

Remember in Texarkana

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ThinkStock
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When you would turn on the radio and hear reports of the Fouke monster being spotted in local neighborhoods. It's rumored today that the legend lives on in the backwoods and bayous of Southwest Arkansas. This whole phenomenon sparked the movie, The Legend of Boggy Creek.

Remember in Texarkana

When the entire town showed up to watch the Arkansas High Razorbacks take on the Texas High Tigers in a crosstown football rivalry. This game is still going on today but has been postponed for the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

T.I.S.D.
T.I.S.D.
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Remember in Texarkana

partial view of parents and kids skating on roller rink together
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When you went to Summerhill Skating Rink to learn how to skate for the first time or attend a skating birthday party. I busted my butt several times learning how to skate.

Remember in Texarkana

White-throated capuchin monkey (Cebus capucinus) screaming
Ryan McVay
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When you took the kids to Spring Lake Park Zoo to feed the monkeys and other animals. And do you remember the lion roaring that would echo all over the park grounds?

Remember in Texarkana

Five gallon plastic water bottle
ArtTim
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When you would take your empty water jugs or bottles to Spring Lake Park's natural running spring to fill up with water.

Remember in Texarkana

Mario Garcia
Mario Garcia
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When you went to Guy's Orange for their famous orange drink, Texas burger, chili dogs, and the small cup of peanuts you would get with your orange drink. I remember dropping quarters in the jukebox near the door. By the way, the original sign used to be painted orange. The sign used to reside at their Nash location before finally going out of business, the sign is no longer there.

Remember in Texarkana

Mario Garcia
Mario Garcia
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When you attended the Four States Fair and Rodeo in Spring lake Park where the baseball fields are located now. This was the main entrance to the fair it was the commercial building. Remember that old steam engine locomotive that used to be behind the rodeo stands? I miss those days.

Remember in Texarkana

Michael J. Rivera/TSM
Michael J. Rivera/TSM
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When you would cruise up and down State Line Avenue a hundred times in one night with friends and hang out in some of the parking lots.

There are so many memories and things you could add to this list that it would probably go on for days but these are just a few memories I remember when growing up in Texarkana.

What do you remember about living in Texarkana?

 

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