Arkansas’ Only Authentic Ghost Town Calico Rock Within a Town

Have you ever heard of the abandoned ghost town of Calico Rock in Arkansas?

According to the historical marker, in the 1890s shanty taverns lined both banks of the lower Calico Creek. If you ever wondered about the words, "pepper sauce" bartenders during that time served something called "peppersauce" a local name for the homebrew-type drink they served to visitors who stopped at the steamboat landing from the nearby White River.

Many of the people who came through were unruly characters who like to fight with knives and guns. The area quickly became known as Peppersauce Alley and because of its reputation, many of the nicer folks would not visit.

When the Missouri Pacific Railroad started laying tracks below the Calico bluff in 1902, many of these folks ran off all the vagrants who were claiming stake there.

Barber Shop and Beauty Parlor

All that remains of a barber shop and beauty parlor.

Chevrolet Garage

An old Chevrolet garage but it doesn't look very big.

Ozark Theatre Building

This used to be the Ozark Theatre.

Calico Rock was named after an array of colorful rock formations that pioneers claimed to resemble the textile. Calico Rock is located in Northwestern Izard County in Arkansas.

Calico Rock is basically a town within a town, but nobody lives in East Calico anymore, however, it's still privately owned and now serves as, "The only authentic ghost town within the city limits of a town in America.

Funeral Parlor

This was once a funeral parlor.

Blacksmith Shop

This used to be the blacksmith shop.

Feed and Seed Mill

This was the old feed and seed mill.

Notice the old railroad tracks running aside from the grain bin.

Nobody lives in East Calico anymore, the properties are still privately owned. They survive as a somewhat haunted attraction. East Calico is touted locally as "the only authentic ghost town within the city limits of a town in America.

By the way, if you would like to stay in the ghost town, check out this historic Airbnb. The area is also well known for great fishing and there are some really nice lodges nearby.

So, if you are looking for some creepy vibes to get into the Halloween spirit this just might be the road trip worth taking, if you dare!

Another point of view.