5 Startling Stories in Arkansas’ Past That Still Mystifies Today

The month of October always seems to bring out odd stories and bizarre occurrences that have happened in every state including Arkansas. Some you can explain some still remain a mystery today.

Birds Falling to Death

It happened in 2012 in Beebe, Arkansas residents were shocked when the skies there darkened as thousands of blackbirds dropped from the sky onto the ground dead. There are many theories as to why this happened such as the bird virus others say loud noises from fireworks sometimes trigger birds to fly erratically but after investigation, it was not fully explained just what caused thousands of birds to drop to their untimely death leaving some residents to believe it was just a bad omen.

Mysterious Monster in Arkansas

In the '70s in Fouke, Arkansas it was reported several times that some type of creature was lurking in the wooley swamps of Southwest Arkansas. Sightings of this huge beast that was covered in hair walked upright and protruded a foul odor were spotted near Boggy Creek a heavily wooded area near this small Arkansas town. During this time rumors of this ape-like creature that many today compare to Bigfoot were spotted in Texarkana as well.

The mysterious creature became known as the infamous Fouke Monster which led to a movie that has become a cult classic, "The Legend of Boggy Creek." There is even a store in Fouke named the Monster Mart where you can buy souvenirs and take a selfie with a standup Fouke Monster.

Every year the community gets together for the Fouke Monster Festival. So, the next time you are traveling U.S. Highway 71 and cross over the Boggy Creek bridge you never know you just might get a glimpse of this mythical creature that could still be roaming the woods.

Notorious Criminals in Arkansas

Everyone knows about America's infamous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde who were gunned down in Louisiana but did you know when they were on the run they hid out in a tourist camp in Fort Smith, Arkansas?

When the couple was passing through Texarkana it was said they would frequent the historic Grim Hotel in downtown Texarkana, Texas, according to a downtown history tour. The Grim is being fully restored and lofts will be available soon.

Famous Hanging Gallows

In the late 1800s in Fort Smith, Arkansas the region was considered Indian Territory and there was a Judge by the name of Isaac Parker who became known as the hanging judge because he was hell-bent on enforcing the law in fact, it's said that he sentenced 86 people to be "Hanged By The Neck Until Dead."

The famous gallows are still there today and have become a tourist attraction but beware it's been reported that ghostly apparitions have appeared near the gallows.

Al Capone's Home Away From Home

Hot Springs National Park Arkansas has always been a resort town where folks would travel far and wide to bathe in the thermal hot waters that were said to have mystical healing powers. Many celebrities throughout the years have visited the spa city but one celebrity the notorious mobster boss Al Capone made Hot Springs his personal getaway that became more of a hideout from his criminal empire. During that time gambling was big in Hot Springs and with so many underground tunnels in the city, it was easy for Capone to escape quickly from law enforcement authorities who might have been pursuing him.

He even had his own personal loft downtown he stayed in when he was in Hot Springs and today the Al Capone room has been totally renovated and can be rented, the room looks out over the city. But be careful, it's said that the room could be haunted by the ghost of Al Capone, and guests who have stayed there have reported smelling cigar smoke in the non-smoking room. Capone loved a good cigar!

I'm sure there are many more stories of places in Arkansas that have a dark past but these are just a few I thought you would get a kick out of knowing about the next time you are in Arkansas.