Bluff City

Bluff City

Bluff City is a small community located in Nevada County around 30 miles east of Hope.

The Reader Railroad once operated a steam train which ran from Reader, which is two miles from the city, south to Waterloo. A movie crew filmed a movie in the area in 1976 using the train and various locations in the area for the movie. The movie was called "Boxcar Bertha" with Keith Carradine and Barbara Hershey. Part of the television mini-series "North and South" was also filmed there in 1985. Arkansas native Johnny Cash and Patrick Swayze were on set for the film. A large building, which is still standing but now vacant, was constructed on Ark. 387 for use in the film.

The soil around Bluff City is very sandy and well suited for most any crop, especially watermelons. The Arkansas Forestry Commission operates a seed orchard here, which was formerly a pine seedling nursery. The well drained soil is very suitable for this type of operation. Today, the area is a favorite spot for deer hunting. White Oak Lake State Park  is located here. This quiet state park is situated on White Oak Lake, a popular fishing lake. Watchable wildlife and birding opportunities also abound here. Poison Springs Battleground State Park is just 8 miles away.