Hughes

Settlement of the area that became Hughes began around 1836 and, like much of the Arkansas Delta, grew in importance with the coming of the railroads in the late 1800s. The town was named for Robert Hughes, who donated part of his land to the Missouri Pacific Railroad company in 1910.

The town was incorporated in 1916 and the town’s population grew. The Flood of 1927 was a major set-back for the region, with the Red Cross caring for 4,000 flood refugees in Hughes.   Three years later, drought and the beginning of the Great Depression led to significant poverty for Hughes and other Delta towns dependent on agriculture.  A Prisoner of War branch was established near Hughes during World War II to house German prisoners, thus providing workers for area farms that had lost laborers to the war. 

Today Hughes is the second-largest town in St. Francis County, with a population just under 1500. It is less than 30 miles from West Memphis and is on the Great River Road National Scenic Byway.  East of town, Horseshoe Lake is a main attraction. An oxbow cut-off from the main channel of the Mississippi River, the lake is known for its massive stands of ancient cypress trees, along with excellent fishing and boating opportunities. Private homes, cabins, and other vacations rentals are available around the lake.