Delta Roads and Travels - Indian Bay, Arkansas

     Although an unincorporated community in southern Monroe County, Indian Bay has a fascinating and long history. The first inhabitants of this area were the Native Americans who hunted and fished this land along the White River. Then came modern day Arkansans in search of new country to farm. According to documentation, the first surveys were completed about 1825, and soon a small settlement was started known as Warsaw. By the 1850s however, it was called Indian Bay, and several businesses were operating there along with a cotton gin. The town became a popular stop for steamboats coming up the White River from Memphis and a post office opened on July 3, 1860. William Enoch Moore was the first postmaster and served as Monroe County Coroner in 1858. Another prominent early settler was William Mayo who owned a large plantation.
     On the verge of the American Civil War, there were at least three mercantile establishments at Indian Bay, along with a doctor. Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, O.H. Oates, also had a large farm nearby. Another wealthy resident was B.J. Lambert. His family had moved to Indian Bay early on and were well respected members of the community. 

     When Arkansas seceded from the Union in 1861, sentiment at Indian Bay sided with the confederacy. Both young and older men rushed to join a company being organized by Captain Oliver Hillard Oates. This included both William Mayo and William Moore. Their company would eventually be designated Company E of the 25th Arkansas Infantry. Mayo was allowed to leave the regiment and return to Monroe County, where he would organize a band of partisans. They were involved in a skirmish with the 56th United States Colored Infantry from Helena on April 16, 1864, near Indian Bay. William Moore was promoted to Captain of Company E but lose his life at the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1864. Unfortunately, the end of the Civil War in 1865 did not return tranquility to the small village of Indian Bay.

     On October 22, 1868, Congressman James Hinds was assassinated near Indian Bay and his friend Joseph Brooks was severely wounded. They both belonged to the Republican Party and their attacker was motivated by political differences. James Hinds is one of only six members in the history of the U.S. Congress to have been murdered.

In 1886, a lengthy article appeared in the Daily Arkansas Gazette that touted the growth of Indian Bay. In addition to describing the large farms and agricultural endeavors of local families, it listed the businesses in town. There were four general merchants, one grocer, a sawmill, two blacksmiths, three carpenters, a steamboat agent, two physicians, and two hotels. Things looked promising for this community. In fact, the only problem stated was a lack of labor.

     Alas, hard times fell on Indian Bay about the same time as the above article was written. Levee construction changed the course of waterflow in eastern Arkansas. Then came a series of devastating floods, which caused many people to move. A few hearty souls continued to make Indian Bay home, nevertheless. In 1923, residents were excited when the state proposed a new highway from Indian Bay to Marvell. They met at Jackson's Store, which was the local post office, and endorsed the project. Although this highway would eventually be constructed, the downturn at Indian Bay continued. On February 12,1932, the post office was closed, and all mail sent to Holly Grove.

     The Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge, as it is known today, was established on September 5, 1935, and contains 160,000 acres. Indian Bay lies within this beautiful wildlife sanctuary, consisting of wetlands and lush forests. There are a number of lodges and homes still located at Indian Bay, but the permanent population remains small. Thousands of hunters and fishermen visit the wildlife refuge every year though. Indian Bay continues to be a popular place for these welcome visitors and locals who choose to live in this wonderful natural delta home. #arkansashistory #monroecountyarkansas #indianbayarkansas #deltatowns #MainStreetMonday #deltatravels #deltahistory #whiterivernationalwildliferefuge #deltaroads #deltaroadsandtravels

Sources:

Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas) 19 July 1866. Thu. Page 1

Weekly Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas) 27 Oct. 1868, Tue. Page 3

Arkansas True Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas) 20 Oct. 1858, Wed. Page 1

Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas) 20 March 1886, Sat. Page 3

Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, Arkansas) 1 May 1897, Sat. Page 2

Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, Arkansas) 4 Jan. 1923, Thur. Page 2

The Journal-Advance (Gentry, Arkansas) 13 March 1930, Thur. Page 2

Ancestry.com - William Enoch Moore - retrieved 1/14/23

Ancestry.com - Post Offices at Indian Bay - retrieved 1/14/23

Photographs taken at Indian Bay in January 2023.

Teske, Steven. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies. Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Indian Bay- Monroe County. https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/.../indian-bay-monroe...

Yarbrough, Sharon. Searcy, Arkansas. Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge. https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/dale-bumpers-white...

Stanton, Amanda. North Little Rock, Arkansas. Encyclopedia of Arkansas. James Hinds (1833-1868). https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/james-hinds