Chicot County

Chicot County, a rich, flat farmland, was formed October 1823 by the Territorial Legislature from part of Arkansas County. Its name was thought to have come from the French word "chicot" (stumpy) for the many cypress knees along the river. Lake Village is the county seat. Chicot County is the state's southeastern-most county and is well known for its rich, fertile soil that often reaches 1,200 feet (world average seven inches). Agriculture is strong; cotton, rice and soybeans are the big three with catfish farming and processing gaining, with the capabilities of processing up to 170,000 pounds a day. Lake Chicot offers many recreational opportunities. The lake is 22 miles long and is the largest oxbow lake in the nation. At the end of the lake, the state park offers cabins, a swimming pool, fishing, boating, camping, tours, picnicking, and many other recreational opportunities. On stilts in the lake sets the only tourist information center in the state completely heated and cooled by solar energy. Rich history abounds in the county in such landmarks as New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, founded by a slave before the Civil War. Many plantation homes are also located in the county. The courthouse is located on the banks of the lake with the jury room having a spectacular view of the lake.