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. 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. Many plantation homes are also located in the county. As of the 2000 census, Chicot County had a population of 14,117 residents.