Seniors Find Lake Village Chic

 Nestled on the banks of beautiful Lake Chicot, Lake Village is a natural for the senior outdoor enthusiast or the amateur historian. Life in Lake Village, population 2500+, for both the young and the “young at heart”, epitomizes the hometown hospitality of southeast Arkansas and the Delta.

Lake Village is named for its location on Lake Chicot.  Apparently the lake formed in 1350 when the Mississippi River changed its route, leaving a thin horseshoe shaped lake that was part of the old river route.

According to a popular legend, the remains of Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto might be buried under Lake Chicot back in the 1500′s. He was given a water burial in Lake Chicot on his way back to the Gulf of Mexico after his discovery of the State of Arkansas. It is said that Charles Lindbergh made his first nighttime flight over Lake Chicot and Lake Village in April 1923.

 Senior Historians Drawn to Lake Village

Lake Village has nine properties listed on the National Register of  Historic Places. The nearby Lakeport Plantation is also on that listing.

The Lake Village Commercial Historic District, with 38 buildings, reflects the growth of Lake Village as a nucleus of commerce and trade in southeast Arkansas,” the National Register nomination says.

Nationally known for its ability to produce record large mouth bass, Lake Chicot also offers an abundance of crappie, bream and catfish for the avid senior angler. With over 20 miles of waterfront and four public launching ramps, even the novice fisherman can be assured the “Catch of the Day.”

Lake Village is the county seat of Chicot County.  The economy is agricultural based. The crops grown are mainly cotton, soybeans and wheat. There is also a large aquacultural base consisting mainly of catfish farmers. The Mississippi Delta’s captivating beauty and recreational opportunities come together at Lake Chicot.

 Seniors Enjoy Fishing, Boating And Birdwatching

Cut off centuries ago from the main channel when the Mississippi River changed course, this 20-mile long oxbow lake is a peaceful setting for fishing, boating, and bird watching. Lake Chicot State Park offers cabins, campgrounds, a marina and other recreational opportunities.

The park’s visitor center contains exhibits on area history and natural resources and has free brochures detailing self-guided Mississippi River levee and Civil War tours.

The lake was discovered by the French explorer LaSalle in 1686 and was given the name “Isle de Chicot” which means island of stumps. He gave it this name because of the many cypress knees he mistakenly thought were stumps.

In late summer, small cypresses across from the park sometimes appear as if covered with snow as hundreds of wading birds, including great and snowy egrets, fly in to roost. Warm-season, evening barge tours of a swampy area at the lake’s north end reveal alligators, owls, raccoons and other wildlife. I think that senior travelers will really enjoy a visit to Lake Village.

Come and take it all in for yourself.  jeb