The scenic White River flows through Independence County where the Ozark Mountains meet the flat lands of the Delta. This volume choronicles the development of the county from its early pioneer days through the 20th century. In addition to Batesville-the second oldest town in Arkansas and the county seat-Independence County, Arkansas documents the history of Cord, Cushman, Hickory Valley, Jamestown, Newark, Oil Trough, Pleasant Plains, and other communities in nearly 200 vintage images. Independence County was created by the Arkansas Territorial Legislature on October 20, 1820. Settled long before then, the region had been claimed by both Spain and France. In 1819, an early traveler described Polk Bayou as being "pleasant and advantageous as a commercial and agricultural depot." The photographs in this book, many never before published, date back to the earliest days of the county, including some of the earliest homes in the area.