Caulksville and Ratcliff, Arkansas

These are two very small rural communities situated along State Highway 22 in western Logan County, Arkansas. Their populations have remained fairly stable in the 175-300 range each over several decades. Life here is simple and enjoyable. As you might guess, everyone knows everyone, and there are few secrets.

The two towns are incorporated, which means that each has its own city government and there are definite legal city limits. Because it lies across the intersection of Highways 22 and 23, Caulksville has most of the commerce in the area, while Ratcliff has the post office, fire station and medical clinic. Why the two cities do not consolidate has been a matter of speculation for those of us who do not actually live there, but there are rumored to have been some strong feelings against the combination because of old animosities of some sort or another.

The children in the area attend County Line schools, which lies between Ratcliff and Branch, another town of about the same size just a few miles farther east. County Line is in itself an interesting story, having been a consolidation of even smaller rural school districts several years back. The line between Logan and Franklin Counties runs right through the school complex.

As in most small rural communities, much of the social life centers around the schools, with basketball games being a big draw. County Line actually owns a state championship in both boys' and girls' basketball from back during the 1970s and '80s. There are other congregating places, however. The two convenience stores in Caulksville draw a lot of traffic, as does Shane's Restaurant. The sale barn lies to the east of Ratcliff and once a week has a sizable crowd. As pictured below, there was once even a bowling alley in Caulksville.