North Crossett is a rural community in South Arkansas near Crossett
North Crossett is a small community in South Arkansas with residents who take the time to get to know each other. “It’s a great place to live because we have some of the nicest people in the world,” says local Realtor Ginger Pittman of the Rawls-Campbell Agency. She’s sold homes across the community since 1990 and lives in Crossett. “When somebody has a tragedy, we pitch in. It’s not just ‘help your neighbor’ around here; you pitch in and help everyone.” Residents enjoy supporting locally owned restaurants in the neighboring community of Crossett, and it’s common to see a familiar face while at dinner or out running errands. “We have a saying that if you get lonesome, go to Walmart,” Pittman says. North Crossett and Crossett are home to several churches that engage the community through local sports leagues and frequent events.
A slow-moving market with established homes
Most homes were built in the 20th century, and new construction is limited. “Our market has not really caught up with other towns,” Pittman says. “Therefore, building new homes is not as feasible.” Residents tend to hold onto their homes. “People know they’re going to be here forever, so they go ahead and build their forever home.” Most homes are mid-to-late 20th-century ranch styles, but there are also a couple of cottages and bungalows built before the 1950s. Prices range from $10,000 for a home needing repairs to $280,000 for a nearly 2,000-square-foot home on a 14-acre lot. Homes typically sit on lots under two acres, but several properties sprawl across 10-plus acres. The community’s narrow backroads remain relatively shaded by towering trees, and most yards are full of oaks and pines.
Crossett High School offers several student clubs and extracurriculars
The Crossett School District scores an overall C on Niche and serves over 1,600 students across its three schools. Crossett Elementary scores a C, Crossett Middle has a C-minus and Crossett High has a C-plus. The high school offers various clubs and sports, from tennis and cross country to Dungeons and Dragons and book club.
Outdoor recreation is popular at nearby parks and on the Ouachita Rive
North Crossett residents enjoy the public green spaces and parks of Crossett, just south. Crossett City Park is a hub of outdoor recreation, featuring several sports facilities that overlook Lucas Pond. “The churches all have recreational leagues that meet up and have games,” Pittman says. A 3-mile walking path runs along the pond’s edge, shaded by towering trees and dotted with picnic tables and benches. The pond is stocked with fish, and anglers cast a line from one of the three fishing piers or a boat. The Scott McCormick Sports Complex is another center of recreational sports, home to several baseball, softball and multi-use fields. North Crossett is about 11 miles away from the Crossett Harbor Recreation Site, where it’s common for boaters to pop in the Ouachita River. The Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge sprawls across 76,000 acres, with water trails, campgrounds and fishing piers. It’s also a popular spot for hunting.
Crossett features several stores and locally owned restaurants
North Crossett has a few stores, including Cashsaver and Dollar General, but locals take the short trip south to Crossett for shopping and dining. “If anyone wants a good steak, they know to go to Beech St. Bistro,” Pittman says. The bistro is known for its Creole fare, including specialty items like Adricole’s Gumbo and Me-Oh-My Crawfish Pie. Locals also enjoy takeout at Catfish Express, which offers catfish plates and boiled shrimp with sides like hushpuppies and coleslaw. Pittman says that locals have several options for grocery shopping. “We have Brookshire’s, Cashsaver and Walmart, so we’re totally blessed with places to get groceries,” she says. Crossett also features several fast-food spots, including Popeye’s and McDonald’s.
Navigating Ashley County
North Crossett is a car-dependent community offering access to State Highways 133 and 52. Crossett is about 3 miles south, and Hamburg is an 11-mile trip northeast. U.S. Route 82 cuts through the heart of Crossett, serving as the main east-west thoroughfare. The Ashley County Medical Center is one of the nearest medical facilities, about 3 miles away. South Arkansas is one of the closest commercial airports, offering flights about 56 miles west in El Dorado.
Written By
Brennen Martin
