Situated in the northeast quarter of Arkansas lies Walnut Ridge, a town with deep roots in the agriculture industry. Soybeans, rice, corn and wheat are some of the main crops grown and harvested here. The area also has strong ties to various forms of transportation.
The downtown area has recently been revitalized, making its rich musical heritage, including a visit by the infamous Beatles, a one-of-a-kind, unique destination. The downtown is home to unique attractions, fabulous food, and quirk boutiques and shops.
Highway 67, Highway 63, and Highway 412 all cross through the city limits of Walnut Ridge. Highway 67, which is often referred to as the Rock ‘N’ Roll Highway, stretches through the heart of Walnut Ridge. Some of the biggest names in music, like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, all cruised this stretch of highway playing their way across the region.
The most notorious visitors to Walnut Ridge, however, were The Beatles. This iconic group landed at the jet charter airport in Walnut Ridge, which largely went unnoticed except by a few local teenagers. After spreading the word, a large crowd of screaming fans awaited the band’s return a few days later. This prompted the creation of the Beatles Sculpture, which depicts the British band as they appear on the infamous Abbey Road album cover.
The Wings of Honor Museum, originally founded as the Walnut Ridge Army Flying School Museum, now showcases the rich history of civilian and military personnel from Arkansas who served in WWII. It’s absolutely worth visiting while staying in Walnut Ridge.
