August 3, 2010

For most of the twentieth century, the Izard County town of Calico Rock was home to one of the most unusual street configurations in the United States. The main street, which is now Highway 5, was a few feet higher on one side than it was on the other. The split elevation resulted in a so-called upper street and lower street. For safety purposes, a stone wall was built to divide the two levels of this unique street. This oddly configured street, which is clearly shown in this 1930s photograph, has since been converted to one level.