Jonesboro, one of the state's most progressive cities, was established in 1859 among the rolling hills of Crowley's Ridge in northeast Arkansas. Downtown is filled with gift shops, restaurants, art galleries, a day spa and an active civic center called the
Forum.
Arkansas State University offers one of the mid-South's finest museums, a fine arts center and an indoor sports/entertainment complex. The
Forrest L . Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center provides an interesting tour of the natural wonders of the region, plus serves as a stop along
Crowley's Ridge National Scenic Byway.
The town is located along Davidson’s Approach, a movement of U.S. General John Wynn Davidson’s troops during the 1863 Little Rock Campaign, and U.S. General Frederick Steele’s movement during the second phase of the Pea Ridge Campaign. These along with other historic Civil War routes and significant movements as the Trail of Tears and the Southwest Trail, are now part of the Arkansas Heritage Trails System.