Reed (Desha County)

Historical Population as per the U.S. Census:

Reed of Desha County is a small community on U.S. Highway 65, six miles north of McGehee (Desha County). It was established as a predominately African-American community in the mid-twentieth century.

Much of the impetus for the creation of Reed lay in the emergence of Mitchellville (Desha County), which arose following World War II when the government provided land north of Dumas to returning soldiers. Mitchellville became something of a model black community, its leaders working with white leaders from Dumas to get proper sewer, water, and street improvements. African Americans around McGehee and Tillar (Drew and Desha counties) were thus motivated by a desire to govern themselves and follow Mitchellville’s example. In 1961, they incorporated the town of Reed in an area where a long-standing, prominent black community had already existed. The town was named for Roosevelt Reed, who operated a large general store. At the time of incorporation, several businesses operated there, including a post office, which closed in 1990. Mail service is currently provided through Tillar.

There was never a school at Reed. Students are bussed to McGehee. There are no businesses currently operating at Reed; however, Reed continues to function as a municipality. Earlier business have been closed for many years. A few churches still conduct services in Reed. Farming remains the major industry in the area. Many residents work in nearby towns.

For additional information:
Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southeast Arkansas. Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1890.

Images from the Past: A Pictorial History of Desha County, Arkansas and Southeast Arkansas Delta. Marceline, MO: Heritage House, 1992.

Programs of the Desha County Historical Society. McGehee: Desha County Historical Society (1974–).

Helen Pennington
Pine Bluff, Arkansas