Kingsland in Cleveland County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Johnny Cash Birthplace
The man known to the world as Johnny Cash was born near here, in the home of his grandparents, John Lewis and Rosanna Hurst Rivers, on February 26, 1932. The family doctor was not able to arrive in time for his birth, so a midwife, Mrs. Grace Easterling, performed the delivery. Sometime later, when the doctor arrived, Ray and Carrie Rivers Cash had only agreed on the initials “J.R." for their newborn son. A few days later in the Cross Roads Community Section of the Cleveland County Herald, was the following announcement: “Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Ray Cash a 11 pound boy, February 26. He has been named John R."
Also born at the Rivers home were Johnny's siblings: Roy, Louise, Jack and Reba. Even though the children were born at their grandparents' home, Ray and Carrie lived on the 500 acre farm of Ray's brother, Dave Cash, which was located to the north near the Saline River. From that location one could hear the trains as they crossed the river on the old Cotton Belt Railroad Line. During the Great Depression, in 1935, Ray and Carrie moved the family to the Dyess Colony in Mississippi County. Over the years, Johnny would often return to this area to visit with family and old friends.
Erected 2021 by Cleveland County Historical Society. (Marker Number 20.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is February 26, 1932.
Location. 33° 54.666′ N, 92° 18.924′ W. Marker is in Kingsland, Arkansas, in Cleveland County. Marker is at the intersection of Crossroads Road and Sims Road, on the right when traveling north on Crossroads Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9990 Crossroads Rd, Kingsland AR 71652, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Johnny Cash Returns (approx. 3.8 miles away); Johnny Cash Day in Arkansas / Johnny Cash 1976 Concert (approx. 7.8 miles away); Cash Family Reunions / Johnny Cash, AKA "William Overton" (approx. 7.9 miles away); Road to Marks' Mills / Battle of Marks' Mills (approx. 8.8 miles away); Shelby's Approach (approx. 9.4 miles away); Cleveland County Battle of Mark's Mill (approx. 9.4 miles away); The Battle Had Begun! (approx. 9˝ miles away); The Battle at Marks' Mill (approx. 9.6 miles away).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Johnny Cash. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on September 17, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Johnny Cash. Official website homepage (Submitted on September 17, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,742 times since then and 542 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 6, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on September 17, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5. submitted on April 6, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 6. submitted on February 19, 2024.