History of West Memphis, Arkansas
West Memphis is the largest city in Crittenden County, Arkansas|Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 28,181, ranking it as the state's 14th largest city, behind Bentonville, Arkansas|Bentonville.{{cite web | year = June 21 2006 | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2005-04-05.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Arkansas | format = Comma-separated values|CSV | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | accessdate = November 16 | accessyear = 2006}} It is considered part of the Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis metropolitan area, and is located directly across the Mississippi River from Memphis.
West Memphis is nationally known as the site of a 1993 triple murder in the Robin Hood Hills neighborhood. Two documentary films Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills Paradise Lost 2: Revelations and an award-winning book Devil's Knot by Mara Leveritt raise doubt about the guilt of the three teenagers, known as the West Memphis 3, who were convicted of the crime.
West Memphis was the home of Sonny Boy Williamson II, influential blues singer and harmonica player. One of his songs, West Memphis Blues, tells the story of how his home there was damaged by fire in 1949. The song mentions several local personalities, white and black, who supported him when he was falsely accused of arson.
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