Earle owes its start to the lumber industry boom which occurred after the Civil War. A railroad built through the Southern part of Earle around 1888 benefited the city’s economy. The widow of a landowner of considerable holdings built a depot to encourage the railroad to make a stop in the city. The depot was replaced in the 1920 and ceased operations in the 1960’s when the railroad discontinued passenger and freight stops. The Crittenden County museum is housed in the restored Missouri Pacific train depot which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum’s exhibits display items related to cotton farming, the local broom-making factory, early churches, schools and doctors. In addition the museum has on display art works of a nationally acclaimed artist who is a native son of Earle.