A post office called Tipton Ford was established in 1890, and remained in operation until 1923.[3] The community was named for a ford across Shoal Creek near the home of the Tipton family.[4]
In August 1914, tragedy struck Tipton Ford, when a Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad locomotive collided with another train, a result of faulty communication. Thirty-eight passengers and five crew members were killed. From 1906 to 1946, the M&NA provided passenger and freight service from Joplin to Helena in eastern Arkansas.[5]