text:
Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Pine Bluff is the 10th most populous city in the US state of Arkansas and the county seat of Jefferson County. It is the principal city of the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff Combined Statistical Area. The population of the city was 41,253 in the 2020 census.

The city is situated in the Southeast section of the Arkansas Delta and straddles the Arkansas Timberlands region to its west. Its topography is flat with wide expanses of farmland, similar to other places in the Delta Lowlands. Pine Bluff has numerous creeks, streams, and bayous, including Bayou Bartholomew, the longest bayou in the world and the second most ecologically diverse stream in the United States. Large bodies of water include Lake Pine Bluff, Lake Langhofer (Slack Water Harbor), and the Arkansas River.

Pre-Columbian era to colonial era
The area along the Arkansas River had been inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous peoples of various cultures. They used the river for transportation as did European settlers after them, and for fishing. By the time of encounter with Europeans, the historical Quapaw were the chief people in the area, having migrated from the Ohio River valley centuries before.

The city of Pine Bluff was founded on a high bank of the Arkansas River heavily forested with tall pine trees. The high ground furnished settlers a safe haven from annual flooding. Joseph Bonne, a Métis fur trader and trapper of mixed Quapaw and colonial French ancestry, settled on this bluff in 1819.

1824–1860: Antebellum era
After the Quapaw signed a treaty with the United States in 1824 relinquishing their title to all the lands which they claimed in Arkansas, many other American settlers began to join Bonne on the bluff. In 1829 Thomas Phillips claimed a half section of land where Pine Bluff is located. Jefferson County was established by the Territorial Legislature on November 2, 1829, and began functioning as a county April 19, 1830.

At the August 13, 1832, county election, the pine bluff settlement was chosen as the county seat. The Quorum Court voted to name the village "Pine Bluff Town" on October 16, 1832. Pine Bluff was incorporated January 8, 1839, by the order of County Judge Taylor. At the time, the village had about 50 residents. Improved transportation aided in the growth of Pine Bluff during the 1840s and 1850s.

With its proximity to the Arkansas River, the small town served as a port for travel and shipping. Steamships provided the primary mode of transport, arriving from downriver ports such as New Orleans. From 1832 to 1838, Pine Bluff residents would see Native American migrants on the Trail of Tears waterway who were being forcibly removed by the US Army from the American Southeast to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.

From 1832 to 1858, Pine Bluff was also a station on the passage of Seminole and Black Seminoles, who were forcibly removed from Florida to the Territory. They included the legendary Black Seminole leader John Horse, who arrived in the city via the steamboat Swan in 1842.

1861–1900: Civil War, Reconstruction and beyond
Pine Bluff was prospering by the outbreak of the Civil War; most of its wealth was based on the commodity crop of cotton. This was cultivated on large plantations by hundreds of thousands of enslaved Africans throughout the state, but especially in the Delta. The city had one of the largest slave populations in the state by 1860, and Jefferson County, Arkansas was second in cotton production in the state. When Union forces occupied Little Rock, a group of Pine Bluff residents asked commanding Major General Frederick Steele to send Union forces to occupy their town to protect them from bands of Confederate bushwhackers. Union troops under Colonel Powell Clayton arrived September 17, 1863, and stayed until the war was over.

Confederate General J.S. Marmaduke tried to expel the Union Army in the Battle of Pine Bluff October 25, 1863, but was repulsed by a combined effort of soldiers and freedmen (former slaves freed by the Emancipation Proclamation). In the final year of the war, the 1st Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry (Colored) (composed primarily of escaped slaves from Arkansas and Missouri), was the first African-American regiment in the civil war to go into combat. It was dispatched to guard Pine Bluff and was eventually mustered out there.

Because of the Union forces, Pine Bluff attracted many refugees and freedmen after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in early 1863. The Union forces set up a contraband camp there to house the runaway slaves and refugees behind Confederate lines. After the war, freed slaves worked with the American Missionary Association to start schools for the education of blacks, who had been prohibited from learning to read and write by southern laws. Both adults and children eagerly started learning. By September 1872, Professor Joseph C. Corbin opened the Branch Normal School of the Arkansas Industrial University, a historically black college. Founded as Arkansas's first black public college, today it is the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Pine Bluff and the region suffered lasting effects from defeat, the aftermath of war, and the trauma of slavery and exploitation. Recovery was slow at first. Construction of railroads improved access to markets, and with increased production of cotton as more plantations were reactivated, the economy began to recover. The first railroad reached Pine Bluff in December 1873. This same year Pine Bluff's first utility was formed when Pine Bluff Gas Company began furnishing manufactured gas from coke fuel for lighting purposes. The state's economy remained highly dependent on cotton and agriculture, which suffered a decline through the 19th century.

As personal fortunes increased from the 1870s onward, community leaders constructed large Victorian-style homes west of Main Street. Meanwhile, the Reconstruction era of the 1870s brought a stark mix of progress and challenge for African Americans. Most blacks joined the Republican Party, and several were elected in Pine Bluff to county offices and the state legislature for the first time in history. Several black-owned businesses were also opened, including banks, bars, barbershops, and other establishments. But in postwar violence in 1866, an altercation with whites ensued at a refugee camp, and 24 black men, women and children were found hanging from trees in one of the worst mass lynchings in U.S. history.

The rate of lynchings of black males was high across the South during this period of social tensions and white resistance to Reconstruction. Armistad Johnson was lynched in 1889, and John Kelly and Gulbert Harris in 1892 in front of the Jefferson County Courthouse, after a mob of hundreds rapidly escalated to thousands of whites vehemently demanding execution, despite Kelly's pleas of innocence and lack of trial. The angry mob eventually forced over his custody from an Officer adamantly attempting to deliver the suspect to the jail house, then the crowd watched enthusiastically as he was hung and riddled with bullets. That same year the state adopted a poll tax amendment that disenfranchised many African-American and poor white voters. The Election Law of 1891 had already made voting more difficult and also caused voter rolls to decrease. With the Democratic Party consolidating its power in what became a one-party state, the atmosphere was grim toward the end of the 19th century for many African Americans. Democrats imposed legal segregation and other Jim Crow laws.

Bishop Henry McNeal Turner's "Back to Africa" movement attracted numbers of local African-American residents who purchased tickets and/or sought information on emigration. Arkansas had 650 emigrants depart to the colony of Liberia in West Africa, more than from any other state in the United States. The majority of these emigrants came from the black-majority Jefferson, St. Francis, Pulaski, Pope, and Conway counties.

According to historian James Leslie, Pine Bluff entered its "Golden Era" in the 1880s. Cotton production and river commerce helped the city draw industries, public institutions and residents to the area, making it by 1890 the state's third-largest city. The first telephone system was placed in service March 31, 1883. Wiley Jones, a freedman who achieved wealth by his own business, built the first mule-drawn, street-car line in October 1886. The first light, power and water plant was completed in 1887; a more dependable light and water system was put in place in 1912. Throughout the 1880s and 1890s, economic expansion was also fueled by the growing lumber industry in the region.

1900–1941: 1900 through the Great Depression
Situated on the Arkansas River, Pine Bluff depended on river traffic and trade. Community leaders were concerned that the main channel would leave the city. The United States Army Corps of Engineers built a levee opposite Pine Bluff to try to keep the river flowing by the city.

During a later flood, the main channel of the river moved away from the city, leaving a small oxbow lake (later expanded into Lake Pine Bluff). River traffic diminished, even as the river was a barrier separating one part of the county from the other. After many years of regional haggling, because the bond issue involved raised taxes, the county built the Free Bridge, which opened in 1914. For the first time, it united the county on a permanent basis.

African Americans in Pine Bluff were damaged by the state's disfranchisement in 1891–1892 and exclusion from the political system. But they continued to work for their rights; they joined activists in Little Rock and Hot Springs in a sustained boycott of streetcars, protesting passage in 1903 of the Segregated Streetcar Act, part of a series of Jim Crow laws passed by the white-dominated legislature. They did not achieve change then.

Development in the city's business district grew rapidly. The Masonic Lodge, built by and for the African-American chapter in the city, was the tallest building in Pine Bluff when completed in 1904. The Hotel Pines, constructed in 1912, had an intricate marble interior and classical design, and was considered one of Arkansas' showcase hotels. The 1,500-seat Saenger Theater, built in 1924, was one of the largest such facilities in the state; it operated the state's largest pipe organ. When Dollarway Road was completed in 1914, it was the longest continuous stretch of concrete road in the United States. The first radio station (WOK) broadcast in Arkansas occurred in Pine Bluff on February 18, 1922.

Two natural disasters had devastating effects on the area's economy. The first was the Great Flood of 1927, a 100-year flood. Due to levee breaks, most of northern and southeastern Jefferson County were flooded. The severe drought of 1930 caused another failure of crops, adding to the problems of economic conditions during the Great Depression. Pine Bluff residents scrambled to survive. In 1930, two of the larger banks failed.

The state's highway construction program in the later 1920s and early 1930s, facilitating trade between Pine Bluff and other communities throughout southeast Arkansas, was critical to Jefferson County, too. After the inauguration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933, he launched many government programs to benefit local communities. Through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and public works funding, Pine Bluff built new schools and a football stadium, and developed Oakland Park as its first major recreation facility. To encourage diversification in agriculture, the county built a stockyard in 1936 to serve as a sales outlet for farmers' livestock.

From 1936 to 1938, the WPA through the Federal Writers Project initiated a project to collect and publish oral histories of former slaves. Writers were sent throughout the South to interview former slaves, most of whom had been children before the Civil War. When the project was complete, Arkansas residents had contributed more oral slave histories (approximately 780) than any other state, although Arkansas' slave population was less than those of neighboring Deep South states. African-American residents of Pine Bluff/Jefferson County contributed more oral interviews of Arkansas-born slaves than any other city/county in the state. The city served to compile a valuable storehouse of oral slave narrative material.

During the 1933 Mississippi River flood, country singer Johnny Cash evacuated to Pine Bluff.

1941–1960: World War II and economic diversification
World War II brought profound changes to Pine Bluff and its agriculture, timber and railroad-oriented economy. The Army built Grider Field Airport which housed the Pine Bluff School of Aviation and furnished flight training for air cadets for the Army Air Corps. At one time 275 aircraft were being used to train 758 pilots. Approximately 9,000 pilots had been trained by the time the school closed in October 1944.

The Army broke ground for the Pine Bluff Arsenal on December 2, 1941, on 15,000 acre bought north of the city. The arsenal and Grider Field changed Pine Bluff to a more diversified economy with a mixture of industry and agriculture. The addition of small companies to the industrial base helped the economy remain steady in the late 1940s. Defense spending in association with the Korean War was a stabilizing factor after 1950.

In 1957, Richard Anderson announced the construction of a kraft paper mill north of the city. International Paper Co. shortly afterward bought a plant site five miles east of Pine Bluff. Residential developments followed for expected workers. The next year young minister Martin Luther King Jr. addressed students at the commencement program for Arkansas AM&N College (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff).

1960–present: The modern era
The decade of the 1960s brought heightened activism in the civil rights movement: through boycotts and demonstrations, African Americans demanded an end to segregated public facilities and jobs. Some whites responded with violence, attacking demonstrators, and bombing a black church in Pine Bluff in 1963. Some civil rights demonstrators were shot. Local leaders worked tirelessly, at times enlisting the support of national figures such as Dick Gregory and Stokely Carmichael, to help bring about change over the period. Voter registration drives that enabled increased black political participation, selective buying campaigns, student protests, and a desire among white local business leaders to avoid damaging negative media portrayals in the national media led to reforms in public accommodations.

During the 1960s and 1970s, major construction projects in the region included private and public sponsors: Jefferson Hospital (now Jefferson Regional Medical Center), the dams of the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System on the Arkansas River (which was diverted from the city to create Lake Langhofer), a Federal building, the Pine Bluff Convention Center complex including The Royal Arkansas Hotel & Suites, Pine Bluff Regional Park, two industrial parks and several large churches.

The 1980s and 1990s brought a number of significant construction projects. Benny Scallion Park was created, named for the alderman who brought a Japanese garden to the Pine Bluff Civic Center. The city has not maintained the garden, but a small plaque remains. In the late 1980s, The Pines, the first large, enclosed shopping center, was constructed on the east side of the city. The mall attracted increased shopping traffic from southeast Arkansas.

The most important construction project of the 1990s was completion of a southern bypass, designated part of Interstate 530. In addition, a highway and bridge across Lock and Dam #4 were completed, providing another link between farm areas in northeastern Jefferson County and the transportation system radiating from Pine Bluff. Through a private matching grant, a multimillion-dollar Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas was completed downtown in 1994.

In 2000, construction was completed on the 43000 sqft Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center. Carl Redus became the first African American mayor in the city's history in 2005. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff recently opened a $3 million business incubator in downtown Pine Bluff. Also, a new $2 million farmers market pavilion was opened in 2010 on Lake Pine Bluff in downtown Pine Bluff.

Shirley Washington is the first female African American mayor. She was elected in 2016.

Beginning around 2020, Utah based entrepreneur John Fenley, owner of the music streaming service Murfie, began buying properties in Pine Bluff for redevelopment.

Geography
Pine Bluff is on the Arkansas River; the community was named for a bluff along that river. Both Lake Pine Bluff and Lake Langhofer are situated within the city limits, as these are bodies of water which are remnants of the historical Arkansas River channel. (The former is a man-made expansion of a natural oxbow; the latter was created by diking the old channel after a man-made diversion.) Consequently, the Mississippi Alluvial Plain (or the Arkansas Delta) runs well into the city with Bayou Bartholomew picking up the western border as a line of demarcation between the Arkansas Delta and the Arkansas Timberlands.

A series of levees and dams surrounds the area to provide for flood control and protect from channel shift. One of the world's longest individual levees at 380 miles runs from Pine Bluff to Venice, Louisiana.

Metropolitan statistical area
Pine Bluff is the largest city in a three-county MSA as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau including Jefferson, Cleveland, and Lincoln counties. The Pine Bluff MSA population in 2000 was 107,341 people. The Pine Bluff MSA population in 2007 dropped to 101,484. Pine Bluff was the fastest-declining Arkansas MSA from 2000 to 2007. The Pine Bluff area is also a component of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff Combined Statistical Area which had a population of 902,443 people in the 2014 U.S. census estimate.

Climate
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 46.8 sqmi, of which 45.6 sqmi is land and 1.2 sqmi (2.65%) is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 41,253 people, and 16,086 households.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 49,083 people, 18,071 households, and 11,594 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,048.8 PD/sqmi. There were 20,923 housing units at an average density of 447.1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 75.6% Black or African American, 21.8% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. 1.5% of the population were Latino of any race.

There were 18,071 households, out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.3% were married couples living together, 27.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 13.4% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,415, and the median income for a family was $39,993. Males had a median income of $38,333 versus $28,936 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,334. About 24.3% of families and 30.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.6% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.

Crime
Pine Bluff had 23 homicides in 2021. Pine Bluff had 23 murders in 2020 - a rate of 56.5 murders per 100,000 people. The national average was 6.5 murders per 100,000 people in 2020.

Economy
Jefferson County is located in the heart of a rich agricultural area in the Arkansas River Basin. The leading products include cotton, soybeans, cattle, rice, poultry, timber and catfish.

Major area employers include Jefferson Regional Medical Center, Simmons First National Corp., Tyson Foods, Evergreen Packaging, the Pine Bluff Arsenal and the Union Pacific Railroad. It is the large number of paper mills in the area that give Pine Bluff its, at times, distinctive odor, a feature known prominently among Arkansans.

In 2009, Pine Bluff was included on the Forbes list of America's 10 most impoverished cities.

Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff was the first purpose-built casino in Arkansas. Completed in 2020 at a cost of $350 million, it will employ over 1,100 full-time staff.

Arts and culture
The Pine Bluff Convention Center is one of the state's largest meeting facilities. The Arts and Science Center features theatrical performances and workshops for children and adults. Pine Bluff did also boast the only Band Museum in the country but it has closed. Other areas of interest include downtown murals depicting the history of Pine Bluff, the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Historical Museum, Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Railroad Museum.

The King Cotton Classic, which ran from 1982 to 1999, was one of the premier high school basketball tournaments in the country. It featured many future NBA players, including Corliss Williamson and Jason Kidd. The King Cotton Holiday Classic returned to the Pine Bluff Convention Center on December 27, 2018, as part of Go Forward, headed by Sam Glover.

Government
The City of Pine Bluff is governed by the mayor–council government system, with the mayor, city attorney, city clerk and treasurer are all elected at large. The Pine Bluff City Council is the legislative body of the city. This group is constituted of eight members, with two members representing each of the city's four wards. Each council member serves a four-year term, and elections are staggered every two years. Meetings of the city council are held in the Pine Bluff City Council Chambers on the first and third Monday of every month unless otherwise scheduled.

The city also has ten commissions for citizens to serve upon, with approval required by both the mayor and city council. They are: Advertising and Promotion, Aviation, Civic Auditorium Complex, Civil Service, Historic District, Historical Railroad Preservation, Parks and Recreation, Pine Bluff / Jefferson County Port Authority, Planning and Wastewater Utility. The city also has four boards and one commission that fills their own vacancies: Arkansas River Regional Intermodal Facilities Board, Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas Board of Trustees, Cemetery Committee, Library Board and Taylor Field Operations Facilities Board.

As the county seat of Jefferson County, Pine Bluff also hosts all functions of county government at the Jefferson County Courthouse in downtown Pine Bluff.

Education
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is the second oldest public educational institution in the state of Arkansas, and the oldest with a black heritage. It maintains one of the nation's few aquaculture research programs and the only one in the state of Arkansas. It also houses the University Museum and Cultural Center dedicated to preserving the history of UAPB and the Arkansas Delta.

The newly accredited Southeast Arkansas College features technical career programs as well as a 2-year college curriculum.

Pine Bluff is served by three school districts: Pine Bluff School District, Watson Chapel School District, and White Hall School District, as well as a number of charter schools and the Ridgeway Christian School also serve the city.

The Main Library of the Pine Bluff and Jefferson County Library System contains an extensive genealogy collection, including the online obituary index of the Pine Bluff Commercial, Arkansas census records, and digital collections, which consists of many county and city records for much of southeast Arkansas. In addition to downtown Pine Bluff's Main Library, PBJCLS branch libraries can also be found in the city's Watson Chapel area, as well as in White Hall, Redfield, and Altheimer.

Colleges and universities

 * University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
 * Southeast Arkansas College

Public schools
Prior to integration, black students attended separate, segregated schools. These included Merrill High School, Townsend Park High School, Coleman High School, and Southeast High School.
 * Pine Bluff School District, including Pine Bluff High School
 * Watson Chapel School District, including Watson Chapel High School
 * White Hall School District includes parts of Pine Bluff; White Hall High School is in neighboring White Hall.

In December 2020 the Arkansas State Board of Education ruled that the Dollarway School District should merge into the Pine Bluff School District as of July 1, 2021. According to the consolidation plan, all schools of the two districts will continue to operate post-merger. Accordingly, the attendance boundary maps of the respective schools remained the same for the 2021–2022 school year, and all DSD territory went into the PBSD territory. The exception was with the pre-kindergarten levels, as all PBSD areas are now assigned to Forrest Park/Greenville School, including the territory from the former Dollarway district. Dollarway High School closed in 2023.

Private schools
There are two private schools in Pine Bluff, Ridgway Christian School (K3–12th) and Maranatha Baptist Academy K3-12.

The city formerly hosted Catholic schools:
 * St. Joseph Catholic School – Grades 5–12, opened in 1993, closed in 2013
 * St. Peter's Catholic School – The first school in Arkansas for black children to be established, was established in 1889 by St. Joseph Church Pastor Monsignor John Michael "J.M." Lucey as the Colored Industrial Institute and in 1897 became St. Peter Academy a.k.a. St. Peter High School. It closed in 1975, and reopened as an elementary school (Grades Preschool through 6) operated by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1985. It closed permanently in 2012. It was the last Catholic school established for black students in the State of Arkansas.
 * St. Raphael School – A majority black school, it closed in 1960

Public libraries
The Pine Bluff and Jefferson County Library System maintains its main library in the Civic Center in downtown. The city received its first library in 1913. The library system also operates the Watson Chapel Dave Burdick Library in the Watson Chapel neighborhood.

Highways

 * I-530 (AR 1961).svg Interstate 530
 * US 63 (1961).svg US Route 63
 * US 65 (1961).svg US Route 65
 * US 79 (1961).svg US Route 79
 * US 270.svg U.S. Route 270
 * US 425.svg U.S. Route 425
 * Arkansas 15.svg Highway 15
 * Arkansas 54.svg Highway 54
 * Arkansas 81.svg Highway 81
 * Arkansas 190.svg Highway 190
 * Arkansas 365.svg Highway 365

Water
Located on the navigable Arkansas River, with a slackwater harbor, Pine Bluff is accessible by water via the Port of Pine Bluff, the anchor of the city's Harbor Industrial District.

Air
Daily commercial air freight and passenger services, along with scheduled commuter flights, are available at the Clinton National Airport (formerly Little Rock National Airport), Adams Field, (LIT), some 40 minutes driving time from Pine Bluff via Interstate 530 and interstate connectors.

Pine Bluff's municipal airport, Grider Field (PBF), is located four miles southeast of the city. The airport serves as home base for corporate and general aviation aircraft. Charter, air ambulance and cargo airline services are also available.

Buses
Royal Coach Lines offers local access to intrastate, regional, and charter services.

The city-owned Pine Bluff Transit operates six routes on a 12-hour/day, weekday basis, to various points including government, medical, educational and shopping centers. Two of the buses have professional-quality murals advertising the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Railroad
Current freight rail service to and through Pine Bluff is provided by the Union Pacific Railroad.

Correctional facilities
In 1972, the City of Pine Bluff and the "Fifty for the Future," a business leader group, donated 80 acre of land to the Arkansas Department of Correction (ADC). This parcel was developed as the Pine Bluff Complex.

Since 1979 it has included the ADC state headquarters;  the administrative Annex East is on Harding Avenue south of city hall. The Ester Unit (formerly the Diagnostic Unit), the Pine Bluff Unit, and the Randall L. Williams Correctional Facility are in the "Pine Bluff Complex," as are the headquarters of the Arkansas Correctional School system.

The ADC Southeast Arkansas Community Corrections Center is in Pine Bluff.

Water
Liberty Utilities (formerly United Water), a subsidiary of Algonquin Power & Utilities, a privately held company, treats potable water and operates the water distribution system in Pine Bluff (including Watson Chapel), as well as Hardin, Ladd, and White Hall. This partnership began in 1942 between the City of Pine Bluff and Arkansas Municipal Water Company, which has been acquired and merged to become Liberty Utilities.

Water is pumped from 12 wells that pump from the Sparta Sand Aquifer to three water treatment plants capable of producing 20000000 gal per day (total). Each plant uses a process of pre-chlorination, aeration, filtration, and chlorine residual. Hydrofluosilic acid and zinc orthophosphate are also added in addition to chlorine. The water is then distributed to approximately serving over 18,000 customers via 388 mi of water distribution mains. A Source Water Vulnerability Assessment was conducted by the Arkansas Department of Health in 2013; it concluded that Pine Bluff's water supply is at medium susceptibility to contamination

Wastewater
The Pine Bluff Wastewater Utility provides operation and maintenance of the city's municipally owned sewage collection and conveyance system. This system includes over 450 mi of pipe and 52 lift stations to collect municipal and industrial wastewater and convey it to the Boyd Point Treatment Facility (BPTF). This facility treats and discharges treated effluent in accordance with a permit issued by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The BPTF was most recently renovated in 2010 and is currently permitted to discharge a maximum daily flow of 30000000 gal.

The utility has been awarded by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for its performance. In an Enforcement Compliance review completed in March 2014, it was noted that zero permit violations had occurred within the past three years.

Parks and recreation
Townsend Park was built on a 100 acre plot of land meant for a park for black people. The land was donated by the president of the Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical, and Normal College to the state government. It was named after Merrill High School principal William J. Townsend.

Notable people

 * Blanch Ackers, painter
 * Larry D. Alexander, visual artist, writer,
 * Broncho Billy Anderson, actor, honorary Academy Award winner
 * John Barfield, Major League Baseball player
 * Mark Bradley, National Football League player
 * Clifton R. Breckinridge, U.S. Representative from Arkansas
 * Big Bill Broonzy, musician, member of Blues Hall of Fame
 * Charles Brown, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, blues musician/singer
 * Jim Ed Brown, country music artist
 * The Browns, country music trio
 * Bill Carr, 1932 Olympic double gold medalist
 * Joe Barry Carroll, basketball player, top pick of 1980 NBA draft
 * Monte Coleman, NFL player, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff head coach
 * Junior Collins, jazz musician
 * Joseph Carter Corbin, Educator, principal of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, principal of Merrill High School
 * Harvey C. Couch, founder, Arkansas Power & Light
 * CeDell Davis, blues musician
 * Janette Davis, singer
 * L. Clifford Davis, civil rights attorney, judge
 * Larry Davis, blues musician
 * The Buddy Deane Show, national TV program of local radio DJ
 * Jay Dickey, lawyer and politician
 * Jeff Donaldson, visual artist, founder AfriCOBRA
 * Marty Embry, professional basketball player, chef, author
 * Kenneth B. Ferguson, Democratic member of Arkansas House of Representatives
 * Stephanie Flowers, African-American member of Arkansas State Senate former member of Arkansas House of Representatives
 * Vivian Flowers, African-American Democratic member of Arkansas House of Representatives from Pine Bluff since 2015; diversity officer at UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock
 * Debra Ford, colorectal surgeon and academic administrator
 * Rodney Shelton Foss, possibly first American killed in World War II
 * Charles Greene, Olympic gold medalist, track & field
 * George W. Haley, U.S. ambassador
 * Isaac Scott Hathaway, visual artist, first African American to create a coin for the U.S. Treasury
 * George Edmund Haynes, first executive director of National Urban League
 * Chester Himes, novelist,
 * Beth Holloway, author and mother of Natalee Holloway
 * George Howard, Jr., federal judge
 * Mike Huckabee (born 1955), 44th Governor of Arkansas
 * Torii Hunter, Major League Baseball player, 5-time All-Star
 * Don Hutson, member of College and Pro Football Hall of Fame
 * Bobby Hutton, founding member of Black Panther Party
 * George G.M. James, author
 * Joseph Jarman, jazz saxophonist
 * Charles Johnson, Negro league baseball player
 * David Johnson, football player
 * Kenneth Johnson, television producer
 * Theresa A. Jones, neuroscientist
 * E. Fay Jones, architect and designer
 * Camille Keaton, actress
 * Carl Kidd, player in Canadian and National Football Leagues
 * Lafayette Lever, NBA player
 * Henry Jackson Lewis, political cartoonist
 * Kay Linaker, actress
 * Dallas Long, Olympic gold medalist
 * Martell Mallett, player in Canadian and National Football Leagues
 * Peter McGehee, novelist
 * Dwight McKissic, Southern Baptist minister
 * Carl McVoy, rock 'n' roll pianist/vocalist
 * Chris Mercer, the first African-American deputy state prosecutor in the South, one of the "six pioneers" who integrated the University of Arkansas Law School.
 * Constance Merritt, poet
 * Martha Mitchell, wife of U.S. Attorney General John N. Mitchell
 * Raye Montague, US Navy engineer
 * Mary Mouser, actress known for the role of Samantha LaRusso in Cobra Kai
 * Bitsy Mullins, jazz trumpeter
 * Smokie Norful, Grammy Award-winning gospel singer
 * Freeman Harrison Owens, inventor
 * Rita Panahi, conservative commentator and host on Sky News Australia
 * Ben Pearson, bowyer
 * Edward J. Perkins, U.S. ambassador
 * Elizabeth Rice, actress
 * Andree Layton Roaf, justice of Arkansas Supreme Court
 * Willie Roaf, NFL Hall of Famer
 * John Roane (1817–1867), 4th Governor of Arkansas; Brigadier General Army of Confederate States
 * Bobby Rush, musician, member of Blues Hall of Fame
 * William Seawell, brigadier general in U.S. Air Force
 * Peggy Shannon, actress
 * Les Spann, jazz musician
 * Jeremy Sprinkle, (White Hall) tight end for NFL's Washington Commanders
 * Katherine Stinson, aviator
 * James L. Stone, Medal of Honor recipient
 * Francis Cecil Sumner, psychologist
 * Jerry Taylor, businessman, legislator, Mayor of Pine Bluff
 * Clark Terry, Grammy Award-winning jazz musician
 * John Thach, U.S. Navy Admiral
 * Sue Bailey Thurman, African-American author, lecturer, and historian
 * Krista White, winner of America's Next Top Model Cycle 14
 * Reggie Wilkes, football player, financial advisor
 * Henry Wilkins III, state legislator, academic
 * Henry Wilkins IV, state legislator, judge
 * Josetta Wilkins, state legislator, academic
 * J. Mayo Williams, blues/gospel/jazz producer, member of Blues Hall of Fame

Sister city

 * Bandō, Ibaraki, Japan– sister city since October 9, 1989

title: Pine Bluff, Arkansas


text:
Redfield, Arkansas

For people with the surname, see Redfield (surname).

Redfield, officially the City of Redfield, is a small city in northwest Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. Located about 23 mi southeast of Little Rock on the Union Pacific Railway (UP), the city is part of the Pine Bluff, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,505 in the 2020 census. What is now Redfield was formerly part of the historical territories of the Quapaw Nation. Incorporated in 1898, the city is home to two U.S. historic preservation districts.

History
Following the arrival of the Little Rock, Mississippi River and Texas Railway,  also known as the "Arkansas Valley Route," a small settlement grew up around the new station named for company president Jared Redfield of Essex, Connecticut. Founded	on December 20, 1880, Redfield was incorporated by the Jefferson county court on October 18, 1898. Six local properties have been added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP): Dollarway Road (1974), West James Street Overpass (1995), Lone Star Baptist Church (2005), Redfield School Historic District (2014), and Redfield Commercial Historic District (2023).

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.148 sqmi, of which, 3.094 sqmi of it is land and 0.37% is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,505 people, 640 households, and 428 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,297 people, 525 households and 369 families residing in the city. There were 581 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 91.7% White, 4.8% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races and 2.3% from two or more races. 1.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 525 households, out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 38.5 years.

Arts and culture
The Pine Bluff and Jefferson County Library System operates the public library, an about 5500 sqft library building, which opened in 1999.

Government
The Redfield City Council comprises the mayor of Redfield and six aldermen. The council determines the strategic direction and policies for the municipality and the Mayor in turn appoints staff to implement those policies and administer and manage the municipal services. Private citizens are welcome to attend the council meetings which are held in the Council Chamber of the City Hall at 212 North Brodie Street, Redfield, on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

Education
Public education in northwest Jefferson county is administered by the White Hall School District. The school district manages two secondary schools (White Hall High School and White Hall Middle School) and four elementary schools. The M. A. Hardin Elementary School is located in Redfield.

Infrastructure
Redfield is on Highway 365 linking Pine Bluff and Little Rock, as well as Highway 46, linking it to Sheridan. It is also on Interstate 530 (via Highway 46).

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Redfield, Arkansas


text:
Sherrill, Arkansas

Sherrill is a town in Plum Bayou Township, Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. Its population was 84 at the 2010 U.S. census. It is included in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.4 km$2$ (0.1 mi2), all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 84 people, 37 households, and 25 families residing in the town. The population density was 347.5 /km2. There were 54 housing units at an average density of 148.9 /km2. The racial makeup of the town was 44.0% White and 56.0% Black or African American.

There were 37 households, out of which 10.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 0.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 16.7% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 31.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $23,750, and the median income for a family was $24,643. Males had a median income of $32,813 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,096. There were 16.2% of families and 21.8% of the population living below the poverty line, including 30.3% of under eighteens and 26.7% of those over 64.

Education
Sherrill is served by the Pine Bluff School District. Students are zoned to Park/Greenville School for preschool, James Matthews Elementary School, Robert F. Morehead Middle School, and Dollarway High School.

At one point it was served by the Sherrill School District, which operated Sherrill Elementary School. The Altheimer-Sherrill district was created in 1979 when the Altheimer and Sherrill districts merged.

On September 1, 1993, Altheimer-Sherrill consolidated into the Altheimer Unified School District; Altheimer Unified operated two schools: Martin Elementary School and Altheimer-Sherrill High School. The Altheimer Unified School District consolidated into the Dollarway School District on July 10, 2006. Altheimer-Sherrill High closed in 2007, with students moved to Dollarway High. Altheimer Martin Elementary School closed in 2013.

In December 2020 the Arkansas State Board of Education ruled that the Dollarway School District should merge into the Pine Bluff School District as of July 1, 2021; the post-merger school district is to operate all existing schools from both districts. Accordingly, the attendance boundary maps of the respective schools remained the same for the 2021–2022 school year, and all DSD territory became a part of the PBSD territory. The exception was with the pre-kindergarten levels, as all PBSD areas are now assigned to Forrest Park/Greenville School, including the territory from the former Dollarway district. In 2023 the district announced that Dollarway High would merge into Pine Bluff High School, and that Morehead Middle School would become the only middle school for all of the Pine Bluff School District.

title: Sherrill, Arkansas


text:
Wabbaseka, Arkansas

Wabbaseka is a town in Dunnington Township, Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. Its population was 255 at the 2010 U.S. census. It is included in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.4 sqmi, all land.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 323 people, 132 households, and 83 families residing in the city. The population density was 873.3 PD/sqmi. There were 150 housing units at an average density of 405.5 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 84.21% Black or African American, 15.17% White, and 0.62% from two or more races.

There were 132 households, out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the city the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $14,792, and the median income for a family was $24,375. Males had a median income of $16,250 versus $28,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,902. About 28.1% of families and 30.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 44.8% of those under age 18 and 31.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Wabbaseka is served by the Pine Bluff School District. Students are zoned to Park/Greenville School for preschool, James Matthews Elementary School, Robert F. Morehead Middle School, and Dollarway High School.

It was formerly served by the Wabbaseka-Tucker School District (previously the Wabbaseka School District), which operated schools on a 12 acre property in the city. Altheimer-Sherrill School District annexed the former Wabbaseka-Tucker School District on August 16, 1993. As the Altheimer Unified School District it began operations on September 1, 1993. Altheimer Unified operated two schools: Martin Elementary School and Altheimer-Sherrill High School. The Altheimer Unified School District consolidated into the Dollarway School District on July 10, 2006.

Altheimer Unified ended all use of the Wabbaseka school property in 1996. The district sold the Wabbaseka school property to the City of Wabbaseka for $674,623 in the 2001 fiscal year. By June 2001 this property was not yet used for a new purpose. Demolition of most of the school occurred in January 2011, but the chemical storage room was untouched when the crews discovered the presence of various chemicals. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) removed the chemicals in May 2011.

In December 2020 the Arkansas State Board of Education ruled that the Dollarway School District should merge into the Pine Bluff School District as of July 1, 2021; the post-merger school district operates all existing schools from both districts. Accordingly, the attendance boundary maps of the respective schools remained the same for the 2021–2022 school year, and all DSD territory became a part of the PBSD territory. The exception was with the pre-kindergarten levels, as all PBSD areas are now assigned to Forrest Park/Greenville School, including the territory from the former Dollarway district. In 2023 the district announced that Dollarway High would merge into Pine Bluff High School, and that Morehead Middle School would become the only middle school for all of the Pine Bluff School District.

Notable people

 * Eldridge Cleaver (1935–1998), born in Wabbaseka, Panther propagandist, author of Soul on Ice
 * Willie K. Hocker (1862–1944), lived in Dunnington Township, designer of the Arkansas state flag

title: Wabbaseka, Arkansas


text:
White Hall, Arkansas

White Hall is a city in Washington Township, located in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. With a population of 5,526 in the 2010 census, it is included in the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and the greater Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff Combined Statistical Area. White Hall is home to the Pine Bluff Arsenal.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,581 people, 1,802 households, and 1,322 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,732 people in 1,780 households, including 1,418 families, in the city. The population density was 692.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,925 housing units at an average density of 281.6 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 92.54% White, 4.65% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 1.31% Asian, 0.34% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 1.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 1,780 households 39.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.5% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.3% were non-families. 18.0% of households were one person and 6.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.02.

The age distribution was 27.5% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.

The median household income was $52,045 and the median family income was $56,997. Males had a median income of $38,286 versus $26,827 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,524. About 5.5% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.4% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
White Hall has the second highest median household income in Arkansas (after Maumelle).

Arts and culture
The Pine Bluff and Jefferson County Library System operates the White Hall Dr. Cora Economos Library, which is in proximity to the White Hall City Park. Its namesake is the former director of libraries of the library system.

Education
All of White Hall is served by the White Hall School District. White Hall High School is the zoned high school of the district.

title: White Hall, Arkansas


text:
Clarksville, Arkansas

Clarksville is a city in Johnson County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 9,178, up from 7,719 in 2000. As of 2018, the estimated population was 9,743. The city is the county seat of Johnson County. It is nestled between the Arkansas River and the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, and Interstate 40 and US Highway 64 intersect within the city limits. Clarksville-Johnson County is widely known for its peaches, scenic byways and abundance of natural outdoor recreational activities.

History
The community began as settlers arrived to the Arkansas Territory. After the Osage tribe was relocated by treaty, Cherokee settlers came to Arkansas by 1800 and primarily lived along the Arkansas River. A federal Indian trading factory under Matthew Lyon was established at Spadra in 1818, now at the west end of Lake Dardanelle on the Arkansas River, a Clarksville location now occupied by Spadra Marina. A historical marker, dedicated in 1984, sits on Spadra Bluff, near the original river town of Spadra. The area was reserved for the Cherokee, so most early settlers of Johnson County did not move into the area until after 1828, the year the Cherokee gave up their land.

Spadra was the first county seat of Johnson County, convenient to steamboat lines. However, when stagecoach and train transportation became more common, land routes from Little Rock to Fort Smith were directed along higher elevations through Clarksville. As Clarksville grew, it became the de facto location for the county seat circa 1833, probably due to severe flooding at Spadra. Clarksville was established by survey in November 1836 after Johnson County was formed from part of Pope County. The first court session was held in 1837 in a private building.

By July 1853 the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad opted to go through Clarksville instead of Spadra, due to financial incentives provided by the county commissioners based in Clarksville. Almost twenty miles of track toward Spadra were removed during the realignment. Regular rail service began following the Civil War, aiding in Clarksville's growth, while the hamlet of New Spadra began beside the new tracks. Fewer settlers arrived by river transportation so Spadra was less useful, so its major buildings deteriorated or were moved, while Clarksville became the destination of many new settlers arriving by train.

Geography
Clarksville is located in south-central Johnson County and is bordered to the south by the Arkansas River, although the city center is 3 mi north of the river and west of Spadra Creek.

Interstate 40 leads southeast 100 mi to Little Rock and west 55 mi to Fort Smith.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Clarksville has a total area of 49.7 km2, of which 47.9 km2 are land and 1.8 km2, or 3.66%, are water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 9,381 people, 3,456 households, and 2,116 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,719 people, 2,960 households, and 1,918 families residing in the city. The population density was 429.3 PD/sqmi. There were 3,240 housing units at an average density of 180.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 87.60% White, 3.46% Black or African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 6.15% from other races, and 1.85% from two or more races. 15.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,960 households, out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 12.5% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,548, and the median income for a family was $30,758. Males had a median income of $22,052 versus $19,764 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,305. About 16.2% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.8% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The Arkansas Cumberland College opened on 8 September 1891 in Clarksville. The privately founded educational institution was renamed the College of the Ozarks in 1920 and became the University of the Ozarks in 1987. The University of the Ozarks is a private, liberal arts based university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Clarksville Schools is the city's public school district. Its mascot is a panther. The school colors are red and white. The school system is broken up into six different categories: Primary (K-1), Elementary (2nd-3rd), Intermediate (4th-5th), Middle (6th-7th), Junior High (8th-9th), and High School (10th-12th).

In 2011, Clarksville became the first school district in the state of Arkansas to issue every student in the 7th through 12th grades their own take home laptop computer. In 2022, Intermediate, 4th grade and 5th grade, were introduced to the school district.

The Clarksville School District has a graduation rate of over 92%.

Culture
Clarksville is home to the Johnson County Peach Festival. Starting in 1938. It is a nearly week long event (starts on a Tuesday and ends on Saturday) and attracts visitors from all over the country. Activities and events include Barbershop chorus, gospel music, good ol' home cookin, handmade arts and crafts, street dance, frog jumping contest, terrapin derby, greased pig chase, a 4-mile run, parade, jam and jelly bake-off and of course peach and peach cobbler eating contests. It all concludes with the crowning of Queen Elberta, Miss Arkansas Valley and Miss Teen Arkansas Valley pageants.

The Clarksville post office contains a mural, How Happy was the Occasion, painted in 1941 by Mary May Purser. Federally commissioned murals were produced from 1934 to 1943 in the United States through the Section of Painting and Sculpture, later called the Section of Fine Arts, of the Treasury Department.

Notable people
The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in Clarksville, in alphabetical order by last name.
 * Zane Beck (1927–1985), Steel Guitar Hall of Fame member (1991), Pedal steel guitarist and guitar manufacturer.
 * Bill Doolin (1858–1896), Old West outlaw born in Clarksville
 * Gordon Houston (1916–1942), born in Clarksville, the first professional baseball player to die during active duty in World War II.
 * Ralphie May (1972–2017), comedian raised in Clarksville
 * Pierce McKennon (1919–1947), World War II flying ace

Tornado
Clarksville was struck by an EF4 tornado on May 25, 2011. Rogers Avenue sustained damage including signs blown down, many building facades damaged and numerous trees broken in half. Areas along and near East Main Street and Poplar Street sustained heavy structural damage, including several heavily damaged homes and apartment buildings. There were three fatalities in rural Johnson County during this storm.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Clarksville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

title: Clarksville, Arkansas


text:
Coal Hill, Arkansas

Coal Hill is a city in Johnson County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,012 at the 2010 census.

History
The community was named for the presence of a coal mine near the town site.

Geography
Coal Hill is located in southwestern Johnson County. U.S. Highway 64 passes through the center of town, leading east 12 mi to Clarksville, the county seat, and west 10 mi to Ozark. Arkansas Highway 164 runs north from the east end of Coal Hill 4 mi to Interstate 40 at Exit 47.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.05 km2, of which 0.05 sqkm, or 0.77%, are water. The city is 4 mi north of the Arkansas River.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 820 people, 430 households, and 305 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,001 people, 411 households, and 274 families residing in the city. The population density was 370.9 PD/sqmi. There were 474 housing units at an average density of 175.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.50% White, 0.40% Native American, 1.90% from other races, and 2.20% from two or more races. 2.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 411 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,490, and the median income for a family was $34,250. Males had a median income of $23,077 versus $16,544 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,540. About 16.6% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 22.9% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Marshall Chrisman, businessman and politician, born in Coal Hill in 1933
 * Boss Schmidt, born in Coal Hill, major league baseball player

title: Coal Hill, Arkansas


text:
Hartman, Arkansas

Hartman is a city in Johnson County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 519 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Hartman is located in southwestern Johnson County on the west side of Horsehead Creek about 4 mi north of the Arkansas River. U.S. Highway 64 passes through the center of town, leading east 9 mi to Clarksville, the county seat, and west 13 mi to Ozark.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Hartman has a total area of 3.2 km2, of which 0.04 km2, or 1.27%, are water.

Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 596 people, 234 households and 181 families residing in the city. The population density was 421.2 PD/sqmi. There were 258 housing units at an average density of 182.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.32% White, 1.01% Native American, 0.50% from other races, and 0.17% from two or more races. 1.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 234 households, of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.6% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.92.

Age distribution was 24.3% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.

The median household income was $22,891, and the median family income was $24,821. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,188. About 24.2% of families and 25.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.9% of those under age 18 and 26.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Westside School District serves Hartman.

title: Hartman, Arkansas


text:
Knoxville, Arkansas

Knoxville is a city in Johnson County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 731 at the 2010 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.2 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 511 people, 194 households, and 138 families residing in the city. The population density was 230.3 PD/sqmi. There were 210 housing units at an average density of 94.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.89% White, 1.57% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 1.37% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. 4.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 194 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city the population was spread out, with 27.8% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,250, and the median income for a family was $34,375. Males had a median income of $22,031 versus $22,857 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,404. About 9.2% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.5% of those under age 18 and 18.3% of those age 65 or over.

title: Knoxville, Arkansas


text:
Lamar, Arkansas

Lamar is a city in Johnson County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,605 at the 2010 census, up from 1,415 at the 2000 census.

Geography
Lamar is located in southeastern Johnson County in the valley of Cabin Creek. U.S. Route 64 is Lamar's Main Street and leads northwest 5 mi to Clarksville, the county seat, and south 4 mi to Knoxville. Interstate 40 crosses US 64 2 mi south of Lamar at Exit 64 and leads west 64 mi to Fort Smith and southeast 19 mi to Russellville. Little Rock is 95 mi southeast of Lamar via I-40.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Lamar has a total area of 12.3 km2, of which 0.05 km2, or 0.38%, are water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,719 people, 747 households, and 486 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,415 people, 529 households, and 362 families residing in the city. The population density was 324.9 PD/sqmi. There were 585 housing units at an average density of 134.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.97% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 1.13% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.64% from other races, and 1.91% from two or more races. 3.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 529 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,317, and the median income for a family was $27,143. Males had a median income of $23,309 versus $16,207 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,852. About 14.8% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.7% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public education for early childhood, elementary and secondary students is primarily provided by the Lamar School District, which includes:

 * Lamar Elementary School, serving pre-kindergarten through grade 3.
 * Lamar Middle School, serving grades 4 through 7.
 * Lamar High School, serving grades 8 through 12.

Notable people
Lee Cazort, the youngest ever Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives and youngest ever Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas, attended public school in Lamar before moving to Fort Smith.

title: Lamar, Arkansas


text:
Bradley, Arkansas

Bradley is a city in Lafayette County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 628 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Bradley is located in southern Lafayette County. It sits at the intersection of Arkansas Highways 29 and 160. Highway 29 leads north 19 mi to Lewisville and south 6 mi to the Louisiana border at Arkana. Plain Dealing, Louisiana, is 14 mi south of Bradley. Highway 160 leads east from Bradley 7 mi to the community of State Line and west 15 mi to Interstate 49 near Doddridge.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Bradley has a total area of 2.4 km2, all land.

2020 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 563 people, 223 households, and 134 families residing in the city. The population density was 614.8 PD/sqmi. There were 285 housing units at an average density of 311.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 46.36% White, 52.40% Black or African American, 0.36% Asian, and 0.89% from two or more races. 0.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 223 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.7% were married couples living together, 22.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. 37.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 33.6% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 17.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $14,375, and the median income for a family was $19,306. Males had a median income of $21,719 versus $14,688 for females. The per capita income for the city was $2,455. About 43.9% of families and 49.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 66.5% of those under age 18 and 42.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public education for elementary and secondary students is provided by the Emerson-Taylor-Bradley School District, which includes Bradley Elementary School and Bradley High School. The school's mascot and athletic emblem is the Bear, with purple and gold serving as the school colors.

The former Bradley School District consolidated into the Emerson-Taylor district effective July 1, 2013.

Highways

 * [[Image:Arkansas 29.svg|20px]] Arkansas Highway 29
 * [[Image:Arkansas 160.svg|25px]] Arkansas Highway 160

title: Bradley, Arkansas


text:
Buckner, Arkansas

Buckner is a city in Lafayette County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 275 at the 2010 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.2 sqmi, all land.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Buckner has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 396 people, 144 households, and 112 families residing in the city. The population density was 315.8 PD/sqmi. There were 165 housing units at an average density of 131.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 52.53% White, 45.20% Black or African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.51% Asian, and 1.01% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 144 households, out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,063, and the median income for a family was $25,179. The per capita income for the city was $10,192. About 19.1% of families and 25.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.5% of those under age 18 and 21.7% of those age 65 or over.

Infrastructure

 * [[Image:US 82.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 82
 * [[Image:Arkansas 53.svg|20px]] Arkansas Highway 53

title: Buckner, Arkansas


text:
Lewisville, Arkansas

Lewisville is a city in Lafayette County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,280 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Lafayette County.

Geography
Lewisville is located in northern Lafayette County. U.S. Route 82 passes through the south side of the city, leading east 23 mi to Magnolia and west 30 mi to Texarkana. Arkansas Highway 29 passes through the center of Lewisville, leading north 23 mi to Hope and south 19 mi to Bradley.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Lewisville has a total area of 5.7 km2, of which 0.09 sqkm, or 1.58%, are water.

Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Lewisville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Lewisville was 112 F on August 7 and 18, 2011, while the coldest temperature recorded was -1 F on February 16–17, 2021.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 915 people, 360 households, and 225 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,285 people, 518 households, and 349 families residing in the town. The population density was 583.7 PD/sqmi. There were 577 housing units at an average density of 262.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 49.34% White, 49.34% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.70% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. 2.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 518 households, out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $26,719, and the median income for a family was $34,712. Males had a median income of $24,408 versus $16,850 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,733. About 17.2% of families and 21.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.3% of those under age 18 and 16.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public education for elementary and secondary students is provided by the Lafayette County School District. On July 1, 2003, the Lewisville district consolidated with the Stamps School District to form the Lafayette County School District.

Highways

 * [[Image:US 82.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 82
 * [[Image:Arkansas 29.svg|20px]] Arkansas Highway 29
 * [[Image:Arkansas 313.svg|25px]] Arkansas Highway 313

Notable person

 * Charles McClendon, former LSU football coach

title: Lewisville, Arkansas


text:
Stamps, Arkansas

Stamps is a city in Lafayette County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,693 at the 2010 census, down from 2,131 at the 2000 census.

History
A post office has been in operation in Stamps since 1887. The community has the name of the local Stamps family. Stamps was the shop headquarters for the former Louisiana and Arkansas Railway until the relocation in the early 1920s to Minden in Webster Parish in northern Louisiana.

Stamps has been noted on lists of unusual place names. An early postmaster quipped that Stamps was "the only town in the U.S. that stamps Stamps on stamps".

Geography
Stamps is in northeastern Lafayette County in southwestern Arkansas. U.S. Route 82 passes through the northern side of the city, leading west 5 mi to Lewisville, the county seat, and east 3 mi to Buckner. Arkansas Highway 53 has its northern terminus at US 82 and leads south through the center of Stamps 27 mi to the state line near Springhill, Louisiana.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.1 km2, of which 7.9 km2 are land and 0.3 km2, or 3.19%, are water. Lake June lies within the southern part of the city limits.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,258 people, 657 households, and 378 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,131 people, 830 households, and 541 families residing in the town. The population density was 693.7 PD/sqmi. There were 1,003 housing units at an average density of 326.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 44.30% White, 54.48% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, and 0.56% from two or more races. Of the population 0.61% was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 830 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.8% were married couples living together, 21.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. Of all households 31.7% were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.1% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $22,194, and the median income for a family was $26,591. Males had a median income of $25,667 versus $17,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,440. About 22.8% of families and 27.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.0% of those under age 18 and 24.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public education for elementary and secondary students is provided by the Lafayette County School District, which includes Lafayette County Elementary School and Lafayette County High School. The school's mascot and athletic emblem is the Cougar.

On July 1, 2003, the Stamps School District consolidated with the Lewisville School District to form the Lafayette County district.

Highways

 * [[Image:US 82.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 82
 * [[Image:Arkansas 53.svg|20px]] Arkansas Highway 53

Notable people

 * Maya Angelou (1928–2014), author and poet, tells about growing up in the Black community of Stamps in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
 * Black Ivory King (1899–1947), blues and boogie-woogie pianist, best known for his original version of the then popular train blues song, "The Flying Crow".
 * George Doherty (1920–1987), math and PE teacher in Stamps – football player and inspirational coach
 * Danny Ormand, retired Arkansas state employee, former Stamps Fire Chief
 * Earl T. Ricks (1908–1954), raised in Stamps – United States Air Force major general
 * Rolling Thunder (1916–1997), born in Stamps – self-identified hippie medicine man

title: Stamps, Arkansas


text:
Alicia, Arkansas

Alicia is a town in Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 124 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Alicia is located at 35.89444°N, -91.08361°W (35.894482, -91.083663).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.3 km2, all land.

Climate
Climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen climate classification sub-type for this climate is "Cfa" (Humid Subtropical Climate).

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 145 people, 53 households and 46 families residing in the town. The population density was 430.7 /km2. There were 61 housing units at an average density of 181.2 /km2. The racial makeup of the town was 100.00% White.

There were 53 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.9% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.2% were non-families. 13.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.8% had someone who was living alone who was age 65 or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the town, the age distribution of the population showed 24.8% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,833, and the median income for a family was $22,083. Males had a median income of $20,250, compared with $25,313 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,942. About 10.0% of families and 20.4% of the population were living below the poverty line, including 72.2% of residents under 18 and none of those over 64.

Education
It is a part of the Lawrence County School District, which operates Walnut Ridge High School.

It was formerly a part of the Walnut Ridge School District, until it merged with the Black Rock School District into the Lawrence County district on July 1, 2006.

Highways

 * [[Image:Arkansas 230.svg|20px]] Highway 230
 * [[Image:Arkansas 230.svg|20px]] Highway 230

title: Alicia, Arkansas


text:
Black Rock, Arkansas

Black Rock is a city in Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States, along the Black River. The population was 662 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Black Rock is located in northern Lawrence County at 36.10778°N, -91.09889°W (36.107794, -91.098913), at the eastern edge of the Ozarks. It sits on the west side of the Black River, a south-flowing tributary of the White River.

U.S. Routes 63 and 412 run concurrently through the south side of the city, leading northwest 30 mi to Hardy. To the southeast, US 412 leads 9 mi to Walnut Ridge, the Lawrence county seat, while US 63 leads 8.5 mi to Hoxie.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Black Rock has a total area of 8.9 km2, of which 8.5 km2 are land and 0.4 km2, or 4.08%, are water.

List of highways

 * [[Image:US 412.svg|25px]] U.S. 412
 * [[Image:Arkansas 25.svg|22px]] Highway 25
 * [[Image:Arkansas 117.svg|25px]] Highway 117
 * [[Image:Arkansas 361.svg|25px]] Highway 361
 * [[Image:Arkansas 361.svg|25px]] Highway 361

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 717 people, 284 households, and 199 families residing in the city. The population density was 218.6 PD/sqmi. There were 334 housing units at an average density of 101.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.02% White, 0.14% Native American, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 284 households, out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,407, and the median income for a family was $26,917. Males had a median income of $23,646 versus $16,806 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,731. About 19.1% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.5% of those under age 18 and 20.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public education is provided for elementary and secondary school students from the Lawrence County School District, which includes Walnut Ridge Elementary School and Walnut Ridge High School.

It was a part of the Black Rock School District until July 1, 2006, when it merged with the Walnut Ridge School District into the Lawrence County district. The post-merger district continued to operate Black Rock Elementary School and Black Rock High School until 2013.

title: Black Rock, Arkansas


text:
College City, Arkansas

College City is a former town in Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 455 at the 2010 census. It is the site of Williams Baptist College, a four-year liberal arts college. The town merged with nearby Walnut Ridge effective January 1, 2017.

Geography
College City is located at 36.12583°N, -90.94°W (36.125778, -90.940107).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town had a total area of 1.13 sqkm, all land.

No state maintained highways run through the town.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 269 people, 68 households, and 45 families residing in the town. The population density was 230.8 /km2. There were 77 housing units at an average density of 66.1 /km2. The racial makeup of the town was 93.68% White, 4.46% Black or African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.37% Asian, and 0.74% from two or more races. 0.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 68 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the town the population was spread out, with 13.0% under the age of 18, 51.7% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 11.5% from 45 to 64, and 3.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females, there were 192.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 196.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $27,500, and the median income for a family was $36,875. Males had a median income of $18,542 versus $26,429 for females. The per capita income for the town was $8,837. About 4.4% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under the age of 18 and 45.5% of those 65 or over.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, College City has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Education
The former College City is within the Lawrence County School District, and is served by Walnut Ridge Elementary School and Walnut Ridge High School.

title: College City, Arkansas


text:
Hoxie, Arkansas

Hoxie is a city in Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States. It lies immediately south of Walnut Ridge. The population was 2,780 at the 2010 census.

The third Arkansas school to integrate
Prior to 1955, Hoxie maintained a dual system of education for younger students, one for white students and another one for black students. Rather than maintain two high schools, white high school students were educated locally, while black high school students were bused to a black school in Jonesboro. The negro school for grades 1-8 had only one teacher. On June 25, 1955, in response to the recent Brown v. Board of Education ruling, Hoxie's superintendent, Kunkel Edward Vance, spearheaded plans to integrate the schools, and he received the unanimous support of Hoxie's school board. On July 11, 1955, Hoxie schools recommenced and allowed African American students to attend. In order to do "what was morally right in the sight of God" and to "uphold the law of the land", Vance insisted that all facilities, including restrooms and cafeterias, be integrated.

Although there were many nervous parents, the schools opening on July 11 went smoothly. The teachers and children got along fine, but unlike the two other school districts in Arkansas (Charleston and Fayetteville) that implemented partial integration, Hoxie attracted national attention. A team of photographers from Life Magazine was on hand to document the event. After the publication of the Life article, segregationists from outside the area converged on Hoxie in an unsuccessful attempt to reverse the school board decision. Handbills were printed making wild assertions including allegations of a plot between negroes, Communists, and Jews, and advocating for the death of "Race Mixers". A group of local citizens, led by soybean farmer Herbert Brewer, confronted the school board in an unproductive meeting. After the meeting, Brewer organized a White Citizen's Council, which called for students, both black and white to boycott the schools. Approximately one third of the white students refused to attend the schools beginning on August 4, 1955.

A lawyer, Amis Guthridge, the leader of White America, inc., attempted to draw more outside influence into the fray, inflaming passions with statements such as calling school integration a "plan that was founded in Moscow in 1924 to mongrelize the white race in America" and claimed that "white Methodist women" wanted integration so they could get negro men into their bedroom. Johnson, Guthridge and others fanned the flames, and were joined by Orval Faubus in trying to invoke fears of miscegenation in white husbands and parents. In one rally, a speaker shouted "they do not want equality, you know they don't want equality"..."They want what you've got, they want your women!"

The Hoxie School Board filed suit against the segregationist leaders from Hoxie and elsewhere in the state and charged them with trespassing on school property, threatening picket lines, organizing boycotts, and intimidating school officials. In November 1955, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas Thomas C. Trimble ruled that pro-segregationists had "planned and conspired" to prevent integration in Hoxie. In December 1955, he issued a permanent injunction and restraining order against the segregationists. Their appeal in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals was opposed by United States Attorney General Herbert Brownell and the U.S. Department of Justice. This marked the first intervention by the attorney general in support of any school district attempting to comply with the Brown decision. On October 25, 1956, the court ruled in favor of the Hoxie School Board.

U.S. Attorney Osro Cobb recalls that the situation at Hoxie

had reached the point of possible bloodshed. Guns were being carried; threats were being made, and violence could have erupted at any moment. Notwithstanding, a conference exploring the situation and its possible effects on the community with the individuals at the core of the problem had worked a minor miracle. It demonstrated that while passions and prejudice in race relations often hurl reason aside, reason can be restored at the conference table where there is dedication by the parties to the public interest. That is the lesson to be learned from Hoxie.

In 2003, David Appleby produced a documentary entitled Hoxie - The First Stand detailing the events of school integration in Hoxie. The film later received the Peabody Award and the Du Pont Award for Broadcast Journalism.

Train crash
On August 17, 2014, at 2:30 AM, two Union Pacific freight trains collided in Hoxie, killing two people and causing the evacuation of about 500 people within a 1.5 square mile radius. U.S. 67 was closed for approximately one week for cleanup and repair.

Geography
Hoxie is located at 36.04861°N, -90.97722°W (36.048616, -90.977296).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.0 sqmi, all land.

List of highways

 * [[Image:US 63.svg|25px]] U.S. 63
 * [[Image:US 67.svg|25px]] U.S. 67
 * [[Image:US 63B.svg|27px]] U.S. 63 Business
 * [[Image:Arkansas 367.svg|27px]] Highway 367

U.S. Highways 63 and 67 intersect and cross each other in Hoxie. U.S. 63 enters Arkansas at the Missouri line at Thayer, Missouri, and Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, two contiguous cities. U.S. 63 then goes southeastward to connect with Interstate 55 near Turrell, in Crittenden County. It runs contiguous with I-55 and I-40 for a ways. Both those interstates cross the Mississippi River into Memphis, Tennessee. U.S. 63 is then contiguous with a number of other routes southward in Arkansas, leaving Arkansas for Louisiana at Junction City, in Union County. U.S. 67 is a southwest—northeast bisector of Arkansas.

Two railroads, the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe and the Union Pacific, have mainline tracks that cross each other at Hoxie—the BNSF in a generally northwest-southeast direction, and the UP in a generally north and south direction. This same situation also occurs in Jonesboro, in Craighead County.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,598 people, 1,186 households, and 616 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,780 people, 1,108 households, and 797 families residing in the city. The population density was 707.5 PD/sqmi. There were 1,241 housing units at an average density of 311.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.15% White, 0.46% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 1.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,108 households, out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,726, and the median income for a family was $30,085. Males had a median income of $26,583 versus $18,418 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,190. About 20.7% of families and 24.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.3% of those under age 18 and 28.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public education for elementary and secondary school students is provided by the Hoxie School District, which leads to graduation from Hoxie High School. The school mascot and athletic emblem is the Mustang with green and white serving as the school colors.

Notable people

 * Billy Taylor, All-American football player
 * Miller Williams, poet
 * Raven Gates Gottschalk, reality show contestant

title: Hoxie, Arkansas


text:
Imboden, Arkansas

Imboden is a city in Lawrence County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 677 at the 2010 census. It is named after a family of settlers.

History
The community was first settled around 1828 and was incorporated in 1887.

In 1912, Imboden elected Joe Sullivan as the youngest elected mayor in the United States of that period. He was 21 years old and paralyzed, so relied on a goat-driven cart. He left the town in 1914 to pursue further education.

Imboden has two public schools. Sloan-Hendrix School was established in 1899 as Sloan-Hendrix Academy, a private school affiliated with Hendrix College in Conway. It later became a public  school. Imboden Area Charter School, an open-enrollment public charter school, opened in 2002.

Geography
Imboden is located in northwestern Lawrence County at 36.20167°N, -91.18°W (36.201766, -91.179899). It is on the south side of the Spring River, a southeast-flowing tributary of the Black River. In October 2008 a modern boat launch was opened with a 20 by parking area. To the north of Imboden, across the Spring River, is Randolph County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.5 km2, all land.

List of highways

 * [[Image:US 62 (1961).svg|20px]] [[Image:US 63 (1961).svg|20px]] [[Image:US 412.svg|25px]] US 62/US 63/US 412 run through the center of Imboden. The three highways leave to the west on West 3rd Street, leading 21 mi northwest to Hardy. Highway 62 splits off to the northeast in the center of Imboden, crossing the Spring River and leading northeast 15 mi to Pocahontas. Highways 63 and 412 leave to the southeast on East 3rd Street, leading 9 mi to Black Rock.
 * [[Image:Arkansas 115.svg|25px]] Arkansas Highway 115 leads southwest from Imboden 12 mi to Smithville.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 640 people, 294 households, and 203 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 684 people, 308 households, and 194 families residing in the town. The population density was 760.5 PD/sqmi. There were 343 housing units at an average density of 381.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.25% Whites, 0.73% Native Americans, and 1.02% from two or more races. 0.29% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

There were 308 households, out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 25.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $24,489, and the median income for a family was $33,438. Males had a median income of $28,977 versus $16,667 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,361. About 11.1% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.4% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public education is provided by:
 * Sloan–Hendrix School District, which leads to graduation from Sloan–Hendrix High School.
 * Imboden Area Charter School, an open-enrollment school for kindergarten through eighth grade.

The Imboden Disaster Facility is currently being constructed in town. This facility is part of the Regional Center for Disaster Preparedness Education - Arkansas State University.

City officials

 * Mayor - Chris Jones
 * Treasurer/Recorder - Belinda Chappell
 * Council Members
 * Creston Hutton
 * Dan Matthews
 * Preston Clark
 * Joe Chappell
 * Rebecca Jones

Emergency services
Police

 * Lawrence County Sheriff's Department
 * Arkansas State Police (Troop B)

Fire/Rescue

 * Imboden Volunteer Fire Department
 * Lawrence County Dive Team
 * Volunteer First Responders

Ambulance

 * Promed Ambulance
 * Survival Flight 9

Attractions and recreation

 * Lawrence County Fair and Rodeo - located on the Sloan-Hendrix Campus
 * Annual Lawrence County Fair Auto Show - located in Imboden City Park
 * Annual July 4 fireworks show - located near Sloan-Hendrix Campus
 * Annual Freedom in the Park Celebration  - located in Imboden City Park
 * Annual Christmas Parade

title: Imboden, Arkansas