Date:
20 Oct 1825
Location:
Conway, Arkansas, United States
Surnames/tags:
conway_county,_arkansas arkansas us_history
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Welcome to the Conway County, Arkansas
Conway County is one of the oldest counties in Arkansas. The county was created on October 20, 1825, and named after Henry Wharton Conway, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and territorial delegate to Congress from Arkansas Territory. The county originally covered a large area that included parts of several present-day counties. The county seat was first located at Cadron, a trading post on the Arkansas River, and then moved to Lewisburg in 1831. In 1883, the county seat was relocated to Morrilton, a new town built along the railroad.
It has a diverse geography, from the Ozark foothills in the northwest to the rich lowlands along the river. The first settlers in the area were Native American tribes, including the Quapaw, Osage, and Cherokee. The first European explorers to reach the area were probably Spanish explorers in the 16th century, but it wasn't until the early 19th century that the area began to be settled by Americans of European descent.
During the Civil War, Conway County was the site of several battles, including the Battle of Lewisburg, which took place on September 7, 1864. Union forces occupied the county for much of the war.
After the war, Conway County began to develop its agricultural and industrial resources. The county was home to several grist mills and sawmills, as well as cotton plantations. The railroad also played a significant role in the county's development, with several lines passing through the area.
In the 20th century, Conway County continued to grow and diversify. The county became known for its poultry industry, and today it is home to several large poultry processing plants. In recent years, the county has also become a hub for renewable energy, with several wind farms and solar arrays located in the area.
Maps and Boundaries
Communities
Cities
Towns
- Menifee
Minor Civil Division
Unincorporated communities
| Blackwell | Cleveland | Formosa | Hattieville
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| Jerusalem | Lanty | Mount Olive | Pleasent Hill
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| Pontoon | Solgohacia | Winrock
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Townships:
Historical Communities
| Arthur | Blackville | Cadron | Divide
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| East Fork | Germantown | Green Grove | Hall
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| Hawkstone | Index | Last Fork | Lewisburg
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| Glass Village | Point Remove | Preston | Robertsville
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| Ruralhome | West | Wolverton
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Military History
Civil War
About 900 men from Conway County fought in the Civil War, primarily in Arkansas, but also in Tennessee and Kentucky; only 200 men returned home from the war.
Conway County men served in both the Union and Confederate armies in the Civil War. Some units they joined were
- Confederacy:
- Company I, 1st Arkansas Mounted Rifles
- Company B, Carroll’s Cavalry
- Company I, 36th Arkansas Infantry
- Several companies of the Tenth Arkansas Infantry
- Union
- Third Arkansas Cavalry Regiment
- Independent Union Company of Scouts and Spies for the Union.
There were no major actions in Conway County, although numerous minor engagements took place. One of the most significant skirmishes was at Lewisburg (now Morrilton) on February 12, 1865, when a Union force led by Colonel Abraham H. Ryan defeated a Confederate scouting group led by Colonel Allen R. Witt of the Tenth Arkansas Infantry.
Tourism and Festival Events
Conway County, Arkansas is home to several annual events and festivals that attract visitors from near and far. Some of these events include:
- Petit Jean Fall Fest: This festival is held annually in late October in Morrilton's City Park. The event features live music, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, and other family-friendly activities.
- Toad Suck Daze: While this festival is not actually held in Conway County, it is located nearby in Conway, Arkansas, and draws visitors from all over the state. Held annually in May, Toad Suck Daze features live music, carnival rides, food vendors, and other activities. The festival's unique name comes from a nearby section of the Arkansas River known as "Toad Suck" because steamboats used to get stuck on the river there, and locals would "suck" on bottles of alcohol to pass the time.
- Petit Jean Mountain Bluegrass Festival: This festival is held annually in June at the Petit Jean State Park. The event features several bluegrass bands, food vendors, and other activities.
- Christmas on the Square: This event is held annually in December in downtown Morrilton. The event features a Christmas parade, Christmas tree lighting, live music, and other holiday-themed activities.
In addition to these annual events, Conway County is also home to several attractions that attract tourists year-round, such as Petit Jean State Park, the Museum of Automobiles, and the Rialto Theater. The county's natural beauty, historic sites, and outdoor recreational opportunities also make it a popular destination for camping, hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
Historical Landmarks
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| Arkansas Christian College Adminstration Building
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- Arkansas Christian College Administration Building - The Arkansas Christian College Administration Building is a two-story brick and stone building in Morrilton, Arkansas, built in 1919-20 by James A. Harding and David Lipscomb for a junior college affiliated with the churches of Christ. The building has Colonial Revival features, such as a portico, quoins, and a cornice. The building also has an auditorium wing used for assemblies and cultural events. The college merged with Harper College in 1924 and became Harding College, a senior college that moved to Searcy in 1934. The building is the only surviving remnant of the college’s Morrilton history, and is now used by the Southern Christian Home, a charity that places needy children.
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| Aycock House
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- Aycock House - The Aycock House is a historic house located at 410 West Church Street in Morrilton, Conway County, Arkansas. It was built in 1904 by Elmo Aycock, a prominent businessman and civic leader in Morrilton. He owned a lumber company, a hardware store, and a bank, and served as the mayor of Morrilton from 1912 to 1914. He also donated land for the city park and the public library. He lived in the house until his death in 1936.
- The house is one of the most unusual and elegant houses of the period in the city. It is 21⁄2 stories in height, with a tall hipped-roof pierced by dormers, and a round corner tower with conical roof. A porch wraps around two sides of the house, with round posts and a bracketed cornice. The interior features high quality woodwork, including a staircase constructed from imported English walnut.
- Bold Pilgrim Cemetery - The Bold Pilgrim Cemetery is a historic African American cemetery that was founded by formerly enslaved people around 1890. It is located near Solgohachia, Arkansas, and has about 600 burials. The cemetery served a community of African Americans that declined in the 1960s due to economic reasons. The cemetery is preserved by an association that was formed in 2006. The cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018 for its cultural and historical significance.
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| Cafeteria Building-Cleveland School
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- Cafeteria Building-Cleveland School - The Cafeteria Building-Cleveland School is a single story, rectangular-plan school building built around 1930 near Cleveland, Arkansas. It has a wood-frame structure with a gable-on-hip roof and weatherboard siding. It also has some Craftsman features, such as exposed rafter ends and large brackets. It was originally used as a cafeteria for an elementary school, but later became a classroom.
- It is representative of a small, wood frame school building constructed in rural districts in the 1920s to 1940s era. It is also associated with the evolution of public school systems in the Ozark Mountain region.
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| Cedar Creek Bridge
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- Cedar Creek Bridge - The historical Cedar Creek Bridge is also known as the Davies Bridge. It is a single-span closed-spandrel masonry arch structure built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It is located in Petit Jean State Park, a 3,471-acre park in Conway County, Arkansas, established in 1923 and named after Petit Jean Mountain. The bridge carries Red Bluff Drive across Cedar Creek, just north of Arkansas Highway 154. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. It is one of eight remaining masonry arch bridges in the state, and is unique as the only one which incorporated finished, rather than rusticated, stone.
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| Coca-Cola Building
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- Coca-Cola Building - The Coca-Cola Building is a historic commercial building at 211 North Moose Street in Morrilton, Arkansas. It was designed by the architectural firm of Thompson, Sanders and Ginocchio in 1929. It is a two-story masonry structure, built out of red brick with limestone trim. It has relatively clean Colonial Revival lines, with stone string courses between floors, a stone cornice below a parapet, and stone panels carved with the stylized Coca-Cola logo. It was built in 1929 to a design by the noted Arkansas architectural firm Thompson, Sanders & Ginocchio. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It is part of the Morrilton Commercial Historic District.
- The most significant aspect of the Coca-Cola Building is a cut stone sign on the facade. The sing features "Coca-Cola" in script and is flanked by two images of Coca-Cola bottles against stylized foliage.
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| Conway County Courthouse
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- Conway County Courthouse - The Conway County Courthouse is a historic building that serves as the county seat of Conway County, Arkansas. Designed by Little Rock architect Frank W. Gibb. One of Arkansas's best known architects. It was built in 1929 in a classical revival style with red brick and white trim. It has a prominent facade with five bays and four round columns.
- Of special interest is the fact that the supervisor of construction for the county was Sam Davies. The same Sam Davies who was so instrumental in the development of Petit Jean Mountain nearby into one of Arkansas' first state parks.
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| Cox House
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- Cox House - The Cox House is a historic house on Bridge Street in Morrilton, Arkansas. It was built in 1875 by Hance Wesley Burrow, a farmer and veteran of the American Civil War. It has a mix of architectural styles, with a gable roof, weatherboard siding, bargeboard, brackets, cornices, and a two-leaf entrance with sidelights.
- The Burrow family exemplified the pioneer movement of many American families in the 19th century. Both the maternal and paternal grandparents of Hance Wesley Burrow had moved from North Carolina to east Tennessee, and later, to west Tennessee. The westward move was continued by Burrow's father, Hiram Burrow, when he and all his family moved to Arkansas in 1858.
- The Burrow-Cox home, built by a moderately wealthy planter in the post-Civil War era, is representative of this life-style and this era in the Arkansas River Valley.
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| Earl Building
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- Earl Building - The Earl Building is a historic commercial building that was built in 1926 and enlarged a few years later. It is a single-story frame structure, with brick walls and a flat roof. It is roughly L-shaped, with one wing originally serving as an automotive showroom and the other as a service and supply area. It is a well-preserved example of a 1920s automotive dealership building.
- The Earl Building illustrates the development of auto dealerships and service garages in the 1920s. The separate showroom and service area spaces, as well as the architecture that blends in with the downtown commericial styles popular at the time, exemplify the 1920s development of auto showrooms.
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| First National Bank of Morrilton
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- First National Bank of Morrilton - The First National Bank of Morrilton is a historic commercial building at Broadway and Moose Streets in Morrilton, Arkansas. It is a narrow five-story masonry building, occupying a prominent location at the city’s main downtown intersection. It was built in 1925 to a design by architect Charles L. Thompson, and has Classical Revival and Bungalow/Craftsman features. The short Broadway Street facade features a recessed entrance with Classical features, while the upper floors are relatively unadorned red brick, with Craftsman motifs in tile around the top floor windows.
- Archaeological sites in Petit Jean State Park - Archaeological sites in Petit Jean State Park are places where prehistoric rock art can be seen. The park is located in Conway County, Arkansas, and has twelve sites that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The rock art was made by Native Americans around 1500 CE, and includes pictographs (paintings) and petroglyphs (carvings) of human and animal figures, sun motifs, spirals, and other symbols. Some of the sites are accessible to park visitors via hiking trails, while others are more remote or protected. The rock art is a valuable cultural and historical resource that reflects the beliefs and traditions of the people who made it.
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| Little Rock to Cantonment Gibson Road-Old Wire Road Segment
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- Little Rock to Cantonment Gibson Road-Old Wire Road Segment - The Little Rock to Cantonment Gibson Road-Old Wire Road Segment is a historic road section in Conway County, Arkansas. It consists of a section of Old Wire Road, southwest of the hamlet of Blackwell, which is about 980 ft long and 18 feet wide. It is defined in part by the cut through which it passes, with steep banks on either side. Built in 1827, it is one of the oldest surviving road alignments of the military road built between Little Rock, and what is now Fort Gibson in Oklahoma. This route formed part of the Trail of Tears, the historic removal of Native Americans to the Indian Territory that is now Oklahoma.
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| Mallettown United Methodist Church
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- Mallettown United Methodist Church - The Mallettown United Methodist Church is a historic church at 274 Mallett Town Road in rural eastern Conway County, Arkansas. It is located in the hamlet of Mallet Town, at the northwest corner of County Road 54 and Town Circle. It is a single story masonry structure with a walkout basement, built out of fieldstone and cream-colored brick, both hallmarks of its builder, the regionally prominent African-American stonemason Silas Owens, Sr. Other elements of his style found on the building include the arched openings of the gabled entry porch. The church was built in 1947, when Owens’s work was beginning reach wider notice in neighboring Faulkner County.
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| Menifee High School Gymnasium
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- Menifee High School Gymnasium - The Menifee High School Gymnasium is a historic school building at North Park and East Mustang Streets in Menifee, Arkansas. It is a single-story frame structure, its exterior finished in uncoursed fieldstone veneer. It has a gabled roof with exposed rafter ends, and two entry pavilions with gable roofs supported by stone posts. It was built in 1938 with funding support from the Works Progress Administration, and was one of the first three WPA-funded athletic facilities built specifically for a segregated African-American school.
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| Moose Addition Neighborhood Historic District
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- Moose Addition Neighborhood Historic District - The Moose Addition Neighborhood Historic District in Morrilton, Arkansas is an area that holds significant historical value and cultural significance. The fact that this area was once farmland and later developed into a residential area after the railroad was built in the 1880s speaks to the economic and social changes that took place in the region during that time.
- The area's architecture, particularly the Queen Anne Victorian built in 1881, offers a glimpse into the styles and building techniques of the time. The period between 1925 and 1960 saw significant development in the area, and the architectural styles reflect that growth. By preserving the Moose Addition Neighborhood Historic District, we can learn about the history of the region, its development, and the people who lived and worked there.
- Preservation of historic districts like the Moose Addition Neighborhood Historic District is vital for several reasons. First, it helps maintain the character of the area and preserve its history for future generations. Second, it can have economic benefits, as historic districts can attract tourism and investment. Finally, preservation can help build community pride and identity by celebrating the area's history and unique features.
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| Moose House
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- Moose House - The Moose House in Morrilton, Arkansas is a fascinating piece of history, with its roots tracing back to the early 19th century. The house was originally known as the Markham Tavern and was built around 1832 in Lewisburg on the Arkansas River. The structure is a 2½-story wood-frame with a gabled roof and weatherboard siding. It was later moved to its current location after the Civil War by James Miles Moose, one of the two founders of Morrilton.
- The house's two-story gabled porch, supported by paired square columns, is an excellent example of the Greek Revival architectural style popular in the mid-19th century. The Moose House is a rare surviving example of a pre-Civil War building in Arkansas, making it an essential piece of the state's history.
- The house's location in Morrilton also tells a story of the town's development. The area where the Moose House now stands was once farmland until the railroad arrived in the 1880s. James Miles Moose and Edward Morrill, the town's founders, lobbied for a railroad station, and the town grew around it.
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| Morrilton Commercial Historic District
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- Morrilton Commercial Historic District - The Morrilton Commercial Historic District is a significant part of the city's history, encompassing the historic central business district of Morrilton, Arkansas. The L-shaped district includes two blocks of East Railroad and East Broadway, between Division and Chestnut Streets, and three blocks of Division and Chestnut Streets, between Broadway and Vine. This area was mostly developed between 1880 and the 1920s, and was heavily influenced by the railroad, which passes between Broadway and Railroad.
- The district's architecture is a mixture of styles, including Classical Revival, Art Deco, and Gothic Revival, reflecting the changing tastes of the time. The buildings are mostly two and three-story brick structures with decorative details such as pediments, cornices, and ornamental brickwork. The prominent buildings in the district include the Morrilton Post Office, Morrilton Railroad Station, First National Bank of Morrilton, and the Coca-Cola Building.
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| Morrilton Post Office
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- Morrilton Post Office - The former Morrilton Post Office is a historic building located at 117 North Division Street in downtown Morrilton, Arkansas. The building was constructed in 1939 as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) project, which was aimed at providing employment opportunities for people during the Great Depression. The post office served the community until it was closed in the 1980s.
- The building is a single-story masonry structure, built of brick and limestone in a simplified Art Deco style. The facade is divided into five bays, the outer two separated by brick piers from the inner three. The inner three are articulated by limestone pilasters and feature large multi-pane windows and the main entrance. The building's design is typical of the streamlined Art Deco style popular in the 1930s, which emphasized sleek lines and geometric forms.
- The interior of the former post office features a mural entitled "Men at Rest" by Richard Sargent, painted in the 1930s as part of the WPA project. The mural depicts a group of workers taking a break from their labors and relaxing in a natural setting. The work is significant, as it reflects the artistic and social values of the time, as well as the purpose of the WPA project to provide meaningful work for artists during a difficult economic period.
- Today, the former Morrilton Post Office building has been repurposed as a community center, hosting events and activities for residents of Morrilton and surrounding areas. The building is an important reminder of the city's history and the role of the WPA project in providing employment and artistic opportunities during a time of economic hardship. The mural "Men at Rest" is a valuable piece of artwork and a representation of the spirit of the community preserved for future generations.
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| Morrilton Station
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- Morrilton Depot Station - The former Morrilton station is a historical building located in downtown Morrilton, Arkansas. It was built around 1907 and used as a station for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. The station is a single-story brick building with a tile roof, and features Mediterranean-style architecture typical of the Missouri Pacific Railroad stations of that era.
- The building has a large overhanging roof supported by large brackets, giving it a distinctive look. There is also a telegrapher's bay that projects on the track side of the building. This feature allowed the telegraph operator to communicate with passing trains and dispatchers.
- The station was an important part of the city's history, as it was a key transportation hub in the region. The Missouri Pacific Railroad was one of the largest railroads in the United States during its heyday, and its presence in Morrilton brought significant economic benefits to the city.
- Today, the former Morrilton station houses a local history museum. Visitors can learn about the history of the city, the railroad, and the role that the station played in the development of the region. The museum features exhibits, artifacts, and photographs that provide a glimpse into the past. It is an important cultural landmark in Morrilton and a reminder of the city's rich history.
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| Museum of Automobiles
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- Museum of Automobiles - The Museum of Automobiles is a popular attraction in Morrilton, Arkansas, near Petit Jean State Park. It is a museum dedicated to the history and evolution of automobiles, and features a diverse collection of antique and classic cars, motorcycles, guns, license plates, arcade machines, and other automobile-related memorabilia.
- One of the museum's most unique exhibits is the rare 1923 climber touring car, manufactured in Arkansas. The Climber was a small, affordable car designed for use on rough roads, and is a rare example of early automobile manufacturing in the region.
- In addition to its impressive collection of automobiles, the museum hosts various automobile-related events, throughout the year, including swap meets and car shows. These events are a great way for car enthusiasts to come together and share their passion for automobiles, while enjoying the museum's extensive collection.
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| U.S. Route 64 in Arkansas
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- U.S. Route 64 in Arkansas - U.S. Route 64 is a historic highway that runs through Conway County, Arkansas, and is a significant part of the state's transportation history. This section of the highway is noteworthy, because it has remained largely unchanged since it was first built in the early 20th century.
- U.S. Route 64 in Conway County was originally constructed as a gravel road in the early 1920s, and later paved with concrete in the 1930s. The highway was an important transportation route in the region, connecting Conway County with neighboring counties and cities.
- Today, the historic U.S. Route 64 in Conway County is a popular destination for road trippers and history enthusiasts who want to experience a piece of America's transportation history. The highway features many historic landmarks and attractions, including old bridges, scenic overlooks, and historic towns and villages.
- One of the most popular attractions on U.S. Route 64 in Conway County is the Arkansas River Bridge, built in the 1930s and still in use today. The bridge is a popular spot for sightseeing and photography, and is a testament to the engineering skills of the time.
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| Plumerville School Building
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- Plumerville School Building - The Plumerville School Building is a historic structure located on Arnold Street in Plumerville, Arkansas. The building was originally constructed as a wooden structure in 1925, and was believed to have been built for use by an African-American church congregation.
- During the 1930s, a Works Progress Administration (WPA) crew completed a significant renovation of the building, covering the original wooden exterior with local fieldstone. The result was a single-story wood-frame building finished with fieldstone and a gable roof.
- The Plumerville School Building features gabled entry pavilions that project from the front of the building, supported by stone posts. The building's simple yet elegant design reflects the style and architecture of the time period in which it was constructed.
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| Plummer's Station
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- Plummer's Station - Plummer's Station is a historic house located on Gap Creek, south of Plumerville in Conway County, Arkansas. Built around 1830, the house is considered one of the oldest surviving structures in the county. At its core is a log cabin that was built by Samuel Plummer, who served as a stop on the stagecoach route between Little Rock and Fort Smith in the 19th century.
- Over the years, the house has been altered several times and now appears as an L-shaped single-story structure sheathed in clapboards. Despite its various alterations, the house still retains much of its historic character and charm.
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| Saint Anthony's Hospital
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- Saint Anthony's Hospital - Saint Anthony's Hospital is a historic hospital building located at 202 East Green Street in Morrilton, Arkansas. The building was constructed in 1935 and designed by architect A.N. McAninch in the Art Deco style. It is an excellent example of Art Deco architecture in Morrilton, and features distinctive details and finishes in brick and stone.
- The hospital served as the local healthcare facility until 1970, after which it was repurposed as a senior living facility. The building's Art Deco features include two splayed wings and a central projecting entry pavilion, which is a common design element in the style. The building is notable for its sleek lines, geometric shapes, and decorative elements, such as the chevron patterned brickwork and zigzag frieze on the entry pavilion.
- In addition to its architectural significance, Saint Anthony's Hospital has played an important role in the community's history. As the only hospital in the area for many years, it provided vital healthcare services to residents of Morrilton and surrounding communities. Today, the building continues to serve the community as a senior living facility, offering a unique and historic place for seniors to call home.
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| Trinity Lutheran Church
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- Trinity Lutheran Church - Trinity Lutheran Church is a historic church located in a rural area near Atkins, Arkansas. The church was built in 1886, making it one of the oldest Lutheran churches in Arkansas. It is a simple wooden structure with a weatherboard exterior and a cut fieldstone foundation. The gabled roof adds to the quaint charm of the church.
- The church is located east of Winrock and north of Petit Jean State Park, on the east side of Montgomery Trace (County Highway 5). Despite being in a remote location, the church has remained an important landmark in the area and continues to hold regular services.
- The front facade of the church is unadorned, except for the entrance, which is simply framed. The sides of the building each have three sash windows, allowing natural light to enter the space. The interior of the church is modest and retains its original finishes. The hand-hewed pews are a testament to the craftsmanship of the church's builders.
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| Union Chapel School and Shop Building
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- Union Chapel School and Shop Building - The Union Chapel School and Shop Building is a historic school complex in rural Conway County, Arkansas. The complex is situated at the junction of Union Chapel Road and Acker Lane, about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south of Springfield. The complex consists of three buildings, including a classroom, shop building, and pump house.
- The classroom building is a single-story structure made of stone with a gable roof. The main entrance of the building is set in a rounded-arch opening, and bands of sash windows flank the entrance. The classroom building was constructed in 1937-38 with funding from the Works Progress Administration. It replaced one of the Rosenwald buildings that had burned down.
- The shop building is also made of stone and is covered by a hip roof. It was constructed in the late 1920s with funding from the Rosenwald Fund, which was established to aid African American schools in the rural South. The shop building is the only one from that period to have survived.
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| West Church Street Historic District
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- West Church Street Historic District - The West Church Street Historic District is a collection of historic homes in Morrilton, Arkansas, that represent some of the finest late-19th and early-20th century architecture in the area. The district is located along West Church Street between South Morrill and South Cherokee Streets, and includes 23 primary buildings, all of which are houses.
- The district features homes dating back to the earliest days of the city, with some houses dating back to around 1878. However, most homes in the district were built between 1926 and 1942, and are predominantly in the Craftsman style.
- Craftsman homes are known for their distinctive features, such as low-pitched roofs with exposed rafters, large front porches with tapered columns, and handcrafted details like decorative brackets and beams. The district's houses showcase these elements, along with other architectural details, such as stained-glass windows, intricate woodwork, and ornate chimneys.
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| W. L. Wood House
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- W. L. Wood House - The W.L. Wood House is a historic residence located at 709 North Morrill Street in Morrilton, Arkansas. It was built in 1905-1906 for William L. Wood, a prominent local businessman, and is an excellent example of the Queen Anne style of architecture.
- The house is a 2+1⁄2-story wood-frame structure with a weatherboard exterior and a foundation of stone and brick. The design features asymmetrical massing, which is typical of the Queen Anne period. One of the standout features of the house is the three-story turret located at the left corner, which adds to its grandeur. Another prominent feature is the wrap-around porch, which extends across the front and around the base of the turret. The porch is supported by round columns and has a turned balustrade and a low gable over the main steps.
- The interior of the house features detailed woodwork in the Eastlake style, which was popular during the late 19th century. The Eastlake style is characterized by intricate woodwork, often with floral or geometric patterns, and is known for its use of natural materials such as wood and stone.
- Interestingly, the house was purchased as a prefabricated kit from the Sears & Roebuck catalog and shipped by rail to Morrilton. It was then moved to its current location by mule-drawn wagon and assembled on-site. The W.L. Wood House is a remarkable example of the quality and craftsmanship of the homes that could be purchased through mail-order catalogs in the early 20th century.
National Protected Areas
- The Ozark National Forest encompasses 1,200,000 acres (4,856 km2) primarily in the scenic Ozark Mountains in northern Arkansas. The forest contains the tallest mountain in Arkansas, Mount Magazine, and Blanchard Springs Caverns. The southern section of the forest lies along the Arkansas River Valley south to the Ouachita Mountains.
- Ozark National Forest is located in parts of 16 counties. In descending order of forestland they are Newton, Pope, Johnson, Franklin, Crawford, Logan, Baxter, Stone, Madison, Yell, Van Buren, Searcy, Washington, Benton, Conway, and Marion counties. There are local ranger district offices located in Clarksville, Hector, Jasper, Mountain View, Ozark, and Paris.
- There are five officially designated wilderness areas lying within Ozark National Forest that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
- East Fork Wilderness
- Hurricane Creek Wilderness
- Leatherwood Wilderness
- Richland Creek Wilderness
- Upper Buffalo Wilderness
Notables
- Julia Burnelle (Smade) Babcock was born on April 28, 1868 in Union, Ohio, who later moved to Petit Jean, Arkansas. She was an American author who wrote over 40 novels, numerous essays and newspaper articles.
- John Earl Carter Jr was born on November 26, 1927 in Center Ridge, Arkansas. He was an American actor known for the films Badlands (1973), Scarface (1983), and The Hoax (2006). He is best remembered for his recurring role on the popular television series Barnaby Jones.
- Carl Buell Close Sr was born on October 17, 1907 in Robertsville, Arkansas. He was a politician serving in the Louisiana House of Representatives and mayor of Alexandria.
- Clifton Clowers Subject of the song Wolverton Mountain written by his nephew Merle Kilgore for his birthday. Clifton lived to be 102.
- Nathan Green Gordon was born on September 4, 1916 in Morrilton, Arkansas. He was an American lawyer, politician, and decorated naval aviator. A veteran of World War II and recipient of the Medal of Honor.
- James Milton Bland was born on October 3, 1930 in Menifee, Arkansas. He was an American musician and saxophonist.
- Dozier Charles Hood was born on November 22, 1912 in Morrilton, Arkansas. He was an American Negro league baseball player in the 1940s for the Kansas City Monarchs.
- Gordon Ensloe Houston - was born on March 20, 1916 in Clarksville, Arkansas. He was an American professional outfielder and shortstop, who played in Minor League Baseball from 1937 to 1940. He is remembered as the first player in Organized Baseball to die during active duty in World War II.
- James Sayle Moose Jr was born on October 3, 1903 in Morrilton, Arkansas. He was an American diplomat and ambassador to several countries. First US Government Representative to live in Saudi Arabia, Ambassador to Syria and the Sudan
- Winthrop Aldrich Rockefeller was born on May 1, 1912 in New York City, New York. He later moved to Morrilton, Arkansas. He was an American politician and philanthropist.
- John Robert Stallings Jr was born on July 22, 1935 in Morrilton, Arkansas. He was a mathematician known for his seminal contributions to geometric group theory and 3-manifold topology.
- Albert C. Wichard better known as Al "Cake", he was born on August 15, 1918 in Morrilton, Arkansas. He was an American blues and jazz drummer who was active as a recording artist in the late 1940s.
- John Howard Yancey was born on April 27, 1918 in Plumerville, Arkansas. He was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He received two Navy Crosses, Silver Star, Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts.
Records and Resources
Sources
- Bureau of the Census. “Conway County section of Arkansas Minor Civil Divisions map.” in the United States Census of Population 1930.42, Washington, D.C., U.S. Government Printing Office, 1934.
- Heathstone Legacy Publications, (n.d.) "Conway County, Arkansas History and Genealogy." Accessed 9 May 2023.
- Wikipedia Contributors. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, last edited on 9 May 2023. "Conway County, Arkansas." Accessed 12 May 2023.
- Brents, Mary Ellen Guffey, Morrilton, Arkansas, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, Staff of the CALS Revised 2022, Sesser David., Henderson State University, last updated on 4 May 2023. "Conway County." Accessed 12 May 2023.
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