Brinkley, Arkansas

Last updated

Brinkley, Arkansas
City
Brinkley, AR 007.jpg
Downtown Brinkley
Monroe County Arkansas Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Brinkley Highlighted 0508950.svg
Location in Monroe County, Arkansas
Coordinates: 34°53′00″N91°11′34″W / 34.88333°N 91.19278°W / 34.88333; -91.19278
CountryUnited States
State Arkansas
County Monroe
Area
[1]
 • Total6.14 sq mi (15.91 km2)
 • Land5.69 sq mi (14.73 km2)
 • Water0.46 sq mi (1.18 km2)
Elevation
[2]
200 ft (60 m)
Population
 (2020) [3]
 • Total2,700
 • Density474.85/sq mi (183.35/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
72021
Area code 870
FIPS code 05-08950
GNIS feature ID2403926 [2]
Website cityofbrinkley.org

Brinkley is the most populous city in Monroe County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,700, [3] down from 3,188 in 2010.

Contents

Located within the Arkansas Delta, Brinkley was founded as a railroad town in 1872. The city has historically been a transportation and agricultural center in the region, more recently developing a reputation for outdoors recreation and the ivory-billed woodpecker. Birding has become important to the city and region following the purported discovery of the ivory-billed woodpecker in 2004, a species thought to be extinct 60 years earlier.

Located halfway between Little Rock and Memphis, the city has used the slogan "We'll Meet You Half-Way" in some of its advertising campaigns.[ citation needed ]

History

In 1852, a land grant for the construction of rail lines was given to the Little Rock and Memphis Railroad Company, led by its president Robert Campbell Brinkley. Born in North Carolina, Brinkley lived in Memphis, where he served a public career of "noble deeds and generous conduct" and for many years served as president of Planters Bank.

Rusher Hotel, the railroad hotel adjacent to the station Rusher Hotel 001.jpg
Rusher Hotel, the railroad hotel adjacent to the station

Between 1852 and 1869, the settlement was called "Lick Skillet". [2] When the day's work was completed, the railroad construction crew, mostly all immigrants from neighboring towns, cooked their supper over an open fire and returned to their homes when the last "skillet was licked".

The construction of the rail lines between Little Rock and Memphis brought the city of Brinkley into being. Brinkley is situated in the northern part of Monroe County, the halfway point between the two larger cities. It was laid out in the winter of 1869 on lands belonging to the railroad.

A petition request was granted to incorporate Brinkley on August 6, 1872, at which time the town had 50 qualified voters. The original charter was filed with the Arkansas Secretary of State on August 21, 1872. The Cotton Plant Railroad (later called the Batesville and Brinkley Railroad and the White and Black River Valley Railway) originated from the town in 1879, and the Texas and St. Louis Railway was built through Brinkley in 1883. [4] [5] [6] The Brinkley, Helena and Indian Bay Railway connected to town in about 1889, the line later becoming the Arkansas Midland Railroad and subsequently the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway in 1910. [7] [8] [9]

On March 8, 1909, much of the town was destroyed by a violent F4 tornado, which resulted in 49 deaths. Entire families were lost to the tornado, and approximately 800 buildings in the community were destroyed. The tornado was 2/3 of a mile wide. [10]

Duck hunting is a major source of income for the city during the months of November, December and January. With many rice fields flooded for the winter, and being located on the Mississippi Flyway, ducks are very prevalent throughout the region. Men and women from around the United States come to Brinkley for guided hunts throughout the season.

Geography

Brinkley is in northern Monroe County, 69 miles (111 km) east of Little Rock, the Arkansas capital, and 72 miles (116 km) west-southwest of Memphis, Tennessee. U.S. Routes 70 and 49 join in the city as Main Street, with US 70 turning east on Cypress Street in the center of town. US 70 leads east-northeast 5 miles (8 km) to Wheatley and west-southwest 14 miles (23 km) to Biscoe, while US 49 leads north-northeast 74 miles (119 km) to Jonesboro and southeast 51 miles (82 km) to Helena-West Helena. The Brinkley city limits extend north along US 49 to its interchange with Interstate 40, which connects Memphis and Little Rock.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.14 square miles (15.9 km2), of which 5.69 square miles (14.7 km2) are land and 0.46 square miles (1.19 km2), or 7.41%, are water. [1]

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, Brinkley has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. [11]

Climate data for Brinkley, Arkansas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1883–2017)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °F (°C)80
(27)		85
(29)		92
(33)		99
(37)		100
(38)		110
(43)		111
(44)		110
(43)		109
(43)		97
(36)		90
(32)		82
(28)		111
(44)
Mean maximum °F (°C)67.8
(19.9)		72.8
(22.7)		78.5
(25.8)		84.5
(29.2)		89.7
(32.1)		94.7
(34.8)		97.5
(36.4)		98.0
(36.7)		94.4
(34.7)		87.1
(30.6)		78.7
(25.9)		68.7
(20.4)		99.7
(37.6)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)47.8
(8.8)		52.7
(11.5)		61.3
(16.3)		70.9
(21.6)		79.6
(26.4)		87.2
(30.7)		90.1
(32.3)		89.9
(32.2)		83.9
(28.8)		73.6
(23.1)		60.6
(15.9)		51.3
(10.7)		70.7
(21.5)
Daily mean °F (°C)39.2
(4.0)		43.2
(6.2)		51.4
(10.8)		60.7
(15.9)		69.9
(21.1)		78.1
(25.6)		81.1
(27.3)		80.0
(26.7)		73.2
(22.9)		62.2
(16.8)		50.5
(10.3)		42.4
(5.8)		61.0
(16.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)30.6
(−0.8)		33.7
(0.9)		41.5
(5.3)		50.6
(10.3)		60.3
(15.7)		69.0
(20.6)		72.0
(22.2)		70.1
(21.2)		62.6
(17.0)		50.7
(10.4)		40.5
(4.7)		33.5
(0.8)		51.3
(10.7)
Mean minimum °F (°C)14.4
(−9.8)		18.6
(−7.4)		27.0
(−2.8)		35.7
(2.1)		47.3
(8.5)		58.1
(14.5)		64.2
(17.9)		61.6
(16.4)		46.9
(8.3)		36.1
(2.3)		27.0
(−2.8)		18.7
(−7.4)		10.9
(−11.7)
Record low °F (°C)−10
(−23)		−12
(−24)		10
(−12)		23
(−5)		31
(−1)		39
(4)		45
(7)		44
(7)		30
(−1)		20
(−7)		10
(−12)		−7
(−22)		−12
(−24)
Average precipitation inches (mm)3.78
(96)		4.09
(104)		4.98
(126)		5.56
(141)		6.27
(159)		3.51
(89)		3.33
(85)		3.14
(80)		2.96
(75)		3.97
(101)		4.52
(115)		5.08
(129)		51.19
(1,300)
Average snowfall inches (cm)0.7
(1.8)		1.1
(2.8)		0.8
(2.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.1
(0.25)		0.0
(0.0)		2.7
(6.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)8.36.88.37.99.36.16.24.24.96.57.97.884.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)0.30.80.20.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.11.4
Source: NOAA (mean maxima/minima 1981–2010) [12] [13]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880 327—
1890 1,510361.8%
1900 1,6489.1%
1910 1,7405.6%
1920 2,71456.0%
1930 3,04612.2%
1940 3,40911.9%
1950 4,17322.4%
1960 4,63611.1%
1970 5,27513.8%
1980 4,909−6.9%
1990 4,232−13.8%
2000 3,940−6.9%
2010 3,188−19.1%
2020 2,700−15.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [14]
2014 Estimate [15]

2020 Census

Brinkley Racial Composition [16]
RaceNum.Perc.
White 1,10741.0%
Black or African American 1,39051.48%
Native American 50.19%
Asian 200.74%
Pacific Islander 10.04%
Other/Mixed 1294.78%
Hispanic or Latino 481.78%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 2,700 people, 1,179 households, and 759 families residing in the city.

2000 Census

As of the census [17] of 2000, there were 3,940 people, 1,543 households, and 972 families residing in the city. The population density was 719.0 inhabitants per square mile (277.6/km2). There were 1,731 housing units at an average density of 315.9 units per square mile (122.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 49.09% White, 49.05% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. 1.12% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,543 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.5% were married couples living together, 20.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.0% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $19,868, and the median income for a family was $27,820. Males had a median income of $26,117 versus $16,714 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,441. About 23.8% of families and 30.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.6% of those under age 18 and 18.7% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Central Delta Depot Museum in Brinkley Central Delta Depot Museum Brinkley AR 002.jpg
Central Delta Depot Museum in Brinkley

Tourism

Brinkley is located 10 miles (16 km) east of the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, where in February 2004 the ivory-billed woodpecker was purportedly rediscovered after having thought to be extinct for over 60 years. Brinkley has attempted to capitalize on its good fortune of being the largest city near the refuge and the rediscovery of the woodpecker.

In addition to the ivory-billed sightings, since July 2005 at least two confirmed reports of bald eagle nests have been found in the Monroe County area. Further, the swamps of the Cache River are believed to contain among the oldest cypress trees in the United States.

Brinkley opened a convention center in 1996 which can seat up to 600 people; in February 2006 the center hosted a conference commemorating the second anniversary of the ivory-billed woodpecker's rediscovery.

Brinkley High School Brinkley, AR 009.jpg
Brinkley High School

Education

Public education for elementary and secondary school students is provided by the Brinkley School District, which leads to graduation from Brinkley High School.

Infrastructure

Highway 49 south of Brinkley US 49 in Brinkley, AR.jpg
Highway 49 south of Brinkley

Transportation

From its ties to the transportation industry, the city of Brinkley continues to maintain a position at the center of major transportation arteries. Brinkley is located in Monroe County in the rich relics from the past and rolling farmlands of the Arkansas Delta. The halfway point between Little Rock and Memphis, it is a convenient oasis for travelers along Interstate 40 (I-40), one of the busiest interstates in the United States. The city is also located on U.S. Route 49 (US 49), providing transit north–south, and US 70, an additional east–west corridor. [18] [19]

Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Jefferson Lines. [20]

Notable people

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monroe County, Arkansas</span> County in Arkansas, United States

Monroe County is located in the Arkansas Delta in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The county is named for James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States. Created as Arkansas's 20th county on November 2, 1829, Monroe County is home to two incorporated towns and three incorporated cities, including Clarendon, the county seat, and Brinkley, the most populous city. The county is also the site of numerous unincorporated communities and ghost towns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stuttgart, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Stuttgart is a city in and the county seat of the northern district of Arkansas County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 9,326.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountainburg, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Mountainburg is a town in Crawford County, Arkansas, United States. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census the population was 631.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marion, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Marion is a city in and the county seat of Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 12,345 at the 2010 census, a 38.7% increase since 2000. The city is part of the Memphis metropolitan area. It is the second largest city in Crittenden County, behind West Memphis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turrell, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Turrell is a city in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 517.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hickory Ridge, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Hickory Ridge is a city in Cross County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 272 at the 2010 census. Always a small farming community with an economy based on agriculture, a post office was first established in 1875, but the community did not incorporate until 1949.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wynne, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Wynne is the county seat and largest city of Cross County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 8,314 at the 2020 Census. Nestled between the Arkansas Delta and Crowley's Ridge, Wynne is the closest city to the second-largest state park in Arkansas, Village Creek State Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paragould, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Paragould is the county seat of Greene County, and the 19th-largest city in Arkansas, in the United States. The city is located in northeastern Arkansas on the eastern edge of Crowley's Ridge, a geologic anomaly contained within the Arkansas delta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malvern, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Malvern is a city in and the county seat of Hot Spring County, Arkansas, United States. Founded as a railroad stop at the eastern edge of the Ouachita Mountains, the community's history and economy have been tied to available agricultural and mineral resources. The production of bricks from locally available clay has earned the city the nickname, "The Brick Capital of the World". The city had a population of 10,318 at the time of the 2010 census, and in 2019 the estimated population was 10,931.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batesville, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Batesville is the county seat and largest city of Independence County, Arkansas, United States, 80 miles (183 km) northeast of Little Rock, the state capital. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city was 10,268. The city serves as a regional manufacturing and distribution hub for the Ozark Mountain region and Northeast Arkansas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacksonport, Arkansas</span> Town in Arkansas, United States

Jacksonport is a town in Jackson County, Arkansas, United States, along the White River at its confluence with the Black River. The population was 212 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarksville, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texarkana, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Texarkana is a city in the U.S. state of Arkansas and the county seat of Miller County, on the southwest border of the state. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 29,387. It is the twin city of Texarkana, Texas, located just across the state line. The city was founded at a railroad intersection on December 8, 1873, and was incorporated in Arkansas on August 10, 1880. Texarkana and its Texas counterpart are the principal cities of the Texarkana metropolitan area, which in 2021 was ranked 289th in the United States with a population of 147,174, according to the United States Census Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarendon, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Clarendon is a city in, and the county seat of, Monroe County, Arkansas, United States. Located in the Arkansas Delta, the city's position on the White River at the mouth of the Cache River has defined the community since first incorporating in 1859. Although the river has brought devastation and disaster to the city occasionally throughout history, it has also provided economic opportunities, transportation, recreation and tourism to the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fargo, Arkansas</span> Town in Arkansas, United States

Fargo is a town in Monroe County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2020 United States census it had a population of 57, down from 98 in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roe, Arkansas</span> Town in Arkansas, United States

Roe is a town in Monroe County, Arkansas, United States. Located at the junction of U.S. Route 79 and Arkansas Highway 33, the population was 68 at the 2020 census, down from 114 in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helena, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas

Helena is the eastern portion of Helena–West Helena, Arkansas, a city in Phillips County, Arkansas, located on the west bank of the Mississippi River. It was founded in 1833 by Nicholas Rightor and is named after the daughter of Sylvanus Phillips, an early settler of Phillips County and the namesake of Phillips County. As of the 2000 census, this portion of the city population was 6,323. Helena was the county seat of Phillips County until January 1, 2006, when it merged its government and city limits with neighboring West Helena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Augusta, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Augusta is a city in Woodruff County, Arkansas, United States, located on the east bank of the White River. The population was 2,199 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Woodruff County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kidder Township, Pennsylvania</span> Place in Pennsylvania, United States

Kidder Township is a township in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. It is part of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The population was 1,935 at the 2010 census, up from 1,185 at the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Humboldt, Tennessee</span> City in Tennessee, United States

Humboldt is a city in Gibson and Madison counties, Tennessee. The population was 8,452 at the 2010 census, a decline of 1,015 from 2000. It is the principal city of and is included in the Humboldt, Tennessee Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Jackson, Tennessee-Humboldt, Tennessee Combined Statistical Area.

References

  1. 1 2 "2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Brinkley, Arkansas
  3. 1 2 "P1. Race – Brinkley city, Arkansas: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Brinkley Car Works & Manufacturing Company". Mid-Continent. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Brinkley (Monroe County)". Encyclopedia of AQrkansas. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  6. ↑ "White and Black River Valley Railway". Interstate Commerce Commission, January–March 1929, pp. 848-851; 1062-1066. 1929. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  7. ↑ Hilton, George W. (1990). American Narrow Gauge Railroads. Stanford University Press. p. 75-80,313-314. ISBN   0-8047-2369-9.
  8. ↑ "Brinkley, Helena and Indian Bay Railroad Memorabilia Value Guide". RailroadCollectibles.com. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Brinkley (Monroe County)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  10. ↑ On This Date https://www.alabamawx.com/?p=224586
  11. ↑ Climate Summary for Brinkley, Arkansas
  12. ↑ "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  17. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  18. ↑ General Highway Map, Monroe County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). 1:62500. Cartography by Planning and Research Division. Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. April 3, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  19. ↑ Kuczynski, Terri (2009). Images of America: Monroe County. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN   978-0-7385-6821-8.
  20. ↑ "Arkansas Bus Stops" . Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  21. ↑ Smith, Lindsley Armstrong (October 29, 2009). "Dorathy N. McDonald Allen". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.