Gosnell, Arkansas

Gosnell, Arkansas
City
Gosnell City Hall
Motto(s):  Moving Forward, Moving Strong
Location in Mississippi County, Arkansas
Coordinates: 35°57′32″N89°58′41″W / 35.95889°N 89.97806°W / 35.95889; -89.97806
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
County	Mississippi
Incorporated	March 12, 1968
Named for	Lemuel Ward Gosnell (1854-1926)
Government
• Mayor	Jason Taylor
Area [1]
• Total	1.61 sq mi (4.18 km2)
• Land	1.61 sq mi (4.18 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [2]	243 ft (74 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	2,910
• Density	1,801.86/sq mi (695.84/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	72315, 72319
Area code	870
FIPS code	05-27700
GNIS feature ID	2403717 [2]
Website	cityofgosnell.net

Gosnell is a city in northern Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,910 at the 2020 census, ^[3] down from 3,548 at the 2010 census.

History

In the 1870s, a portion of the area east of what became the city of Gosnell was constituted as the North Sawba Cemetery. ^[4] Much of the land between Blytheville and Big Lake was purchased in the late 1800s by Lemael W. Gosnell, a dentist and pioneer farmer. In time, the community came to be named for him. ^[5] A Tennessee native, L.W. Gosnell originally came to Mississippi County in 1876, working as a store clerk at Barfield Landing and Blytheville before becoming a partner in a general store in Blytheville. ^[6]

The small community received its first railroad service sometime prior to 1903, after the Paragould and Southeastern Railroad extended its line from Hornersville, Missouri to Chickasawba, Arkansas (now eastern Blytheville). ^[7]

By the mid-1920's, the community, now formally known as Gosnell, opened its own one room schoolhouse. For over a decade, the school was overseen by Superintendent C.F. Cooper, who oversaw the growth of the school and the addition of a high school curriculum by the time of his retirement in 1930. ^[8] During the 1937 flood, the community hosted 300 homeless victims of the flood. It was reported that a large number of wild animals had fled from the eastern section of the county after a break in the levee resulted in flooding from the Mississippi River. ^{[9] [10]}

In 1942, the U.S. Army came to Mississippi County to survey for land to construct a pilot training school. By April of that year, they had notified 62 individual land owners in the Gosnell community that their land was being taken by the federal government. ^[11] By June, Blytheville Army Airfield, a B-25 pilot training facility with three runways, was in operation. The school closed in 1946, and was converted into a suburb. The facility reopened in 1954 as Blytheville Air Force Base, a B-57 and later B-52 base. ^[12]

Gosnell was incorporated as a first-class city on March 12, 1968. Gosnell's first mayor after incorporation was Andy Bevill. ^[5]

Geography

Gosnell is located in the Arkansas Delta in northern Mississippi County. It is bordered to the east by the city of Blytheville, the county seat. The Missouri state line is less than 3 miles (5 km) to the north. According to the United States Census Bureau, Gosnell has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), all land. ^[1]

Ecologically, Gosnell is located within the St. Francis Lowlands ecoregion near its border with the Northern Holocene Meander Belts ecoregion; both are subregions of the larger Mississippi Alluvial Plain. The St. Francis Lowlands are a flat region mostly covered with row crop agriculture today, though also containing sand blows and sunken lands remaining from the 1811–12 New Madrid earthquakes. Waterways have mostly been channelized, causing loss of aquatic and riparian wildlife habitat. ^[13] The Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge, which preserves some of the bottomland hardwood forest typical of this ecoregion prior to development for row agriculture, lies 6 miles (10 km) west of Gosnell.

Historical sites

Leaving Blytheville on Chickasawba Street, one reaches Gosnell Road. Upon traveling 1.3 miles (2.1 km) one comes to the place of the famous Chickasawba Indian Mound 25 feet high and base circumference approximately 130 feet. This mound most likely served as either a Signal or a Temple Mound as no pottery or skeleton bones have been found here. ^[14]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1970	1,386		—
1980	3,215		132.0%
1990	3,783		17.7%
2000	3,968		4.9%
2010	3,548		−10.6%
2020	2,910		−18.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [15] 2014 Estimate [16]

2010 census

As of the census ^[17] of 2010, there were 3,548 people, 1,387 households, and 951 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 72.9% White, 22.0% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 1.6% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.5% of the population.

There were 1,238 households, out of which 48.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 23.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 23.2% were non-families. 19.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.26.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,722, and the median income for a family was $46,389. The per capita income for the city was $15,917.

2000 census

As of the census ^[17] of 2000, there were 3,968 people, 1,369 households, and 1,074 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,367.1 inhabitants per square mile (913.9/km²). There were 1,578 housing units at an average density of 941.3 per square mile (363.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.12% White, 15.15% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 1.86% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of the population.

There were 1,369 households, out of which 48.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 18.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.5% were non-families. 17.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 34.9% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 4.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,423, and the median income for a family was $37,176. Males had a median income of $30,995 versus $17,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,371. About 15.5% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 31.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Gosnell used to depend on the nearby Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base but since its closing in the early 1990s, the city has lost many of its inhabitants. ^[18] The city is home to the Gosnell School District, which as of 2011 has an enrollment of 1438 K-12. ^[19]

Annual cultural events

Gosnell's Annual Cotton Festival is in October. ^[20]

Education

Public education is available to elementary and secondary school students at Gosnell School District, which leads to graduation from Gosnell High School. The district and high school mascot and athletic emblem is the Pirate with the spirit colors of blue and gold.

Government

• Mayor - Jason Taylor
• Ward 1
  • Position 1 - Steve Ledbetter
  • Position 2 - Richard Brown
• Ward 2
  • Position 1 - Johnny Pate
  • Position 2 - Josh Trapp
• Ward 3
  • Position 1 - Dal Freeman
  • Position 2 - Terry Byrd Sr.

State and federal representation

See also: Politics and government of Arkansas

• Arkansas's 1st congressional district - Rick Crawford
• United States Senator - Mark Pryor

The United States Postal Service operates one post office in Gosnell.

Climate

Gosnell has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa).

Totals and averages: ^[21]

Climate data for Gosnell, Arkansas
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	45 (7)	50 (10)	59 (15)	70 (21)	79 (26)	88 (31)	90 (32)	90 (32)	83 (28)	72 (22)	60 (16)	48 (9)	70 (21)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	29 (−2)	33 (1)	41 (5)	51 (11)	61 (16)	69 (21)	72 (22)	71 (22)	63 (17)	51 (11)	42 (6)	32 (0)	51 (11)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	3.67 (93)	4.31 (109)	4.54 (115)	4.91 (125)	5.23 (133)	3.90 (99)	4.02 (102)	2.61 (66)	2.88 (73)	4.08 (104)	4.70 (119)	5.07 (129)	49.92 (1,268)
Source: [22]

Other information

Tornado activity

Gosnell area historical tornado activity is slightly above the Arkansas state average and is 220% greater than the overall U.S. average. On May 15, 1968, an F4 (maximum wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 5.6 miles (9.0 km) away from the Gosnell city center killed 35 people and injured 364 people and caused between $5,000 and $50,000 in damages.

On April 16, 1998, an F4 tornado 10.1 miles (16.3 km) away from the city center killed two people and injured twelve and caused $350,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity

Gosnell-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above the Arkansas state average. It is 91% greater than the overall U.S. average.

• On 3/25/1976 at 00:41:20, a magnitude 5.0 (4.9 MB, 5.0 LG, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 30.3 miles away from the city center.
• On 5/4/1991 at 01:18:54, a magnitude 5.0 (4.4 MB, 4.6 LG, 5.0 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 42.3 miles away from Gosnell center.
• On 4/27/1989 at 16:47:49, a magnitude 4.7 (4.6 MB, 4.7 LG, 4.3 LG, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 11.5 miles away from the city center.
• On 9/26/1990 at 13:18:51, a magnitude 5.0 (4.7 MB, 4.8 LG, 5.0 LG, Depth: 7.7 mi) earthquake occurred 86.6 miles away from the city center.
• On 3/25/1976 at 01:00:11, a magnitude 4.5 (4.1 MB, 4.5 LG) earthquake occurred 37.7 miles away from Gosnell center.
• On 11/29/1996 at 05:41:33, a magnitude 4.3 (4.3 LG, 4.1 LG, Depth: 12.6 mi) earthquake occurred 3.8 miles away from the city center.

Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB)

Natural disasters

The number of natural disasters in Mississippi County (11) is near the US average (12).

Major disasters (Presidential) declared: 7

Emergencies declared: 4

Causes of natural disasters: Storms: 6, Floods: 5, Tornadoes: 4, Winter Storms: 4, Hurricane: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category). ^[23]

References

1. "2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Arkansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Gosnell, Arkansas
3. "P1. Race – Gosnell city, Arkansas: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
4. "North Sawba Cemetery on BAAF grounds". The Courier News. August 10, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
5. Lendennie, Pat. "Gosnell (Mississippi County)". www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Central Arkansas Library System. Archived from the original on June 16, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
6. Presley, Leister E., Mrs. (1889). Goodspeed's Biographical and historical memoirs of northeast Arkansas. Chicago, Nashville and St, Louis: The Goodspeed publishing co. p. 503.
7. Poor, Henry V. (1904). Poor's Manual of Railroads. Vol. 39. New York, NY: Poor's Railroad Manual Company. p. 532.
8. "Gosnell School Holds Exercises". Newspapers.com. Blytheville, Arkansas: The Courier News. p. 3. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
9. "Game Finds Refuge from Flood at Gosnell". The Courier News. February 9, 1937. p. 2. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
10. "8000 Homeless Receive Care in North District". The Courier News. January 26, 1937. p. 3. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
11. "File Suits to Condemn Gosnell Area". The Courier News. April 24, 1942. p. 9. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
12. Hartley, Jillian. "Eaker Air Force Base". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
13.  This article incorporates public domain material from Woods, A.J., Foti, T.L., Chapman, S.S., Omernik, J.M.; et al. Ecoregions of Arkansas (PDF). United States Geological Survey. (color poster with map, descriptive text, summary tables, and photographs).
14. "Gosnell | Mississippi County, Arkansas". Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
15. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
16. "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.
17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
18. Schulte, Bret. "A Rough Road Once the Pentagon Pulls the Plug". U.S. News & World Report. May 23, 2005, p. 30.
19. "Search for Public School Districts - District Detail for GOSNELL SCHOOL DISTRICT". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
20. "Blytheville Courier News: Local News: Gosnell ready for annual Cotton Festival (10/05/11)". www.couriernews.net. Archived from the original on June 5, 2015.
21. "Weather averages Blytheville, Arkansas".
22. "Ashburn, VA Monthly Weather Forecast". weather.com. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
23. "Gosnell, Arkansas (AR 72315) profile: Population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, news, sex offenders".

External links

• Official website
• Arkansas Municipal League Website for Gosnell, Arkansas