Russellville, Arkansas

Last updated

Russellville, Arkansas
City of Russellville
DowntownRussellville.jpg
Pope County Arkansas Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Russellville Highlighted 0561670.svg
Location of Russellville in Pope County, Arkansas.
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Russellville
Coordinates: 35°16′34″N93°08′18″W / 35.27611°N 93.13833°W / 35.27611; -93.13833
Country Flag of the United States.svg  United States
State Flag of Arkansas.svg  Arkansas
County Pope
Townships Dover, Galla, Illinois
Foundedcirca 1842 (1842) [1]
Incorporated June 7, 1870;153 years ago (1870-06-07)
Named for Dr. Thomas Russell
Government
[2]
   Mayor Fred Teague (I)
   Council Russellville City Council
Area
[3]
   City 28.37 sq mi (73.47 km2)
  Land28.30 sq mi (73.30 km2)
  Water0.06 sq mi (0.17 km2)
Elevation
[4]
367 ft (112 m)
Population
 (July 1, 2022, estimate)
   City 29,133 [5]
  Density1,022.54/sq mi (394.80/km2)
   Metro
86,666
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
  Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
72801, 72802
Area code 479
FIPS code 05-61670
GNIS feature ID2404658 [4]
Major airport LIT
Website russellvillearkansas.org

Russellville is the county seat and largest city in Pope County, Arkansas, United States, with a 2022 estimated population of 29,133. [6] It is home to Arkansas Tech University. Arkansas Nuclear One, Arkansas' only nuclear power plant is nearby. Russellville borders Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River.

Contents

It is the principal city of the Russellville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Pope and Yell counties. Under Arkansas Code Title 14, Russellville is a city of the first class. [7]

History

Settlement

Before the town was named Russellville, its vicinity was known as Chactas Prairie, The Prairie, or Cactus Flats. [8] Located on the southern edge of the Ozark Mountains and north of the Arkansas River, this setting was an ideal settlement area. [9]

Throughout the 18th century into the early 19th century, seasonal movements of the seminomadic Osage Indians from western Missouri brought them annually into Arkansas, [10] including the valley where Russellville is now located. Between 1815 and 1828, the area was within a Cherokee reservation. Under a new treaty concluded on May 6, 1828, [11] the western boundary of Arkansas was established, with seven million acres west of Arkansas in Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) provided to the Cherokees "forever." The Cherokees agreed to leave the Arkansas lands within 14 months. [12]

The first house in what is now Russellville, a one-and-a-half-story hand-hewn log house, was built by J.C. Holledger in 1834 and purchased the next year by Dr. Thomas Russell. [13] [14] One of the first businesses to be established in the town was a store opened in the 1840s by brothers James Madison and Benjamin "B.D.R." Shinn. In 1852, with a cash capital of $500, Benjamin's son, Jacob Shinn established one of the first general stores—just down the road from the log home of Thomas Russell—in an 18 ft by 24 ft building. [15] Shinn replaced the wood structure store with a masonry structure, a building completed in 1876 and which, still standing today, is known as the Shinn Building. [16] It was built at the junction of an east–west road from Lewisburg to Clarksville and a north–south road between Dover and the military road crossing at Norristown on the Arkansas River. [17] The intersection is now West Main Street and Denver Avenue (formerly River Street). Before the construction of the masonry building, the existing store was moved to the back of Shinn's property and, during construction, continued in operation.

Antebellum Period

According to tradition, in the 1840s, the choice of a name for the community of five homes and a store was between Russellville—for Thomas Russell, who had the first home in the area and was a doctor—and Shinnville—for Jacob L. Shinn who established the community's first store. [18] [19] However, Russellville was actually named about 1842 when Jacob was a teen. [20] Russellville is listed on mail routes in requests for proposals for carrying the mail in 1842, [21] when Shinn was 15, and in 1846, when he was 19, [22] so naming the community after Jacob would have been quite unlikely. However, in the 1840s, his uncle, James Madison Shinn, and father, B. D. R. Shinn, operated a store in the small frontier community, so any truth in the naming tradition may apply to them. [23]

A post office was established as early as the early 1840s based on request for mail route proposals and certainly by 1854. [24]

American Civil War

As with the war with Mexico in the 1840s, many men of Russellville served in the state's military forces during the American Civil War. Local men served in the state forces early in the war, with many transferring to Confederate regiments by 1862. Several local men were also formed into at least two pro-Union companies. No great battles occurred in or near Russellville, though actions did take place late in the war at nearby Dardanelle (Yell County). While the war came to an official end in 1865, peace did not immediately return to the area. Many areas of Pope County were disrupted in the early 1870s by the turmoil of what came to be known as the Pope County Militia War.

Reconstruction era

The town grew slowly, but during the early 1870s the railroad was built and the town exploded commercially and experienced a boom in population. It connected Russellville to other towns in the area, and ran eventually from Ft. Smith to Little Rock, connecting other river valley towns such as Morrilton, Conway, Atkins, London, and facilitating trade among them. Russellville's first newspaper, the Herald, was founded in 1870. By 1876, the town boasted a population of approximately 800 serviced by fifteen stores, two cotton gins, and six doctors.

Incorporation as a city

On June 7, 1870, Russellville became an incorporated city. [25] Incorporation prompted a debate on moving the county seat, located in Dover since 1841, to one of two growing business centers adjacent to the new tracks. An act to move the county seat passed in the General Assembly in 1873 [26] but was repealed during a special session of the General Assembly in 1874. [27] On March 19, 1887, an election was held on whether to move the county seat to Russellville or to Atkins. Russellville was selected by a margin of 128 votes out of 2,670 total votes cast. [28] The question on moving the county seat had also gone to the voters nearly a decade earlier on September 2, 1878, but the results were overturned in the courts. [29]

While formal education came to the Russellville area early with the founding of nearby Dwight Mission in 1820, most early schools were either private or by subscription. The Russellville Public School District was formed in 1870, the year the city was incorporated. By 1876, it had evolved into a nine-month school. By 1890, approximately 400 students attended in ten grades, and in 1893, the first class to attend through twelve grades graduated.

Most 19th-century residents of the area farmed for a living or, with the coming of the railroad, harvested timber. By the end of the century, Russellville and the surrounding area had become a prosperous coal-mining area, with the Ouita Coal Company being the first established. Other coal companies followed with deep mine shafts sunk north and south of town, which, by the 1950s, had given way to strip mining. Cotton became a profitable crop near Russellville; in the early 20th century, bales were sold from wagons in the middle of Main Street. Today, no coal is mined, and the cotton gins are gone.

20th century

Central Presbyterian Church, 1925 Russellville AR Central Presby PHS902.jpg
Central Presbyterian Church, 1925

In 1906 the town suffered a massive fire in its central business district. The fire consumed nearly half of the buildings but they were quickly rebuilt, most within six months after the fire. [30]

What today is Arkansas Tech University (ATU) in Russellville was established in 1910 as the Second District Agricultural school—a four-year high school. The school evolved over the years, adding 2 years of college courses in the 1920s and dropping the high school courses at the end of the 1929–1930 academic year with the school's name changed to Arkansas Polytechnic College in 1925. [31] Its name was changed to Arkansas Tech University in 1976.

On February 11, 1930, the Russellville City Council passed an ordinance renaming the city's streets. The ordinance established a logical order for street names and went into effect on April 1, 1930. [32]

With America's entry into World War II, many Russellville men enlisted or were drafted into the military. Many of the local men served in the 153rd Infantry. Battery D and Battery F of the 206th Coast Artillery Regiment of the Arkansas National Guard were initially stationed at ATU. Many of the men saw service in Alaska in what is known as the Williwaw War.

After the war, the construction of Interstate 40 in 1956 sparked Russelville's growth. The highway has been a boon to the area's growth, much like the railroad was in the 1870s. A major economic boost came as a result of the completion of a dam near the Arkansas River crossing between Dardanelle and Russellville in 1965. The dam created a lake, which led to the establishment of Lake Dardanelle State Park, a major tourist attraction in the area. The completion of the lock and power dam, a part of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, which brings in between $1 and $2 billion in trade to the state each year, has greatly improved the area's business prospects. During the 1970s, the town, like so many other small American towns, witnessed the decentralization of its historic downtown area, due to the advent of large retail outlets such as Wal-Mart. Many of the historic buildings were left to decay or were torn down. Also in the 1970s, Arkansas' only nuclear power plant, Arkansas Nuclear One, was built just outside the city, on Lake Dardanelle. The plant brought more people and jobs to the city.

Geography

Russellville is located at 35°16′42″N93°8′13″W / 35.27833°N 93.13694°W / 35.27833; -93.13694 (35.278429, -93.136820). [33] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.3 square miles (73 km2), of which 28.2 square miles (73 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) (0.08%) is water. [ citation needed ] It is located on the Arkansas River.

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, Russellville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. [34]

Climate data for Russellville Municipal Airport, Arkansas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1892–present)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °F (°C)82
(28)
89
(32)
95
(35)
100
(38)
100
(38)
109
(43)
113
(45)
115
(46)
110
(43)
99
(37)
88
(31)
81
(27)
115
(46)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)50.3
(10.2)
55.0
(12.8)
64.3
(17.9)
72.9
(22.7)
80.3
(26.8)
88.2
(31.2)
92.5
(33.6)
92.4
(33.6)
85.6
(29.8)
74.4
(23.6)
61.8
(16.6)
52.2
(11.2)
72.5
(22.5)
Daily mean °F (°C)40.0
(4.4)
44.0
(6.7)
52.5
(11.4)
61.0
(16.1)
69.6
(20.9)
77.9
(25.5)
81.8
(27.7)
81.1
(27.3)
73.6
(23.1)
62.1
(16.7)
50.5
(10.3)
42.1
(5.6)
61.4
(16.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)29.7
(−1.3)
33.0
(0.6)
40.8
(4.9)
49.1
(9.5)
59.0
(15.0)
67.6
(19.8)
71.1
(21.7)
69.9
(21.1)
61.7
(16.5)
49.8
(9.9)
39.2
(4.0)
32.0
(0.0)
50.2
(10.1)
Record low °F (°C)−11
(−24)
−15
(−26)
−7
(−22)
24
(−4)
32
(0)
37
(3)
49
(9)
47
(8)
32
(0)
23
(−5)
10
(−12)
−3
(−19)
−15
(−26)
Average precipitation inches (mm)3.20
(81)
3.10
(79)
4.37
(111)
4.83
(123)
4.67
(119)
3.35
(85)
3.45
(88)
3.51
(89)
3.02
(77)
4.06
(103)
4.60
(117)
4.25
(108)
46.41
(1,179)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)7.99.211.510.012.58.79.68.58.19.78.99.1113.7
Source: NOAA [35] [36]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1870 240
1880 514114.2%
1890 1,321157.0%
1900 1,83238.7%
1910 2,93660.3%
1920 4,50553.4%
1930 5,62824.9%
1940 5,9275.3%
1950 8,16637.8%
1960 8,9219.2%
1970 11,75031.7%
1980 14,51823.6%
1990 21,26046.4%
2000 23,68211.4%
2010 27,92017.9%
2020 28,9403.7%
U.S. Decennial Census [37]

2020 census

Russellville racial composition [38]
RaceNumberPercentage
White (non-Hispanic)19,97869.03%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)1,7876.17%
Native American 1720.59%
Asian 4761.64%
Pacific Islander 160.06%
Other/Mixed 1,6295.63%
Hispanic or Latino 4,88216.87%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 28,940 people, 10,184 households, and 5,858 families residing in the city.

2010 census

As of the 2010 Census, [39] there were 27,920 people, 10,318 households, and 6,383 families residing in the city. The population density was 987.4 inhabitants per square mile (381.2/km2). There were 11,124 housing units at an average density of 393.4 per square mile (151.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 83.2% White, 5.5% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 6.7% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. 11.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,318 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.3% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.6% under the age of 18, 21.4% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,234, and the median income for a family was $49,440. Males had a median income of $30,133 versus $19,906 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,637. About 14.5% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Arkansas corporations Tyson Foods, Inc. and Innovation Industries Elevator Signal Fixtures are among the nearly fifty manufacturing plants employing more than 8,300 people. Overall, there are more than ten divisions of Fortune 500 companies located in Russellville. There is a diverse manufacturing base located in the city including: Frozen dinners, railroad crossties, elevator signal fixtures, parking meters, aluminum foil, graphite electrodes, Microplanes, and aircraft and automotive parts.

Media

Russellville's local newspaper is The Courier, which is published six days a week (every day except Monday).

ABOUT the River Valley magazine, a monthly publication [40] distributed across five counties (Pope, Yell, Johnson, Conway, and Logan) of the Arkansas River Valley region, is based in Russellville.

TV stations that reach Russellville are either from the Little Rock or Fort Smith markets as Russellville is on the "fringe" of both service areas. Russellville receives KFSM-TV (CBS) and KFTA-TV (FOX) from Fort Smith and KARK-TV (NBC) and KATV-TV (ABC) from Little Rock. The farther away from the city center one is, the likelihood becomes greater that one will receive the full package of channels from one market over the other (Fort Smith to the west and Little Rock to the east of town).

Several commercial radio stations serve the city, including KWKK-FM 100.9, KARV-AM 610 and KWXT-AM 1490, all of which are licensed to Russellville. In addition, radio stations KCJC-FM 102.3 and KCAB-AM 980 (both licensed to Dardanelle, AR); KVLD-FM 99.3 (licensed to Atkins, AR); KARV-FM 101.3 (licensed to Ola, AR) and KYEL-FM 105.5 (licensed to Danville, AR) have their studios in Russellville.

There are also two non-commercial radio stations operating in Russellville: KMTC-FM 91.1 and KXRJ-FM 91.9 (the radio station licensed to Arkansas Tech University).

Tourism

Russellville is known for its local music, art scene, and historic downtown area. The most notable of these events is the Art Walk. On the first Friday night of each quarter (March, June, September, and December), the city hosts the Downtown Art Walk, in which the public may listen to live music, taste wine and food, and appreciate, purchase and sell art while connecting with the community, as well as have their picture taken in the Alley.

Russellville hosts a variety of sporting events and fishing tournaments, due to its location on Lake Dardanelle. Russellville is also close to Mt. Nebo and other state parks such as Lake Dardanelle State Park. Also many people commute to Russellville on a daily basis from its surrounding areas, for both work and recreation.

Balloons over Russellville is a hot air balloon festival taking place at the Russellville Soccer Complex the first weekend of May annually since 2012. The event features multiple hot air balloons, helicopter rides, skydiving, live music, vendors, and the Arkansas State Championship Chainsaw Carving Competition. [41] [42]

Russellville is also home to the Pope County Fairgrounds, which hosts many events ranging from horse racing to fairs and conventions. At the end of every summer, Russellville is also host to the annual Pope county fair, which features rides, live music, livestock, games, and other forms of entertainment. The county fair attracts more than 50,000 visitors each year. [43]

Education

Russellville is home to Arkansas Tech University, which was founded in 1909 and as of 2014 has 12,003 students.

Russellville is within the Russellville School District, which operates Russellville High School.

Russellville is also home to the Alternative learning center, which is made up of SLC (student learning center), SDC (student detention center), and an adult education center. The SLC program allows failing students to get more individualized attention so that they can catch up with the rest of their classmates or attain their high school diploma. The SDC program serves like an in-school suspension and serves students ranging from middle to high school. The adult learning center allows high school dropouts to come back and obtain their high school diplomas or GEDs.[ citation needed ]

In 2013, Russellville was chosen as one of the filming locations for the independent Christian film "Cowboys and Jesus". One scene was filmed at Cyclone Stadium, depicting a football game in which locals from the area were invited to attend, appearing as "extras". [44]

Russellville power plant Arkansas Nuclear One was featured in a 2011 episode of Aerial America on the Smithsonian Channel.[ citation needed ]

Notable people

See also

Related Research Articles

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

Yell County is a county in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,263. The county has two county seats, Dardanelle and Danville. Yell County is Arkansas's 42nd county, formed on December 5, 1840, from portions of Scott and Pope counties. It was named after Archibald Yell, who was the state's first member of the United States House of Representatives and the second governor of Arkansas. He died in combat at the Battle of Buena Vista during the Mexican–American War.

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

Pope County is a county in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 63,381. The county seat is Russellville. The county was formed on November 2, 1829, from a portion of Crawford County and named for John Pope, the third governor of the Arkansas Territory. Pope County was the nineteenth county formed. The county's borders changed eighteen times in the 19th century with the creation of new counties and adjustments between counties. The current boundaries were set on 8 March 1877.

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

Baxter County is a county in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 41,627. The county seat is Mountain Home. It is Arkansas's 66th county, formed on March 24, 1873, and named for Elisha Baxter, the tenth governor of Arkansas.

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

Morrilton is a city in Conway County, Arkansas, United States, less than 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Little Rock. The city is the county seat of Conway County. The population was 6,992 at the 2020 United States 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">Atkins, Arkansas</span> City in Arkansas, United States

Atkins is a city in Pope County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,016 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Russellville Micropolitan Statistical Area.

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

Dover is a town in Pope County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,378 at the 2010 census. Dover is located in the Arkansas River Valley, and is part of the Russellville Micropolitan Statistical Area.

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

Danville is a city in Yell County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,409 at the 2010 census. Along with Dardanelle, it is one of two county seats for Yell County.

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

Dardanelle is a city in northeast Yell County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 4,517 at the 2020 census. Along with Danville, it serves as a county seat for Yell County. It is located near Lake Dardanelle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russellville, Arkansas micropolitan area</span>

The Russellville Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA), as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas, anchored by the city of Russellville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Rock, Arkansas</span> Capital and largest city of Arkansas, USA

Little Rock is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The city's population was 202,591 as of the 2020 census. The six-county Little Rock metropolitan area is the 81st-most populous in the United States with 748,031 residents according to the 2020 census.

Clark Township is one of nineteen current townships in Pope County, Arkansas, USA. As of the 2010 census, its unincorporated population was 3,386. The Arkansas Nuclear One power plant is located here near the city of London, just outside Russellville.

Illinois Township is one of nineteen current townships in Pope County, Arkansas, USA. As of the 2010 census, its total population was 29,813, with 91.8 percent contained in urban Russellville.

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

Norristown was a 19th-century town and trading center on the Arkansas River and, later, an incorporated town on Norristown Mountain in Illinois Township, Pope County, Arkansas, United States. The town merged with Russellville on August 14, 1980.

Shiloh is a populated area that lies partly in Russellville and partly in unincorporated Pope County, Arkansas, United States. It is located between Interstate 40 and Dover on Arkansas Highway 7.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arkansas River Valley</span> Region in Arkansas, United States

The Arkansas River Valley is a region in Arkansas defined by the Arkansas River in the western part of the state. Generally defined as the area between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, the River Valley is characterized by flat lowlands covered in fertile farmland and lakes periodically interrupted by high peaks. Mount Magazine, Mount Nebo, and Petit Jean Mountain compose the Tri-Peaks Region, a further subdivision of the River Valley popular with hikers and outdoors enthusiasts. In addition to the outdoor recreational activities available to residents and visitors of the region, the River Valley contains Arkansas's wine country as well as hundreds of historical sites throughout the area. It is one of six natural divisions of Arkansas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacob L. Shinn</span> Leader in Russellville, AR.

Jacob Lawson Shinn was a prosperous and influential mid to late-nineteenth-century leader in Russellville, Pope County, Arkansas. A successful merchant who established his first store in about 1852, Shinn was instrumental in bringing the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad (LR&FS) through town and moving the county seat from Dover to Russellville. At one time the wealthiest man and largest property owner in Pope County, he donated land for a railway station and right-of-way through Russellville for the LR&FS railroad as well as property for the new courthouse, the Russellville school system, and the church that he and his wife attended. After financial setbacks that reduced his wealth drastically, Shinn continued his service to the community until he died in office months after being elected mayor of Russellville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dardanelle pontoon bridge</span> Historic floating bridge in service for nearly 4 decades in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Dardanelle pontoon bridge was a floating bridge on the Arkansas River connecting Pope and Yell counties at Dardanelle, Arkansas. The bridge was used for nearly four decades in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, except for periods when its operation was interrupted by high river flows or other disruptions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pope County Militia War</span> Period of political and civil troubles

In the aftermath of the American Civil War, Pope County, Arkansas experienced a tumultuous seven-month period during the Reconstruction era known as the Pope County Militia War. This time was characterized by political and civil unrest, as four county officials, aided by an unofficial militia, purportedly manipulated county affairs to benefit their own agenda. These officials persistently urged the Arkansas governor to impose martial law in the county, with the aim of exerting greater control over voter registration and the November 1872 election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph H. Battenfield</span> American newspaper publisher and merchant

Joseph H. Battenfield was an American newspaper publisher and merchant based in Russellville, Arkansas, in the years after the American Civil War. His weekly newspaper regularly took local officials to task over what he saw as the plundering of county wealth and published details of unwarranted attempts by county officials to get martial law declared in Pope County. On September 8, 1872, during a period that came to be known as the Pope County Militia War, his newspaper office and press were burned, supposedly by the militia of Sheriff Elisha Dodson.

References

  1. "U. S. Mail Proposals". Arkansas State Gazette. No. 15 Vol. XXIII. Little Rock, Arkansas: William E. Woodruff. March 23, 1842. p. 1. Retrieved February 25, 2023. Leave Washington every Saturday at 6 a. m., arrive at Russellville every Monday by 6 p.m.... Leave Russellville every Tuesday at 6 a.m., arrive at Washington every Thursday by 6 p.m.
  2. "Russellville". Arkansas Municipal League. 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  3. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  4. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Russellville, Arkansas
  5. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau. United States Government. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  6. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau. United States Government. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  7. "2020 Arkansas Code Title 14 - Local Government". Title 14, Act of 2020. Arkansas General Assembly.
  8. West, D. Porter (1906). D. Porter West's Early history of Pope county; a story. Pope County, Arkansas. p. 9. Retrieved December 30, 2022. The situation is most beautiful, being a small prairie, dotted all over with nice little groves of trees.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  9. "Russellville Downtown Historic District". National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved February 16, 2023. This property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places in accordance with the attached nomination documentation...
  10. Sabo III, George. "The Osage Indians". Indians of Arkansas. University of Arkansas Little Rock: Arkansas Archeological Survey. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  11. "Treaty with the Western Cherokee, 1828". Tribal Treaties Database. Stillwater, Oklahoma: Oklahoma State University. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  12. Littlefield, Danel F.; Underhill, Lonnie E. (Summer 1972). "The Cherokee Agency Reserve, 1828-1886". The Arkansas Historical Quarterly. 31 (2). Fayetteville, Little Rock: Arkansas Historical Association: 167–168. doi:10.2307/40022264. JSTOR   40022264 . Retrieved February 18, 2023. The Indians left behind them many well-cultivated farms and substantial dwellings. White settlers moved onto the land and occupied the improvements. Many even purchased the land and improvements from the departing Cherokees, who, of course, had no right to sell them.
  13. Brown, Walter L. (Winter 1961). "Dr. Thomas Russell: Founder of Russellville". The Arkansas Historical Quarterly. 20 (4). Fayetteville, Little Rock: 389. doi:10.2307/40030659. JSTOR   40030659 . Retrieved February 16, 2023. According to May Russell, the doctor bought the first house on the present site of Russellville. This was a one-and-a-half-story hand-hewn loghouse that stood until 1898 on what is now the corner of Main and Houston Streets. The house was built in 1834 by J. C. Holledger.
  14. "Thomas Russell, M. D." The Russellville Democrat. No. 22 - 12th Year. Russellville, Arkansas: B. F. Jobe. June 18, 1885. p. 3. Retrieved February 16, 2023. In search of a new home and a milder climate, he came to Arkansas, and located in the Arkansas River Valley, A. D. 1835, one year prior to the admission of the State into the Union.
  15. Speer, William S.; Brown, Hon. John Henry, eds. (1881). The Encyclopedia of the New West. Marshall, Texas: The United States Biographical Publishing Company. pp. 155–156. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  16. "Our Home Patrons - J. L. Shinn". Russellville Democrat. Russellville Arkansas. December 7, 1876. p. 2. This building stands over the identical spot where Mr. S. sold his first dollars worth of goods and was finished only last May.
  17. D. F. Shall (1854). Colton's Railroad & Township Map of Arkansas (Map). J. H. Colton & Co.
  18. "Russellville Downtown Historic District". National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved February 16, 2023. It is said that at a town picnic on July 4, 1847, it was decided that the new settlement which consisted of a general store and five houses should be given a name. They determined the name should be either Russellville, after Dr. Thomas Russell, largely because he had the first home with brick chimneys and was a doctor, or Shinnville, after Jacob L. Shinn, who established the first general store in the settlement. The results of the election to name the town were seven votes for Russellville and only five for Shinnville.
  19. West, D. Porter (1906). D. Porter West's Early history of Pope county; a story. Pope County, Arkansas. p. 9. Retrieved December 30, 2022. At the close of the war Mr. Jake Shinn returned home in 1847. He had saved his wages and opened up a small store; pointing west opposite to Mr. Hugh Wells. Shortly afterwards a number of neighbors from the settlement of the prairie casually met, and the question of a name for the town arose and the subject was discussed pro and con. Mr. Shinn's friends claimed the name upon the ground of his having the first store, Mr. Russell's for occupying the first house. The vote was taken and the result was the town was named Russellville.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  20. "Thomas Russell, M. D." The Russellville Democrat. No. 22, 12th year. Russellville, Arkansas: The Democrat Printing Company. June 18, 1885. p. 3. Retrieved March 2, 2023. About the year 1842, when but a small hamlet, this place was named, by a majority vote of its citizens, Russellville, in honor of Doctor Thomas Russell, who was at the time one of the principal landowners, and a prominent citizen.
  21. "U. S. Mail Proposals". Arkansas State Gazette. No. 15 Vol. XXIII. Little Rock, Arkansas: William E. Woodruff. March 23, 1842. p. 1. Retrieved February 25, 2023. Leave Washington every Saturday at 6 a. m., arrive at Russellville every Monday by 6 p.m.... Leave Russellville every Tuesday at 6 a.m., arrive at Washington every Thursday by 6 p.m.
  22. "Proposals for carrying the mails of the United States". Arkansas True Democrat. No. 22, Vol III. Little Rock, Arkansas: A. H. Rutherford. February 11, 1846. p. 3. Retrieved February 25, 2023. Leave Camden every other Friday at 6 a. m., arrive at Russellville next Sunday by 6 p.m.... Leave Russellville every other Monday at 6 a.m., arrive at Washington next Wednesday by 6 p.m.
  23. Speer, William S.; Brown, Hon. John Henry, eds. (1881). The Encyclopedia of the New West. Marshall, Texas: The United States Biographical Publishing Company. pp. 155–156. Retrieved March 16, 2023. Note: The Shinn's youngest son, Charles W., was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in June 1864.
  24. Baldwin, Thomas; Thomas, J (MD) (1854). A New and Complete Gazeter of the United States. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co. p. 1013. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  25. David L., Vance (January 23, 2017). "Russellville (Pope County)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture . Central Arkansas Library System . Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  26. An Act entitled "An act to move the county seat of Pope County." (Acts of the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas (1873) ed.). Little Rock, Arkansas: Little Rock Printing and Publishing Company. April 25, 1873. p. 239. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  27. An Act to repeal An Act entitled An act to move the county seat of Pope County (Acts of the Genereral Assembly of the State of Arkansas Passed at the 1874 Special Session ed.). Little Rock, Arkansas: Gazette Book and Job Printing Office. 1874. p. 7. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  28. "Election Abstract". The Democrat. Russellville, Arkansas. March 23, 1887. p. 3. 1399 for Russellville, 1271 for Atkins
  29. "Come, Let us Reason Together". The Democrat. No. 32 Vol. IV. Russellville, Arkansas. August 29, 1878. p. 2.
  30. "Russellville Downtown Historic District". National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved February 16, 2023. On the night of January 16, 1906 a fire destroyed nearly half of the downtown business district. The fire included both sides of Commerce Street from Main to "B" Street. Ironically, Russellville had just formed a fire department and ordered fire-fighting equipment, all of which had not arrived. The newly formed fire department, insufficiently organized, was helpless to contain the ravaging fire which, fueled by strong winds, spread to the north side of Main Street from Commerce. In less than three hours, twenty-three buildings were destroyed. The estimated loss was $250,000 of which only 40% was insured. In addition to the loss of the buildings and their stock, many of the citizens of Russellville who worked in the businesses abruptly lost their jobs. Those early businessmen of Russellville immediately set about re-building the downtown and, remarkably, within six months, twenty of the twenty-three buildings lost in the fire had been rebuilt." "As a result of the disastrous fire and the determination of the city's businessmen to rebuild, in less than two years Russellville emerged from the disaster a larger and stronger city with blocks lined with new brick business buildings.
  31. Silva, Rachel (2009). "Arkansas Listings in the National Register of Historic Places: One Hundred Years of Arkansas Tech University". The Arkansas Historical Quarterly. 68 (4): 442–450. JSTOR   40543604 . Retrieved November 14, 2022. A board of trustees for the Second District Agricultural School had been appointed by September 1909 and tasked with finding a location for the school as well as the construction of school buildings, hiring of staff, and development of curriculum. In order to be considered as a site for the school, towns had to pledge at least $40,000 and 200 acres. Fort Smith, Morrilton, Ozark, and Russellville all submitted bids. Russellville's bid included $40,000, 220 acres, and free electricity and water for three years, and on February 10, 1910, the trustees announced that the Second District Agricultural School would be located there.
  32. "An Ordinance to Provide for the Re-Naming of The Streets and Re-Numbering the houses in the City of Russellville, Arkansas". Ordinance No. 278 of February 11, 1930 (PDF). ... the Mayor and City Council of the City of Russellville, Arkansas, are of the opinion that the present system or manner in which our streets are named and our houses numbered is inadequate, to the present and future needs of this City.
  33. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  34. "Russellville, Arkansas Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  35. "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  36. "Station: Russellville Muni AP, AR". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  37. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  38. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  39. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  40. aboutrvmag.com
  41. "Balloons over Russellville - Russellville AR United States - HotAirBalloon.com". www.hotairballoon.com. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  42. "Balloons over Russellville 2023 in Arkansas - Dates". rove.me. May 5, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  43. "Home". popecountyfairarkansas.com.
  44. Russellville football to play role in upcoming inspirational film
  45. "Scott Bradley", ..Tom and Jerry Online.
  46. "Scott Bradley (I) (1891–1977)", IMDb.
  47. "Arkansas Governor Jefferson Davis". National Governors Association. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  48. "R. Trevor Drown". arkansashouse.org. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  49. "Trevor Drown". Project Vote Smart . Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  50. "Max Brantley, Andrea Lea joins GOP race for state auditor, July 2, 2013". Arkansas Times . Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  51. "Home". edmeador21.com.
  52. "Greg Standridge's Biography". Project Vote Smart . Retrieved April 17, 2015.