Washington, Arkansas

This article is about the city of Washington in Arkansas. For other uses, see Washington (disambiguation).

Washington, Arkansas
City
City of Washington
Historic Washington State Park
Location of Washington in Hempstead County, Arkansas.
Washington Location of Washington in the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°46′22″N93°41′00″W / 33.77278°N 93.68333°W / 33.77278; -93.68333
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
County	Hempstead
Settled	1824
Incorporated	1880
Named for	George Washington
Government [1]
• Type	Mayor–Council
•  Council	Washington City Council
Area [2]
• Total	1.01 sq mi (2.61 km2)
• Land	1.01 sq mi (2.61 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [3]	436 ft (133 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	94
• Density	93.35/sq mi (36.03/km2)
Demonym	Washingtonian
Time zone	UTC−6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code	71862
Area code	870
FIPS code	05-73370
GNIS feature ID	2405680 [3]

Washington is a city in Ozan Township, Hempstead County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 180 at the 2010 census, ^[4] up from 148 in 2000. It is part of the Hope Micropolitan Statistical Area. The city is home to Historic Washington State Park.

History

From its establishment in 1824, Washington was an important stop on the rugged Southwest Trail for pioneers traveling to Texas. That same year, it was established as the "seat of justice" for that area, and in 1825 the Hempstead County Court of Common Pleas was established, located in a building constructed next door to a tavern owned by early resident Elijah Stuart. Between 1832 and 1839, thousands of Choctaw American Indians passed through Washington on their way to Indian Territory. Frontiersmen and national heroes James Bowie, Sam Houston and Davy Crockett all traveled through Washington en route to the Alamo. Houston is believed to have planned parts of the revolt strategy in a tavern in Washington during 1834. ^[5] James Black, a Washington blacksmith, is credited with creating a knife which became known as the iconic Bowie knife, carried by James Bowie. ^[6]

During the War with Mexico, beginning in 1846, Washington became a rally point for volunteer troops on their way to serve with the US Army. ^[7] Later, the town became a major service center for area planters, merchants and professionals. Following the capture of Little Rock by the Union Army in 1863, the pro-Confederate States of America state government moved the state government offices to Hot Springs for a short time, then ultimately based the state government out of Washington, making it the (rebel) state capital until 1865. ^{[8] [9]} Albert G. Simms (1882–1964), a United States representative from New Mexico, was born here. Following the construction of the Cairo and Fulton railroad eight miles to the south of Washington, which connected much of the state with Little Rock, the town began a slow decline. Now located on the area's primary travel route, Hope took on Washington's formerly important role. ^[10]

Geography

Washington is in north-central Hempstead County, 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Hope, the county seat. U.S. Route 278 passes through Washington as Columbus Street, leading southeast to Hope and northwest 19 miles (31 km) to Nashville. Arkansas Highway 195 has its northern terminus in Washington and leads southwest 14 miles (23 km) to Fulton on the Red River.^{[ citation needed ]}

According to the United States Census Bureau, Washington has a total area of 1.0 square mile (2.6 km²), all land. ^[11] The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Washington has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. ^[12]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	730		—
1890	519		−28.9%
1900	374		−27.9%
1910	399		6.7%
1920	556		39.3%
1930	457		−17.8%
1940	432		−5.5%
1950	344		−20.4%
1960	321		−6.7%
1970	290		−9.7%
1980	265		−8.6%
1990	148		−44.2%
2000	148		0.0%
2010	180		21.6%
2020	94		−47.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [13]

2020 census

Washington, Arkansas – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the U.S. census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000 [14]	Pop 2010 [15]	Pop 2020 [16]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	57	94	46	38.51%	52.22%	48.94%
Black or African American alone (NH)	91	78	39	61.49%	43.33%	41.49%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	0	0	0	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Asian alone (NH)	0	1	0	0.00%	0.56%	0.00%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	0	0	0	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Some Other Race alone (NH)	0	0	1	0.00%	0.00%	1.06%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH)	0	3	4	0.00%	1.67%	4.26%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	0	4	4	0.00%	2.22%	4.26%
Total	148	180	94	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the census ^[17] of 2000, there were 148 people, 78 households, and 40 families residing in the city. The population density was 147.6 inhabitants per square mile (57.0/km²). There were 93 housing units at an average density of 92.7 per square mile (35.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 38.51% White and 61.49% Black or African American.

There were 78 households, out of which 14.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.7% were non-families. 44.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.90 and the average family size was 2.58.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 14.9% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 25.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females, there were 72.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $19,375, and the median income for a family was $21,042. Males had a median income of $41,875 versus $20,313 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,066. There were 10.8% of families and 18.6% of the population living below the poverty line, including 25.0% of under eighteens and 21.7% of those over 64.

Education

Washington is within the Hope School District. ^[18] Students attend Hope High School. The former Washington School District was dissolved on July 1, 1990, with its territory given to the Hope school district as well as the Blevins and Saratoga school districts. ^[19]

Culture

Washington is home to Historic Washington State Park. ^[20]

Notable people

• James Black (1800–1872), blacksmith who crafted the Bowie knife based upon a design by Jim Bowie ^[21]
• Augustus Hill Garland (1832–1899), 38th Attorney General of the United States ^[22]
• Benjamin P. Jett, state legislator who served as Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives
• Daniel Webster Jones (1839–1918), 19th Governor of Arkansas ^[23]
• Charles Burton Mitchel (1815–1864), C.S. Senator from Arkansas ^[24]
• Albert Gallatin Simms (1882–1964), Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico's At-large district ^[25]

See also

• United States portal

• List of cities and towns in Arkansas
• List of memorials to George Washington
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Hempstead County, Arkansas

References

1. "Washington". Arkansas Municipal League. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
2. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Washington, Arkansas
4. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Washington city, Arkansas". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved April 19, 2017.^{[ dead link ‍]}
5. "Old Washington, Arkansas: Role in Developing History". Archived from the original on July 11, 2007. Retrieved June 20, 2007.
6. "Role in developing history". The Arkansas School for Mathematics. Archived from the original on July 11, 2007. Retrieved June 20, 2007.
7. "Washington". The Official Site of Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
8. "The Civil War in Arkansas - Places | Washington". Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved January 30, 2008.
9. "Old Washington, Arkansas:Significance in Civil War". Archived from the original on July 11, 2007. Retrieved January 30, 2008.
10. "Old Washington, Arkansas:Affects on the uprising of other cities". Archived from the original on July 12, 2007. Retrieved January 30, 2008.
11. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
12. "Climate Summary for Washington, Arkansas". Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
13. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
14. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Washington city, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau.
15. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Washington city, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau .
16. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Washington city, Arkansas". United States Census Bureau .
17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
18. "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Hempstead County, AR." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on October 15, 2017.
19. "ConsolidationAnnex_from_1983.xls Archived September 12, 2015, at the Wayback Machine ." Arkansas Department of Education. Retrieved on October 13, 2017.
20. "Historic Washington State Park". Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Archived from the original on February 8, 2011. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
21. "James Black (1800–1872)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture . Archived from the original on February 3, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
22. "Augustus Hill Garland (1832–1899)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture . Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
23. "Daniel Webster Jones (1839–1918)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture . Archived from the original on February 3, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
24. "Charles Burton Mitchel (1815–1864)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture . Archived from the original on February 3, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
25. "Biographical Information on Albert Gallatin Simms". New Mexico Office of the State Historian. Archived from the original on February 3, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.

External links

• Washington (Hempstead County) at Encyclopedia of Arkansas