At the time of early settlement, the nearest store was in Missouri, the nearest mill at Natural Dam and nearest neighbor was John Billingsley, probably at Cane Hill some seven miles to the west. Other early settlers of West Fork were Zadok Winn, Ambrose and Strangeman Hutchinson, Dicke Dye, John Rutherford and Andrew Karnes.[citation needed]
The settlement, about ten miles south of Fayetteville, was likely always known as West Fork after the West Fork of the White River. As early as 1838, Gilstrap’s Mill was built some four miles south, and was used for both grinding grains and sawing lumber. Several steam driven mills also were built.
In 1838 the first post office was opened. The West Fork Christian Church was started in 1837. Citizens of the town passed a resolution in April 1861 opposing secession and any act that united them with the Confederacy.[citation needed] Like all towns in this area, West Fork suffered from the Civil War, especially from bushwhackers or guerrilla forces.
The St.Louis & San Francisco Railway was built through West Fork in 1881. Commercial development continued for a number of years with a large canning operation starting for tomatoes and evaporating apples in the 1890’s.
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 2,042 people, 750 households, and 600 families residing in the city. The population density was 612.8 inhabitants per square mile (236.6/km2). There were 800 housing units at an average density of 240.1 per square mile (92.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.56% White or European American, 0.44% Black or African American, 0.93% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 1.71% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. 3.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 750 households, out of which 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.3% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.9% were non-families. 16.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.72 and the average family size was 4.04.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.0% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.
Economically one of the poorer regions of the Northwest Arkansas region, the median income for a household in the city was $31,356, and the median income for a family was $34,818. Males had a median income of $28,037 versus $20,091 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,976. About 34.6% of families and 25.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.3% of those under age 18 and 19.7% of those age 65 or over.
Parks and recreation
The West Fork of the White River flows through the east side of the town. The town sits on the West Fork of the White River, hence the name.[8] Alongside the river is Riverside Park, a common spot for recreational activities such as parties and reunions. The park features playground equipment, several pavilions, many benches, and a walking path. The town is flanked by mountains on both the east and west with Bloyd Mountain on the east has an elevation of 2,020 feet (620m).[8]
All of the West Fork schools are co-located on School Avenue, west of the White River. West Fork's official school mascot is a tiger.
Media
West Fork is the home of the Washington County Observer newspaper.[10]
Transportation
As of 2023, there is no fixed route transit service in West Fork. Ozark Regional Transit operates demand-response service in the city.[11] The nearest intercity bus service is provided by Jefferson Lines in nearby Fayetteville.[12]
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