Smackover, Arkansas

Smackover, Arkansas
City
Location in Union County and the state of Arkansas
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
County	Union
Area
• Total	4.2 sq mi (11 km2)
• Land	4.2 sq mi (11 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	121 ft (37 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	2,005
• Density	477.4/sq mi (182.3/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	71762
Area code	870
FIPS code	05-64730
GNIS feature ID	0058637

Smackover is a city in Union County, Arkansas. According to the 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city stands at 1,929.

The name Smackover comes from an anglicization of the French "Sumac Couvert" which translates to "covered in sumac". An alternative explanation is that local townspeople alleged that anyone going to settlement would be "smacked over," a reference to the lawlessness and crime prevalent in the area.

Geography

Smackover is located at 33°21′41″N 92°43′40″W (33.361525, -92.727855)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.2 square miles (11.0 km²), all of it land. Smackover is also an important town in South Arkansas.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 2,005 people, 794 households, and 565 families residing in the city. The population density was 471.9 people per square mile (182.1/km²). There were 915 housing units at an average density of 215.3/sq mi (83.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.57% White, 26.28% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, and 0.95% from two or more races. 0.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 794 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,807, and the median income for a family was $36,875. Males had a median income of $31,081 versus $19,536 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,461. About 9.1% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.8% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over.

Industry

• Cross Oil

Culture

Smackover is home to the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources. The Museum depicts the history and culture of Smackover and the surrounding area with an indoor reconstruction of downtown Smackover, an Oil Field Park, and numerous exhibits illustrating South Arkansas's oil industry. Smackover hosts an annual four-day Oil Town Festival held in June (more information can be found at http://www.amnr.org/south.htm).

Smackover was home to a rough-and-tumble oil boom camp. It began in Febuary 1923 when a Tonkawa man leased 1,000 feet of farmland. In June 1923 there was a huge flood, which covered the main street with 10 feet of water. Most of the inhabitants moved away permanently and no trace of the settlement remains today.

Notable People

In July of 1922 Sidney Albert Umstead became a wealthy man literally overnight when he struck oil in Smackover, Arkansas at the Richardson Well #1. Umstead later became very wealthy and powerful. Soon everyone called him the father of Smackover. He later explored for oil in Mississippi, Lousiana, Texas, and other states. With the rough atmosphere created by the oil boom Smackover soon became a wild place to live, so Umstead began construction on his house in Camden. Umstead died in a train accident in November of 1925.

Clyde Scott (born 29 August 1924 in Dixie, Louisiana) grew up in Smackover. Scott participated in both track and football at the University of Arkansas and the US Naval Academy. He also earned an Olympic medal in the 110 meter hurdles and competed professionally in the National Football League. He has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Sheri Smeltzer from Smackover became Miss Arkansas USA 1987.

Former Navy and Temple College Football Coach Wayne Hardin was born in Smackover. Hardin Coached two Heisman trophy winners at Navy, Joe Bellino in 1960 and Roger Staubach in 1963. He is also Temple's all time winningest coach.

Rockabilly stars Jimmy Lee Fautheree and Sleepy LaBeef were both born in Smackover.

Alex McGaugh