Washington, Arkansas

Coordinates: 33°46′26.4″N 93°40′57.7″W / 33.774000°N 93.682694°W / 33.774000; -93.682694
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This article is about the city of Washington in Arkansas. For other uses, see Washington (disambiguation).

Washington, Arkansas
City
City of Washington
The Historic Washington State Park
The Historic Washington State Park
Location of Washington in Hempstead County, Arkansas.
Location of Washington in Hempstead County, Arkansas.
Washington is located in the United States
Washington
Washington
Location of Washington in the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°46′26.4″N 93°40′57.7″W / 33.774000°N 93.682694°W / 33.774000; -93.682694
Country United States
State Arkansas
CountyHempstead
TownshipOzan
Settled1824
Incorporated1880
Named forGeorge Washington
Government
[1]
 • TypeMayor–Council
 • MayorPaul Henley (I)
 • CouncilWashington City Council
Area
[2]
 • Total1.01 sq mi (2.61 km2)
 • Land1.01 sq mi (2.61 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
446 ft (136 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total180
 • Estimate 
(2017)[3]
170
 • Density168.82/sq mi (65.15/km2)
DemonymWashingtonian
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code
71862
Area code870
FIPS code05-73370
GNIS feature ID78702

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 local blacksmith, is credited with creating the legendary Bowie knife carried by Jim Bowie at his blacksmith shop in Washington.[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 Confederate 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 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.

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
CensusPop.Note%±
1880730—
1890519−28.9%
1900374−27.9%
19103996.7%
192055639.3%
1930457−17.8%
1940432−5.5%
1950344−20.4%
1960321−6.7%
1970290−9.7%
1980265−8.6%
1990148−44.2%
20001480.0%
201018021.6%
2017 (est.)170[3]−5.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 148 people, 78 households, and 40 families residing in the city. The population density was 147.6 people per square mile (57.1/km²). There were 93 housing units at an average density of 92.7/sq mi (35.9/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.[15] 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.[16]

Culture

Washington is home to Historic Washington State Park.[17]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ "Washington". Arkansas Municipal League. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  2. ^ "2017 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  4. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Washington city, Arkansas". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  5. ^ [1]
  6. ^ "Role in developing history". The Arkansas School for Mathematics.
  7. ^ "Washington". The Official Site of Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  8. ^ [2]
  9. ^ [3]
  10. ^ [4]
  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
  13. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Hempstead County, AR." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on October 15, 2017.
  16. ^ "ConsolidationAnnex_from_1983.xls." Arkansas Department of Education. Retrieved on October 13, 2017.
  17. ^ "Historic Washington State Park". Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  18. ^ "James Black (1800–1872)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. Retrieved February 2, 2018. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ "Augustus Hill Garland (1832–1899)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. Retrieved August 17, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ "Daniel Webster Jones (1839–1918)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. Retrieved February 2, 2018. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ "Charles Burton Mitchel (1815–1864)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. Retrieved February 2, 2018. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ "Biographical Information on Albert Gallatin Simms". New Mexico Office of the State Historian. Retrieved February 2, 2018.

External links

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