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Arkadelphia, Arkansas

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Arkadelphia, Arkansas
City
Streetside in Arkadelphia
Streetside in Arkadelphia
CountryUnited States
StateArkansas
CountyClark
Government
 • TypeCity manager
Area
 • Total
7.3 sq mi (18.9 km2)
 • Land7.3 sq mi (18.8 km2)
 • Water0.04 sq mi (0.1 km2)
Elevation
246 ft (75 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total
10,714
 • Density1,476/sq mi (569.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
71923, 71998, 71999
Area code870
FIPS code05-01870
GNIS feature ID0076188
Websitewww.cityofarkadelphia.com

Arkadelphia is a city in Clark County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 10,714.[1] The city is the county seat of Clark County.[2] It is situated at the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. Two universities, Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University, are located there. Arkadelphia was incorporated in 1857.

History

The site was settled in about 1809 by John Hemphill, operator of a nearby salt works, Arkansas's first industry. It was known as Blakelytown until 1839, when the settlement adopted the name Arkadelphia. Origin of the name "Arkadelphia" is uncertain. One possibility is that it was formed by combining Ark- from the state's name Arkansas and adelphia from the Greek meaning "brother/place".[3] Another possibility is that the city was named after Arkadelphia, Alabama, a small community just north of Birmingham. Many early settlers of the area arrived from that state, and it was a common practice at the time to name newly founded communities after ones that the settlers had left behind.

Geography

Arkadelphia is located in northeastern Clark County at 34°7′19″N 93°3′58″W / 34.12194°N 93.06611°W / 34.12194; -93.06611 (34.121920, -93.066178),[4] on the west bank of the Ouachita River. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.3 square miles (18.9 km2), of which 7.3 square miles (18.8 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.49%, is water.[1]

Demographics

As of the census[5] of 2010, there were 10,714 people, 3,735 households, and 2,046 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,467.7 people per square mile (566.9/km²). There were 4,158 housing units at an average density of 569.6 per square mile (220/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.5% White, 30.3% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, .8% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. 3.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,735 households out of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.6% were married couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.2% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age was 23.6 years. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,315, and the median income for a family was $65,313. Males had a median income of $43,369 versus $35,316 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,739. 29.4% of the population and 21.1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 31.0% of those under the age of 18 and 16.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Economy

Arkadelphia's economy is held together by two main industries, education and manufacturing. Ouachita Baptist University, Henderson State University and Arkadelphia School District employ many people in the education sector. The manufacturing sector consists of Alumacraft Boat Co., Danfoss Scroll Technologies LLC, Georgia Pacific and Siplast. The economy includes small-scale businesses, including fast-food restaurants.

The city is served by a daily newspaper, The Daily Siftings Herald.

Arts and culture

Jones Performing Arts Center on OBU's campus

Opened in 2011, the Arkadelphia Arts Center hosts exhibits, productions and educational workshops for many organizations in town, including the Caddo River Art Guild, the Poet and Writer's Guild, the Little Theatre, the two universities, and Arkadelphia Public Schools.[6] Henderson State University holds plays and musical performances in Arkansas Hall located on campus. Ouachita Baptist University displays student art and sculpture in the Hammons Gallery. OBU performing arts take place in the OBU Jones Performing Arts Center on Ouachita Street.

Tourism

Captain Henderson House

The Clark County Historical Museum contains artifacts from prehistoric times through today in an attempt to document the history of the county. Based in the former Amtrak station, a historic tour through Arkadelphia, including the historic James E. M. Barkman House. The Captain Henderson House is a historic bed and breakfast owned and operated by Henderson State University and originally inhabited by the university's namesake.[7]

Downtown Arkadelphia includes the Arkadelphia Commercial Historic District, the Arkadelphia Confederate Monument, Clark County Courthouse, and the Clark County Library, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[7]

Family attractions around Arkadelphia include the Arkadelphia Aquatic Park, which features water slides, diving, and swimming areas located in Feaster Park, and Diamond Lakes Regional Visitors Center off on Highway 7 near I-30. The Reynolds Science Center Planetarium, open to the public during the academic year, is located on the Henderson State University campus.

Parks and recreation

The Ouachita National Forest is located 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Arkadelphia, with plentiful recreation opportunities. DeGray Lake Resort State Park, 8 to 26 miles (13 to 42 km) northwest of Arkadelphia, has camping, water sports, golf, hiking, and fishing. The Iron Mountain Bike Trail System, approximately 26 miles (42 km), is a winding path that includes a rock garden near the parking area. Canoe and tube rentals along the Caddo River are also available.

Government

Arkadelphia City Hall

Arkadelphia operates under the city manager form of government. There is a seven-member city council known as the board of directors that appoint the city manager. Five members of the board are elected via ward. Two members are elected at large, one of which is the Mayor position.

Education

Arkadelphia School District operates five public schools: Central Primary School, Louisa E. Perritt Primary School, Peake Elementary School, Goza Middle School and Arkadelphia High School. For the 2011 to 2012 school year, there were approximately 2,125 students enrolled.

Donnie Whitten is superintendent of schools.[8]

Infrastructure

Transportation

Dexter B. Florence Memorial Field, Arkadelphia

Arkadelphia has access to Interstate 30, a primary east-west Interstate highway running northeast 68 miles (109 km) to Little Rock and 77 miles (124 km) southwest to Texarkana, with Dallas beyond. US Route 67 runs parallel to I-30 and connects Arkadelphia to Malvern 25 miles (40 km) to the northeast and Gurdon 15 miles (24 km) to the southwest. US 67 is partially concurrent with Arkansas Highway 7. Highway 8 and Highway 51 serve as main east-west highways across Arkadelphia.[9]

Passenger rail service through Arkadelphia is provided by Amtrak's Texas Eagle route, which stops in the city.[10]

Dexter B. Florence Memorial Field in southeastern Arkadelphia can serve small business jets as well as double- and single-engine aircraft. It serves almost exclusively general aviation operations.

Notable people

Climate

The climate is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Arkadelphia has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Arkadelphia city, Arkansas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ^ "Arkadelphia (Arkansas, United States) - Encyclopedia Britannica". Britannica.com. Retrieved 2013-07-10.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2014-09-25.
  6. ^ "Grand Opening, Arkadelphia Arts Center". InArkansas.com. October 11, 2011. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
  7. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  8. ^ "Arkadelphia Public Schools". Arkadelphia School District. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  9. ^ General Highway Map, Arkadelphia, Clark County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). Cartography by Planning and Research Division. Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. April 2006. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
  10. ^ Amtrak - Texas Eagle, Amtrak, retrieved 2014-09-25
  11. ^ Harley Bozeman obituary, Winn Parish Enterprise-News-American, Winnfield, Louisiana, May 20, 1971
  12. ^ "Biography of the Honorable Johnny Key, Arkansas State Senator" (PDF). arkleg.state.ar.us. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  13. ^ "About Rod D. Martin". The Martin Organization. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  14. ^ Climate Summary for Arkadelphia, Arkansas


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