Arkadelphia, Arkansas

Arkadelphia is a city in and the county seat of Clark County, Arkansas, United States. The city is located near the Ouachita River at the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, along the Interstate 30 corridor between Little Rock and Texarkana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,380.

Arkadelphia developed as a river and railroad trading center and later became known as an educational center in southwest Arkansas. It is home to Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University, whose neighboring campuses and football rivalry, the Battle of the Ravine, are central to the city's college-town identity. Arkadelphia was incorporated in 1857.

History

Early settlement and Blakelytown

The area that became Arkadelphia was inhabited by Indigenous peoples before European-American settlement, including Caddo and Quapaw peoples in the broader region. The site of modern Arkadelphia developed on a bluff overlooking the Ouachita River. In 1809, Adam Blakely established a blacksmith shop at the site, which became known as Blakelytown. Other institutions founded in the period included schools and colleges for African American students, including Bethel College and the Colored Presbyterian Industrial School.

Twenty-first century

In the 21st century, Arkadelphia has continued to function as Clark County's seat, a college town, and a regional center for education, manufacturing, tourism, and outdoor recreation. The city is part of the Diamond Lakes region and serves as a gateway to nearby recreational areas, including DeGray Lake and DeGray Lake Resort State Park.

Geography

Arkadelphia is located in northeastern Clark County on the west bank of the Ouachita River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Arkadelphia was once known as the "City of Rainbows", perhaps because the humid climate often resulted in rain.

Demographics

2020 census

{| class="wikitable"

|+Arkadelphia racial composition

!Race

!Num.

!Perc.

|White (non-Hispanic)

|5,994

|57.75%

|Black or African American (non-Hispanic)

|3,255

|31.36%

|Native American

|36

|0.35%

|Asian

|137

|1.32%

|Pacific Islander

|13

|0.13%

|Other/Mixed

|475

|4.58%

|Hispanic or Latino

|470

|4.53%

As of the 2020 census, Arkadelphia had a population of 10,380, with 3,585 households and 1,966 families.

Of the households in Arkadelphia, 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. 30.5% were married-couple households, 20.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 42.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 39.9% of households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2000, there were 10,912 people, 3,865 households, and 2,187 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 4,216 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 68.98% White, 26.51% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 1.29% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.35% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.59% of the population.

There were 3,865 households, out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city, the age distribution of the population showed 18.1% under the age of 18, 32.9% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,651, and the median income for a family was $42,479. Males had a median income of $30,152 versus $19,459 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,268. About 19.8% of families and 23.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under the age of 18 and 15.9% of those 65 and older.

Economy

Arkadelphia's economy is influenced by education, manufacturing, health care, retail, tourism, and its role as the seat of Clark County. The city's two universities, Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State University, are major local institutions, along with the Arkadelphia Public School District. Manufacturing has historically included timber-related industries and later industrial employers such as Georgia-Pacific and Siplast.

The city also serves as a gateway to the Caddo and Ouachita river region and nearby recreational areas, including DeGray Lake Resort State Park. Tourism activity is supported by the Diamond Lakes region and the city's location along Interstate 30 and Arkansas Highway 7. The district is roughly bounded by Main Street between Fifth and Seventh streets and Clinton Street between Sixth and Ninth streets.

Museums and performing arts

The Clark County Historical Museum is based in the former Amtrak station and contains artifacts related to the history of Arkadelphia and Clark County. 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. 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, while OBU performing arts take place in the Jones Performing Arts Center on Ouachita Street.

Outdoor recreation

Arkadelphia is located near several outdoor recreation areas in the Ouachita foothills. DeGray Lake Resort State Park, located near Arkadelphia, includes a lodge, marina, convention center, golf course, tennis courts, and other recreation facilities.

Other area attractions include the Diamond Lakes Regional Visitors Center, the Reynolds Science Center Planetarium on the Henderson State University campus, and DeSoto Bluff overlooking the Ouachita River.

Education

Arkadelphia has long been known as an educational center in southwest Arkansas. The city was once home to the Arkansas Institute for the Blind, whose former building later became the first home of Ouachita Baptist College.

The city is home to Ouachita Baptist University, a private Baptist university founded in 1886, and Henderson State University, a public university founded in 1890 as Arkadelphia Methodist College.

Government

Arkadelphia operates under a city manager form of government. The city manager works with the mayor and reports to the city's Board of Directors. Arkadelphia is the county seat of Clark County, and the Clark County Courthouse is located downtown.

Notable people

Henry G. Bennett, longest-serving president of Oklahoma State University
Harley Bozeman, politician and confidant of Huey Long and Earl Long
Trent Bryant, professional football player
V. L. Cox, artist
Chad Griffin, political strategist and LGBTQ rights advocate
Cliff Harris, football player for the Dallas Cowboys and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Cecil Ivory, Presbyterian minister and civil rights leader
Percy Malone, Arkansas politician and pharmacist
W. Francis McBeth, composer and first Composer Laureate of Arkansas
Beth Moore, evangelist, author, and Bible teacher
Terry Nelson, NFL tight end
Bo Nix, NFL quarterback for the Denver Broncos
Tommy Patterson, basketball player
Jim Ranchino, political scientist, consultant, and pollster
Bob C. Riley, acting governor of Arkansas
Nick Tennyson, mayor of Durham, North Carolina
Kevin Williams, NFL defensive tackle
Winston P. Wilson, United States Air Force major general and chief of the National Guard Bureau

References

External links

Arkadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce
Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry: Arkadelphia