Arkadelphia, Arkansas

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".

Another explanation of the name is a combination of "adelphia" for place and "arc." Arkadelphia was once known as the "City of Rainbows," perhaps because the humid climate often resulted in rain.

Geography

Arkadelphia is located in northeastern Clark County at 34°7′19″N 93°3′58″W (34.121920, -93.066178), 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.

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.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 10,714 people residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 64.0% White, 30.0% Black, 0.4% Native American, 0.8% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from some other race and 1.4% from two or more races. 3.2% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,912 people, 3,865 households, and 2,187 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,486.2 people per square mile (574.0/km²). There were 4,216 housing units at an average density of 574.2 per square mile (221.8/km²). 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 is 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 population was spread out with 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 are 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

Major factors in Arkadelphia's economy are 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

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 School District. 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

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.

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.

Other family attractions include the Diamond Lakes Regional Visitors Center on Highway 7 near I-30, and the Reynolds Science Center Planetarium, open to the public during the academic year, is located on the Henderson State University campus.

Parks and recreation

Arkadelphia Parks and Recreation Department operates facilities and manages activities for the community. Within Feaster Park, the department operates Arkadelphia Aquatic Park, which features water slides, swimming, and diving areas. The park includes a recreation center that has an indoor basketball/volleyball court, a weight lifting area and an elevated walking track. In 2013, the department completed construction of DeSoto Bluff Trail, which overlooks the Ouachita River.

DeGray Lake Resort State Park surrounds 13,800-acre (5,600 ha) DeGray Lake, which is located 8 miles northwest of Arkadelphia, on Arkansas Scenic Byway 7. The state park has facilities for camping, fishing, water sports, golf, hiking, and biking. The Iron Mountain Bike Trail is a winding path inside the park that runs for approximately 26 miles (42 km).

The Caddo and Ouachita rivers merge just outside the northern city limits. Canoe and tube rentals are available in nearby Caddo Valley, Arkansas.

The Ouachita National Forest and Hot Springs National Park are located on the scenic byway, approximately 30 miles (48 km) north of Arkadelphia. To the west of Hot Springs is Lake Ouachita, which has more than 690 miles (1,110 km) of shoreline and more than 40,000 acres (16,000 ha) of water. The lake is surrounded by Ouachita National Forest. The tourist destination of Hot Springs is located adjacent to the national park. Bathhouse Row, Oaklawn Park Race Track and Casino and Magic Springs are some attractions located there.

Government

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.

Colleges and universities

Public schools

Arkadelphia School District operates five public schools:

For the 2011-2012 school year, there were approximately 2,125 students enrolled. In September 2015, voters in the Arkadelphia School District passed a millage increase earmarked for new elementary and middle schools. DR. Donnie Whitten is District Superintendent.

Private schools

Historic schools

Healthcare

Major medical services in Arkadelphia are provided by:

Major highways

Arkadelphia is intersected by Interstate 30, a primary east-west Interstate highway running northeast 68 miles (109 km) to Little Rock, 77 miles (124 km) southwest to Texarkana, and 254 miles (409 km) southwest to Dallas. 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. Highway 8 and Arkansas Highway 51 serve as primary east-west arterials for Arkadelphia. Arkansas Highway 7 provides a primary north-south route and has been designated as an Arkansas Scenic Byway. Arkansas Highway 874 is a system of state highways that serve Henderson State University.

Rail

Passenger rail service is provided by Amtrak's Texas Eagle, which stops at Arkadelphia station. Trains run daily between Chicago, Illinois and San Antonio, Texas. Connecting service between San Antonio and Los Angeles is available three times a week via the Sunset Limited.

Freight service in Arkadelphia is provided by Arkansas Midland Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad.

Aviation

Dexter B. Florence Memorial Field (KADF) in southeastern Arkadelphia can serve small business jets as well as single and double-engine aircraft. Henderson State University offers a four-year bachelor of science degree in aviation and is responsible for the airport's fixed-base operation.

Public transportation

Within the city, bus service is provided by South Central Arkansas Transit. (SCAT)

Utilities

Water and sewer utilities are provided by Arkadelphia's municipal water & wastewater system. The city's electric system is maintained by South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative, Inc., and natural gas is provided by CenterPoint Energy.

Notable people