Little River County, Arkansas

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Date: 5 Mar 1867 [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surnames/tags: little_river_county,_arkansas us_history

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1 Welcome to the Little River County, Arkansas!

Welcome to the Little River County, Arkansas!

Created March 5, 1867 from Sevier County and named for the Little Red River. The county was named for the Little River which runs through the area. The first known inhabitants of the area wre the Caddo Indians, who were farmers and hunters. In the early 1800s, the area was settled by European Americans, many of whom were farmers and operated cotton plantations. The county was also hom to several sawmills and timber companies, as wel as a thriving agricultural industry. The county seat is Ashdown. The county has a rich history and is known for its beautiful natural scenery, including Millwood Lake and the Little River.

Maps and Boundaries

Little River County is located in the southwestern part of the state of Arkansas. It is bordered by the following Counties:

Communities

Cities

Ashdown

Foreman

Winthrop

Towns

Ogden

Wilton

Census-designated place

Alleene	Arden	Arkinda	Billingsleys Corner
Cerrogordo	Cole	Cross Roads	Eastport
Fomby	Hicks	Jacks Isle	Jewell
Lanesport	Long	Millwood	Oak Grove
Orton	Pankov	Peytonville	Pine Prairie
Red Bluff	Richmond	Temple	Wades Chapel
Wallace	Yarborough Landing

Other Unincorporated Places

Alleene

Comet

Rocky Comfort

Townships:

Arden	Arkinda	Burke	Caney
Cleveland	Franklin	Jackson	Jeff Davis
Jefferson	Johnson	Lick Creek	Little River
Red River	Richland	Wallace

Historical Communities

Bishop	Carson	Coleboro	Goodland
Horseshoe Lake	Hudson	Lippton	Morris Ferry
Rankin	Richmond Junction	White Cliffs

Military History

During the Civil War, the area that would later become Little River County, Arkansas, played a significant role in the conflict. Confederate General Sterling Price, a prominent figure in the war, made camp at Laynesport within the region. This encampment served as a crucial resting point for Price's troops as they recovered from the strenuous campaigns and raids that had taken them through Missouri, Kansas, and the Indian Territory. Notably, on August 28, 1864, General Price led an army from Camden on a raid that traversed several states before returning to Arkansas at Laynesport on December 2. The Confederate forces, particularly those from Missouri, established a camp at Richmond on December 5, where they recuperated and awaited information on the location of their winter camp. The troops left Richmond on December 24 to rejoin the rest of the Confederate army at Washington. The historical marker commemorating this significant event stands as a testament to the area's role in the Civil War and the presence of Confederate forces during this tumultuous period.

Festivals and Tourism Events

The Whistlestop Festival in Ashdown, Arkansas, serves as a vibrant celebration of Little River County's rich history, particularly its connections to railroads and rivers. This festival pays homage to the area's cultural and economic heritage with a variety of engaging events. Past editions of the festival have featured a catfish cook-off, an antique car show, and an array of games and activities for children, including turtle races and Frog Giggin. Attendees can enjoy live music performances, explore train memorabilia, indulge in delicious food from vendors, and peruse crafts on display. The festival also encompasses an antique shops scavenger hunt, providing a unique and enjoyable experience for visitors. Special museum displays add an educational element, allowing participants to delve deeper into the region's history. The inclusion of a pancake breakfast further enhances the community spirit, making the Whistlestop Festival a cherished annual event that brings together locals and visitors to celebrate Little River County's heritage in a festive and entertaining manner.

Historical Landmarks

Anderson-Hobson Mercantile Store

Anderson-Hobson Mercantile Store - is a historic commercial building at 201 Schuman Street in Foreman, Arkansas. It is a three-story brick structure with modest Italianate styling, mainly visible in brick corbelling details and River County. Its location in the outskirts of Wilton, in a rural area that was near Joel Mills I's homestead, and near the Mills Ferry that he operated on Little River, illustrates the elements of integrity of location, setting, feeling, and association. The area is commonly referred to as "Red Hill" due to the red clay in the ground. Tsegmented-arch window crowns. It was built in 1910 and is one of the few commercial buildings in the county from this period. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

Ashdown Commercial Historic District

Ashdown Commercial Historic District - is a historic district in Ashdown, Arkansas. The district includes a collection of commercial buildings that were built in the early 20th century and are significant for their architectural and historical value. The district is roughly bounded by Main St., Elm St., and 3rd Ave.

The buildings in the district include a variety of architectural styles such as the Beaux-Arts, Art Deco, and Classical Revival, and are made of brick, stone, and other materials. Some of the notable buildings include the Ashdown Public Library, the Little River County Courthouse, the Ashdown Post Office, the Bank of Ashdown, and the Ashdown City Hall.

The Ashdown Commercial Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. It represents the commercial and civic development of Ashdown during the early 20th century, and is an example of the city's prosperity during this period.

Judge Jefferson Thomas Cowling House

Judge Jefferson Thomas Cowling House - is a distinctive local example of the style of architecture that has come to be known as Transitional. Its asymmetrical, interpenetrating massing and conical corner turret recall the Queen Anne style, while its pedimented bays and classical porch columns herald the Colonial Revival style that first appeared in the United States after the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition of 1876, and which acquired increasing popularity thereafter. Judge Cowling was a prominent jurist, a dedicated church leader at both the local and state levels, and a successful and influential bussinessman. He built this house to accommodate the frequent guests he received as a result of his various activities and in response to the rapid growth that was taking place in Ashdown.

Hawkins House

Hawkins House - Built in 1912, the Hawkins House remains one of the earliest surviving residence from Foreman's most dramatic period of growth after the arrival of the Arkansas and Choctaw Railroad (later the Frisco line).

Hunter-Coulter House

Hunter-Coulter House - Built in 1918, the Hunter-Coulter House was built by local builder Henry Westbrook for William Grant Hunter, a Fredericksburg, Indiana native who relocated his undertaking business to Ashdown. The house was purchased by a Dr. John Coulter, a dentist from nearby Mineral Springs, Arkansas in 1928 and remained in his family until 1991, when his daughters sold it to Ed and Helen Russel, who two years later sold it to the Little River County Historical Society.

Little River County Courthouse

Little River County Courthouse - is a historic courthouse located in Ashdown, Arkansas. the courthouse is a signficant example of the Beaux-Arts architectural style and was built in 1909. The building features a central rotunda with a dome, as wel as a grand staircase and ornate plasterwork. The building also has a prominent portico with six Corinthian columns, which serves as the main entrance to the courthouse. The Courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, due to its architectural and historical significance.

Little River County Training School Historic District

Little River County Training School Historic District - is an historic district in Ashdown, Arkansas that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. The district includes the Little River County Training School, which was built in 1927 and served as a school for African American students in the area until it closed in 1970. The school is a two-story brick building that is an example of the type of school constructed for African American students in the South during the early 20th century. The district also includes several other buildings and structures that were associated with the school, including a gymnasium, a vocational building, and a baseball field. The district is significant for its association with the education of African American students during a time when educational opportunities were limited for this population.

Ashdown Railroad Depot

Ashdown Railroad Depot - The Memphis, Paris and Gulf Railroad Depot, located at the northern corner of Witaker Avenue and Frisco Street in downtown Ashdown, is a single-story, wood frame railroad depot designed in the Plain Traditional style common for such depot buildings throughout the state, but with more unusual Folk Victorian influences. Such elements as the decorative wood brackets and the stick detail in the gable verges ornament what is otherwise a relativity simple design. Though the interior has been largely refinishe, the exterior is intact.

Mills Cemetery

Mills Cemetery - The Mills Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Little River County, and interred herein are several of the first settlers in the Wilton area, and Littlehe design and layout of the cemtery is the same as it was when it was first established with the first burial dating to 1855.

New Rocky Comfort Jail

New Rocky Comfort Jail - Built in 1902, the New Rocky Comfort Jail has served the community of Foreman almost continually since its construction. Located near the southeast corner of Third and Schuman Streets, is a single-story building in the Plain Traditional style resting on a foundation of concrete block piers and covered by a metal gable roof. Built by a local carpenter Bun Hopson, the structure is unusual as it is constructed of stacked two-by-six planks for the floor, wals, and ceiling of the rectangular section.

Will Reed Farm House

Will Reed Farm House - The Pioneer Farm House is located on the Main Street of Alleene, Arkansas. It is made of hand hewn logs, and covered with hand riven cypress shingles which replace the original ones.

The house is thirty-three feet wide, and fifty-three feet long. It has a hallway or "dog trot" down the center of it. On one side is the living room, and kitchen, while on the other side is the bedroom, and "shed" room which was made by enclosing one end of the porch in 1973.

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church - Erected in 1898, the St. Barnabase Episcopal Church has grown and developed with the community of Foreman. The church was designed by A. M. Hawkins in the Simple Gothic Revival style. During the time the congregation became an "Organized Mission." Bishop W. M. Brown dedicated the building to St. Barnabas, because the first baptism at New Rocky Comfort was held on St. Barnabas Day.

Wilton Railroad Depot

Wilton Railroad Depot - Built in 1893, this single-story wood-frame structure is the only surviving station built by the Texarkana and Fort Smith Railway, which only existed as an independent entiry from 1885 to 1892.

National and State Protected Areas

Beard's Bluff - is a campground park in Little River County, Arkansas near Ashdown. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers it is on Millwood Lake and offers recreational opportunities like hiking along the beach, fishing, camping, picnicing and boating.
Millwood Lake - Millwood Lake is a man-made lake located in Little River County, Arkansas. It was created in the early 1970s by the construction of a dam on the Little River, a tributary of the Red River, in order to provide flood control and hydroelectric power to the surrounding area. The lake has 29,500 acres of water surface and has an extensive shoreline of around 300 miles, making it a popular spot for boating, fishing, and other water activities. The lake is also known for its excellent bass fishing. The lake's shoreline is mostly wooded and provides great opportunities for bird-watching and wildlife viewing. The lake is surrounded by the Millwood Lake State Park, a protected area.
Millwood State Park - The park was established in the early 1970s, around the same time the lake was created. The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hunting, and camping. The park features several boat ramps and marinas, making it a popular spot for boating and fishing The lake is known for its excellent bass fishing, as well as catfish, crappie and bream. The park also has a number of hiking and nature trails including the Millwood Trail, which winds through the park's wooded hills and provides great opportunities for bird-watching and wildlife viewing. The park also offers camping facilities, including RV and tent camping sites, as well as cabins for rent.

Notables

Marion Harland Crank was born on February 18, 1915 in Bearden, Ouachita County, Arkansas. He holds significance in Arkansas politics as a notable Democratic figure who served in the Arkansas House of Representatives for nearly two decades, from 1951 to 1968. His leadership role as the Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1963 to 1964 further highlights his influence within the state's political landscape. In 1968, Crank secured the Democratic nomination for the gubernatorial race, positioning himself as a key candidate. Although he faced a close contest, he ultimately fell short in the election against incumbent Republican Winthrop Rockefeller. Crank's candidacy and political career contribute to the historical tapestry of Arkansas politics during a pivotal period, reflecting the dynamic nature of the state's political climate.
Jefferson Davis was born on May 6, 1862 in Rocky Comfort, Arkansas. He is a notable Democratic politician in Arkansas. He held the position of 20th Governor of the state from 1901 to 1907, and later served in the U.S. Senate from 1907 to 1913. Notably, Davis marked the era as one of Arkansas's early New South governors, introducing new dynamics to the state's political landscape. His leadership style, characterized by a silver tongue and adept use of demagoguery, allowed him to tap into the grievances of poor white farmers, building a substantial populist following. However, Davis's divisive approach, often attributing agricultural challenges to urbanites, African Americans, and Northerners, led to a sharp and fervent division within the state between "pro-Davis" and "anti-Davis" factions. His political influence and polarizing tactics make him a noteworthy figure in Arkansas's history.
Charles Jackson French was born on September 25, 1919 in Foreman, Arkansas. He is notable for his dedicated service as a United States Navy sailor during a critical period in American history. Enlisting initially in 1937, French completed his first stint in the navy and resettled in Omaha, Nebraska. However, with the pivotal attack on Pearl Harbor, he swiftly responded to the call of duty. Displaying a strong sense of patriotism and commitment, he re-enlisted in the United States Navy on December 19, 1941, in the wake of the devastating events that marked the country's entry into World War II. His decision to rejoin the military in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack underscores his courage and readiness to contribute to the defense of the nation during a time of global conflict. He saved fifteen of his shipmates after their high-speed transport was sunk in combat.
Silas Herbert Hunt was born on March 1, 1922, in Ashdown, Arkansas. He is a notable figure for his pivotal role in the integration of higher education in Arkansas and the broader Southern United States. A World War II veteran, Hunt achieved historic significance in 1948 when he gained admission to the University of Arkansas School of Law. This milestone marked not only his personal accomplishment, but also a groundbreaking moment in the region's history, as Hunt became the first African American student admitted to the university since the Reconstruction era. Significantly, his admission also marked the first instance of a black student being accepted for graduate or professional studies at any all-white university in the former Confederate states. Hunt's courage and determination to break racial barriers contributed significantly to the progress of desegregation in education, leaving an indelible mark on the path towards equality.
Hazel Leona (Walker) Crutcher was born on August 8, 1914, on her family’s farm near Burk, nine miles from Ashdown, Arkansas. She is the preeminent amateur women's basketball player of the 1930s and 1940s, earning recognition with eleven Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) All-American distinctions. What sets her apart is her exceptional achievement as the sole woman to own, manage, and star for her own professional basketball team, the Arkansas Travelers. From 1949 to 1965, Walker led the Travelers in barnstorming across the country, competing exclusively against men's teams under men's rules. Remarkably, her team consistently achieved an impressive win rate of eighty to eighty-five percent over the sixteen seasons. Hazel Walker's pioneering contributions to women's basketball, both as a player and team owner, make her a notable and trailblazing figure in the history of the sport.

Records and Resources

Sources

HomeTownLocator, Arkansas Gazetteer, (n.d.). "Home Town Locator Local Maps, Data and Resources." Accessed 19 Jan 2024.
Hearthstone Legacy Publications, (n.d.). "Little River County, Arkansas History and Genealogy." Accessed 19 Jan 2024.
Bureau of the Census. "Little River County section of Arkansas Minor Civil Divisions map." in the United States Census of Population 1930.42, Washington, D.C., U.S. Government Printing Office, 1934.
Wikipedia contributors. Little River County, Arkansas. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. May 9, 2023, 09:54 UTC. Available at: Little River County, Arkansas. Accessed January 20, 2024.
The Historical Marker Database (HMdb), (n.d.). "Richmond in Little River County, Arkansas." Accessed 19 Jan 2024.

Space Page for Little River County, Arkansas Jan 20, 2023.

Images: 14

Map of Arkansas highlighting Little River County