S-Y
St. Francis | Saline | Scott | Searcy | Sebastian | Sevier | Sharp |
Stone | Union | Van Buren | Washington | White | Woodruff | Yell
St. Francis
Located in east central Arkansas, St. Francis was created in 1827 from Phillips County and named for the river that flows through the area - the St. Francis. The first seat of government was located at Franklin before moving to Madison. In 1874, Forrest City became the seat of government. Wheatly, Widener, Hughes, Forrest City and Palestine are major communities within this agricultural region.
Saline
Hempstead and Pulaski counties gave land for the creation of Saline County in 1835. In the heart of central Arkansas, Saline County was named for the salt works that were located within its limits. The salt mines began work in the 1820s and its goods were shipped throughout the southern United States. The Saline River flows through its boundaries. The seat of government is Benton. Traskwood, Benton, Bryant, Harmony Grove, Paron and Bauxite are communities of note in Saline County.
Scott
In western Arkansas, Scott County was created in 1833 from land in Crawford and Pope counties. It was named for Andrew Scott, an early settler and judge of Arkansas's Superior Court. Waldron is its county seat. Other large communities include Olio, Weeks, Barton and Coaldale.
Searcy
In 1838, Governor James Conway created Searcy County from parts of Marion County in north central Arkansas. It was named after Richard Searcy, the first clerk and a judge in Lawrence County. The first seat of government was at Lebanon on the Buffalo River before moving to Marshall in 1856, where it has remained since. Marshall was originally named Burrowville, after N.B. Burrow, and changed to Marshall in 1884. St. Joe, White Springs, Landis, Pindall, Snowball and Marshall are all communities of note in Searcy County.
Sebastian
On the western boundary of Arkansas is Sebastian County. It was created in 1851 and named after William K. Sebastian, a judge for the U.S. Circuit Court. The county seat was first located at Greenwood, then moved to the second-largest community in Arkansas, Fort Smith, before being relocated back to Greenwood in 1852. In 1861, it was decided that the county would have two seats of government; one at Fort Smith and the other at Greenwood. Fort Smith, originally Belle Point, was a U.S. military installation throughout the 1800s along the Arkansas River. The Hanging Judge, Isaac Parker, presided over its court system in the late 1800s. Hackett, Hartford, Greenwood, Fort Smith, Midland, Jenny Lind, Lavaca, Mansfield and Washburn are communities of note in the area.
Sevier
In 1828, Sevier County in southwest Arkansas was created from Hempstead and Miller counties. It was named for Ambrose Sevier, speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives and U.S. Senator. Its county seat was at Paraclifta in 1828 before being moved in 1871 to Lockesburg. The Cossatot River runs through the county is a tourist attraction for those wishing to visit this beautiful Arkansas site. Horatio, DeQueen, Gillham, Lockesburg and Paraclifta are communities in Sevier County.
Sharp
Created in 1868 from lands in Lawrence County, Sharp County in northeast Arkansas was named after Ephraim Sharp, a settler. The Strawberry and Spring rivers flow through its boundaries and the county seat is located at Ash Flat. Communities include Hardy, Evening Shade, Ash Flat and Sidney.
Stone
Located in the north central part of Arkansas, Stone County was created in 1873 from Independence, Izard, Van Buren and Searcy counties. It was named for the geological traits found in the area. The county seat is located at Mountain View. The Ozark National Forest is located within its borders. Major communities include Timbo, Mountain View, Sylamore and St. James.
Union
Created in 1829 from land in Clark and Hempstead counties, Union county is located in the southwest corner of Arkansas and is the largest county in the state. The county seat was originally located at Camden before moving to El Dorado in the 1840s. Union County is best known for oil boom of the 1920s, which made it a wealthy area. Hutting, El Dorado, Mount Holly, Strong, Junction City, Smackover and Norphlet are a few of its communities.
Van Buren
Named for President Martin Van Buren, Van Buren County was created in 1833 from Conway, Independence and Izard counties. The rugged landscape is conducive to subsistence agriculture and the Little Red River runs through its boundaries. The seat of government is located at Clinton. Today, Van Buren County is known for containing a portion of Greers Ferry Lake, a tourist destination. Choctaw, Clinton, Bee Branch, Scotland, Shirley and Alread are communities of note.
Washington
In 1828, Washington County in northwest Arkansas was created and named after George Washington, the first president of the United States. It was created from lands known as "Lovely's Purchase." Lovely's Purchase was comprised of Osage Indian lands and purchased in 1816 and given to the Cherokee Indians for settlement a year later. By the late 1820s, white settlers were allowed to settle in Lovely's Purchase. Fayetteville is the county seat. Today, Washington County is the home of the  University of Arkansas and the Arkansas Razorback football team. It is also the home Tyson Enterprises. Elkins, Farmington, Fayetteville, Springdale, West Fork, Winslow, Lincoln and Prairie Grove are its major communities.
White
The second largest county in the state was created in 1835 from land in east central Arkansas. White County was named for Hugh L. White, a candidate for president of the United States. Searcy is the county seat and the largest community in its borders. Communities within White County include Bald Knob, Beebe, Bradford, McRae, Pangburn, Riverview, Rose Bud and Searcy.
Woodruff
In 1862, Gov. Harris Flanagin created Woodruff County in eastern Arkansas. It was named after William Woodruff, founder of the first newspaper published in Arkansas, the Arkansas Gazette. The county is drained by the Cache and White Rivers, and much of its land is conducive to agriculture. Augusta was the first seat of government before it was moved to Cotton Plant. McCrory, Augusta and Cotton Plant are the major communities within Woodruff County.
Yell
Named for Gov. Archibald Yell, Yell County was created in 1840 from lands in west central Arkansas. It is located in the Arkansas River Valley and contains portions of the Arkansas National Forest. The county seat is at Danville with a branch of county courts at Dardanelle. Large communities include Plainview, Danville, Dardanelle, Ola and Fourche Valley.
Counties By Letter
A-C | D-J | L-M | N-R | S-Z
Back to Top
|
