Clarksville, Arkansas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Clarksville, Arkansas
City
Old train station in Clarksville
Location of Clarksville in Johnson County, Arkansas
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
County	Johnson
Settled	1819
Established	November 1836
Area
• Total	18.84 sq mi (48.78 km2)
• Land	18.22 sq mi (47.18 km2)
• Water	0.62 sq mi (1.60 km2)
Elevation	367 ft (112 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	9,381
• Density	514.99/sq mi (198.83/km2)
Time zone	UTC−06:00 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−05:00 (CDT)
ZIP code	72830
Area codes	479
FIPS code	05-14140
GNIS feature ID	2404060

Clarksville is a city in Johnson County, Arkansas, in the United States. It's the main city, or county seat, of Johnson County. In 2020, about 9,381 people lived there.

The city is located between the Arkansas River and the Ozark Mountains. Major highways like Interstate 40 and US Highway 64 cross paths here. Clarksville is famous for its delicious peaches, beautiful roads, and many outdoor activities.

History of Clarksville

Early Settlements and Native American Land

The area where Clarksville now stands was first settled as people moved into the Arkansas Territory. Before that, the Osage tribe lived here. After a treaty moved them, Cherokee settlers arrived in Arkansas around 1800. They mostly lived along the Arkansas River.

A special trading post for Native Americans was set up in 1818 at a place called Spadra. This spot is now near Lake Dardanelle on the Arkansas River. A historical marker there tells about the original river town of Spadra. The land was set aside for the Cherokee until 1828, when they gave up their claim. Most early settlers of Johnson County moved in after this time.

Clarksville Becomes the County Seat

Spadra was the first county seat of Johnson County. This meant it was the main town for government business. It was easy to reach by steamboat. However, as stagecoaches and trains became more common, travel routes from Little Rock to Fort Smith shifted. These new routes went through higher land, right where Clarksville is.

Clarksville started to grow, and by 1833, it became the unofficial county seat. This probably happened because Spadra often flooded. Clarksville was officially surveyed and established in November 1836. This was after Johnson County was created from part of Pope County. The first court meeting in Clarksville was held in a private building in 1837.

The Arrival of the Railroad

In 1853, the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad decided to build its tracks through Clarksville instead of Spadra. This was because Clarksville offered financial help to the railroad. Almost 20 miles of track near Spadra had to be moved.

Regular train service began after the Civil War. This helped Clarksville grow even more. A new small town, New Spadra, even started next to the new train tracks. Fewer people traveled by river, so Spadra became less important. Its main buildings either fell apart or were moved. Clarksville, however, became the new home for many settlers arriving by train.

Geography and Location

Clarksville is in the southern part of Johnson County. The Arkansas River forms its southern border. The city center is about 3 miles north of the river. It is also west of Spadra Creek.

Interstate 40 runs through Clarksville. It goes southeast about 100 miles to Little Rock. To the west, it goes about 55 miles to Fort Smith.

The United States Census Bureau says Clarksville covers about 18.84 square miles (48.78 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Population Information

Clarksville's Growing Population

Clarksville has seen its population grow over the years. Here's how many people have lived in the city at different times:

Who Lives in Clarksville?

The 2020 United States census counted 9,381 people living in Clarksville. There were 3,456 households and 2,116 families.

Here's a look at the different groups of people who make up Clarksville's population:

Education in Clarksville

University of the Ozarks

The Arkansas Cumberland College first opened its doors in Clarksville on September 8, 1891. This private school was later renamed the College of the Ozarks in 1920. In 1987, it became the University of the Ozarks. It is a private university focused on liberal arts. It is connected with the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Clarksville Public Schools

Clarksville has its own public school district called Clarksville Schools. Their mascot is a panther, and their school colors are red and white. The school system is divided into six levels:

• Primary (Kindergarten-1st grade)
• Elementary (2nd-3rd grade)
• Intermediate (4th-5th grade)
• Middle (6th-7th grade)
• Junior High (8th-9th grade)
• High School (10th-12th grade)

In 2011, Clarksville was the first school district in Arkansas to give every student in 7th through 12th grades their own laptop computer to take home. In 2022, 4th and 5th graders also started getting laptops. The Clarksville School District has a high graduation rate, with over 92% of students finishing high school.

Local Culture and Events

Johnson County Peach Festival

Clarksville is famous for hosting the Johnson County Peach Festival. This event started in 1938 and lasts almost a week, from Tuesday to Saturday. It brings visitors from all over the country!

The festival is packed with fun activities and events, including:

• Barbershop chorus performances
• Gospel music concerts
• Delicious homemade food
• Handmade arts and crafts
• A street dance
• A frog jumping contest
• A turtle derby
• A greased pig chase
• A 4-mile run
• A parade
• A jam and jelly bake-off
• Peach and peach cobbler eating contests

The festival ends with the crowning of Queen Elberta, Miss Arkansas Valley, and Miss Teen Arkansas Valley.

Public Art: A Special Mural

The Clarksville post office has a beautiful mural inside called How Happy was the Occasion. It was painted in 1941 by an artist named Mary May Purser. This mural was part of a program in the United States from 1934 to 1943. During this time, the government hired artists to create public art, like murals, in buildings across the country.

Climate in Clarksville

Clarksville has a climate with hot, humid summers. The winters are generally mild to cool. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate.

Notable People from Clarksville

Here are some well-known people who were born or have lived in Clarksville:

• Zane Beck (1927–1985): A famous pedal steel guitarist and guitar maker. He was added to the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1991.
• Bill Doolin (1858–1896): An Old West outlaw who was born in Clarksville.
• Gordon Houston (1916–1942): Born in Clarksville, he was the first professional baseball player to pass away while serving in World War II.
• Ralphie May (1972–2017): A comedian who grew up in Clarksville.
• Pierce McKennon (1919–1947): A World War II flying ace, meaning he was a very skilled pilot who shot down many enemy planes.

Images for kids

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  Old train station in Clarksville

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  Location of Clarksville in Johnson County, Arkansas

See also

In Spanish: Clarksville (Arkansas) para niños