Fouke, Arkansas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fouke, Arkansas
City
Location in Miller County, Arkansas
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
County	Miller
Area
• Total	1.36 sq mi (3.51 km2)
• Land	1.36 sq mi (3.51 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	315 ft (96 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	808
• Density	595.87/sq mi (230.10/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	71837
Area code(s)	870
FIPS code	05-24640
GNIS feature ID	2403652

Fouke is a small city in Miller County, Arkansas, in the United States. It's part of the larger Texarkana area. In 2024, about 810 people lived there. Fouke is known for its connection to the "Fouke Monster," a mysterious creature from local legends.

Where is Fouke Located?

Fouke is in the middle of Miller County. It's right along U.S. Highway 71. The big highway, Interstate 49, runs just west of the city. This highway has two exits that serve Fouke.

Fouke is about 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Texarkana. It's also about 55 miles (89 km) north of Shreveport, Louisiana. The Red River flows less than 10 miles (16 km) to the east and south of Fouke.

The city covers about 1.4 square miles (3.5 km²) of land. There is no water area within the city limits.

A Look Back at Fouke's History

Early Days and Settlements

Long before European settlers arrived, the Native American Caddo people lived in the area around Fouke. They traded things like animal furs, honey, and beeswax with European explorers. In return, they received items like flour, tobacco, and blankets.

After the Louisiana Purchase, the United States set up a trading post nearby. As more settlers moved into Arkansas, the Caddo population became much smaller.

How Fouke Began

In 1889, a group led by James Franklin Shaw, a Seventh Day Baptist minister, looked for a place to start a new community. In 1890, they chose a spot along a railroad line. This was where a small timber line ended at Fouke's Sawmill.

The streets in the new settlement were named after famous Baptists. The group advertised the area, offering affordable land and lumber. They even offered free train rides to pioneers. People came from far away states like Idaho, Illinois, and West Virginia.

James H. Fouke, a businessman involved in lumber and railroads, helped the settlers. In 1902, he gave land for a school. The city of Fouke was named in his honor.

Growth and Changes

By the early 1920s, farming and timber brought many different people to Fouke. A new train station was built in 1906. The community officially became a city in 1911.

Fouke grew even more during the oil boom of the 1920s. In 1928, the construction of U.S. Route 71 created even more job opportunities.

During the 1920s and 1930s, the time of Prohibition, Fouke faced challenges. Its location near state borders made it difficult to control illegal activities.

The Fouke State Bank opened in 1914. However, it closed during the Great Depression. Many people lost their jobs. Some found work through government programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration. It wasn't until World War II that many citizens found steady jobs. They worked at new military plants near Texarkana.

Modern Improvements

Since it became a city, Fouke has made many improvements. Dirt and gravel streets were paved in 1958. A new city hall, jail, and fire station were built in 1962. A new water system was finished in 1966, and the city's sewer system was completed in 1988.

The Fouke Monster

In 1972, Fouke became famous across the country. This happened when Charles B. Pierce made a movie called The Legend of Boggy Creek. The movie told stories about a large, hairy, ape-like creature. This creature is known as the "Fouke Monster". Many local people were in the movie. The film used the area's wetlands, rivers, and creeks as its setting.

Community Spirit

In 2001, Fouke opened its Community Center. In 2003, the Miller County Historical and Family Museum also opened.

In 2010, Fouke citizens dedicated the Veterans Memorial Park. This monument honors veterans and lists their names and military histories.

In 2011, local groups worked to improve the city. They put up "Welcome" signs on Highway 71. They also worked on other projects to make the community more beautiful. They bought an old historic home to turn it into an events center and a community library. By this time, the Fouke School District had become the city's largest employer. It had over 1,000 students and more than 165 employees.

In 2013, Fouke started the Boggy Creek Festival. This festival helps promote the local area. It brings the community together and shares stories and humor about the "Fouke Monster."

Population Information

2020 Census Details

According to the 2020 United States census, Fouke had 808 people. There were 281 households and 204 families living in the city.

Education in Fouke

Most students in Fouke get their public education from the Fouke School District. This district provides schooling from early childhood through high school. Students graduate from Fouke High School.

Media and News

Fouke gets its news and media from the larger cities of Texarkana and Shreveport.

Transportation and Roads

Major Highways

• Interstate 49
• U.S. Route 71

Local Historical Places

• Historic Scoggins House Community Event Center & Library: This place serves as a library. It's also a spot for researching family history and local events.

Images for kids

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  City Hall in Fouke

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  The U.S. Post Office in Fouke is of log cabin design.

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  Jerry's General Store in Fouke

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  First Baptist Church of Fouke

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  Monster Mart in Fouke

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  Water tower in Fouke

See also

In Spanish: Fouke (Arkansas) para niños