Gainesville, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gainesville, Arkansas
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Gainesville (1914)
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 Gainesville, Arkansas
Location in Arkansas
Gainesville, Arkansas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Greene |
| Elevation | 335 ft (102 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 57784 |
Gainesville is a small, unincorporated community in Greene County, Arkansas. This means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Long ago, Gainesville was a busy and important place, even serving as the county seat (the main town for the county's government). Today, not much is left of the old community.
Contents
History of Gainesville
How Gainesville Got Its Name
In 1840, the people of Greene County decided to move their county seat to this spot. They named the new place "Gainesville" because it "gained" the important role of being the county's main town.
Early Days and Growth
Gainesville was built along a good road that led to another important town called Helena, Arkansas. This made it easier for people and goods to travel.
During the American Civil War, on June 28, 1861, a group of soldiers called the 5th Arkansas Infantry Regiment was formed in Gainesville. They were part of the Confederate Army.
By 1873, Gainesville had a hotel called the Snodgrass. In 1876, the community began building both an elementary school and a high school. This shows that Gainesville was growing and becoming a more established place.
Local Newspapers
Two newspapers were started in Gainesville. The Press Democrat began in 1878, but it moved to Paragould in 1882. Another paper, The Solophone Events, also started in Gainesville and later moved to Paragould in 1890.
Before the 1880s, Gainesville was the largest town in Greene County. It had about 230 people living there.
Why Gainesville Declined
The Rise of Railways
In the early 1880s, two important railway lines were built. However, these railways ran south of Gainesville, passing through the town of Paragould instead. As Paragould grew because of the new railways, Gainesville began to shrink.
Losing the County Seat
In 1884, the county held another election, and this time, the county seat was moved from Gainesville to Paragould. This was a big loss for Gainesville, as it meant less government activity and fewer visitors.
The Great Fire
In 1892, a large fire destroyed most of Gainesville's business area. This made it even harder for the community to recover after losing the county seat and the railway connections.
Notable People From Gainesville
- Walter Garrett Riddick: He became a United States federal judge.
- Samuel Johnson Hilburn: He was a lawyer and served as a state legislator (a person who makes laws) in Florida.
