Gentry, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gentry, Arkansas
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Downtown Gentry
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Location of Gentry in Benton County, Arkansas.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Benton |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.20 sq mi (13.47 km2) |
| • Land | 5.17 sq mi (13.40 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.06 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,191 ft (363 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,790 |
| • Density | 732.51/sq mi (282.82/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
72734
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| Area code(s) | 479 |
| FIPS code | 05-26290 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2403688 |
Gentry is a city located in Benton County, Arkansas, in the United States. In 2020, about 3,790 people lived there. The city started in 1894 in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. It grew up around the Kansas City Southern Railroad tracks.
Gentry was once famous for its fruit orchards, especially apples. The railroad helped the city's apple business grow even more. After the apple industry slowed down in the 1930s, Gentry, like many other places in Northwest Arkansas, started focusing on poultry farming.
Contents
Discovering Gentry's Past
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Gentry first began as a farming community in the Ozarks. It was called Orchard City because of its many apple orchards and other crops. The town really started to grow when the Kansas City Southern Railroad built tracks through it.
In 1894, the people living there asked the county to make it an official city. They changed the name to Gentry. This new name honored an important official who helped build the railroad.
The Importance of the Railroad
The railroad was very important for Gentry. By 1903, the town's population had grown to 1,000 people. The railroad company built a new train station in Gentry between 1926 and 1927. It was known as one of the best stations on the entire railway line.
To celebrate the grand opening, a big party was held. Railroad officials even arrived on a special train. Four to six passenger trains came through Gentry every week until 1964, when passenger service stopped.
Modern Roads and Water Systems
In 1937, Highway 59 was built. It runs through the city from north to south. This highway is still the main road in Gentry. It connects Gentry to other towns in western Benton County.
In 1946, the City Council decided to buy a water tank. It cost $1,650 and came from the War Assets Corporation in Kentucky. In 1948, the city held a special vote. People voted to get money to install bigger water pipes and more fire hydrants.
In the 1950s, the city bought its own water company. In the early 2000s, Gentry started extending water lines to homes outside the main city area.
Community Buildings and Growth
Local businesses donated money to build the first community hall. It was located where Main and Collins streets meet. Today, this building is used as the city's courtroom.
In the 1960s, farming was no longer the main way people made money in Gentry. Because of this, the old train station was torn down.
The next ten years saw the start of a new power plant. It was built by Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO). This plant is about 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the city. It uses coal to create electricity.
Today, SWEPCO still provides power. SWEPCO Lake, also called "Lake Flint Creek," is a popular spot for fishing and fun. To make traffic flow better downtown, a new bypass for Arkansas Highway 12 was built. It runs along the southern edge of town.
In the early 1970s, the Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari opened north of Gentry. This large park covers 400 acres (1.6 km²). It is home to many different exotic animals. Visitors can drive through a 4-mile (6.4 km) path. There are also petting areas where you can get closer to some animals.
In 1983, the McKee Foods Corporation opened a factory in Gentry. They are famous for making Little Debbie and Sunbelt snacks.
Celebrating Milestones
The city of Gentry celebrated its 100th birthday in 1994. Ten years later, in 2004, they held a "110th Birthday Bash."
Gentry's Location and Size
Gentry is located where Highway 12 and Highway 59 cross.
The United States Census Bureau says the city covers about 5.2 square miles (13.47 km²). A very small part of this, about 0.03 square miles (0.06 km²), is water.
Who Lives in Gentry?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 419 | — | |
| 1910 | 668 | 59.4% | |
| 1920 | 724 | 8.4% | |
| 1930 | 779 | 7.6% | |
| 1940 | 726 | −6.8% | |
| 1950 | 729 | 0.4% | |
| 1960 | 686 | −5.9% | |
| 1970 | 1,022 | 49.0% | |
| 1980 | 1,468 | 43.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,726 | 17.6% | |
| 2000 | 2,165 | 25.4% | |
| 2010 | 3,158 | 45.9% | |
| 2020 | 3,790 | 20.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2015 Estimate |
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Population in 2020
In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 3,790 people living in Gentry. There were 1,449 households and 1,076 families.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (non-Hispanic) | 2,526 | 66.65% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 20 | 0.53% |
| Native American | 154 | 4.06% |
| Asian | 143 | 3.77% |
| Pacific Islander | 3 | 0.08% |
| Other/Mixed | 320 | 8.44% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 624 | 16.46% |
Population in 2010
In 2010, Gentry had a population of 3,158 people. Most residents were non-Hispanic white (75.4%). Other groups included Native American (5.6%), Asian (4.2%), and Hispanic or Latino (12.0%).
Gentry's Economy
Gentry is home to more than 160 businesses. These include restaurants, bed and breakfast places, small factories, retail stores, and service businesses.
Major Employers
The biggest employer in Gentry is McKee Foods Corporation. They make popular snacks like Little Debbie and Sunbelt. In 2002, McKee Foods celebrated 20 years of making snacks in Gentry. They also added a 40,000 square foot (3,716 m²) expansion to their factory. The company's discount store is located on the corner of Arkansas Highway 59 and Main Street.
Tufco Flooring is another important company based in Gentry. It was started in the 1960s by Paul, Donald, and Frank Cox. Now, Tufco has many locations across the U.S. Three of them are in Gentry: Arkotex Inc., Tufco International, and Tufco Sales and Service. They make special industrial flooring, especially for places that process food.
Learning in Gentry
Most public education in Gentry is provided by the Gentry School District. A very small part of the city is served by Siloam Springs Schools. In 2010–11, the Gentry district supported over 1,400 students. The school mascot for Gentry High School is the Pioneer, and the school colors are maroon and white.
Another school system in Gentry is the Ozark Adventist School, which teaches kindergarten through 8th grade. There is also Ozark Adventist Academy for grades 9-12. Both schools are supported by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The academy has dorms for boys and girls who live far away. These schools focus on academics and Christian values, and they also offer some sports.
Faith Communities in Gentry
Gentry has many active churches from different groups. These include the Seventh-day Adventist Church, United Methodist, Baptist, Church of Christ, Assemblies of God, and Mennonite churches. Most of these churches offer programs for young people and families, along with regular worship services. Each year, one of the local churches hosts a community-wide Thanksgiving program.
People from Gentry
- Jonathan Barnett is a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives. He is a Republican from Benton County and lives in Gentry.
- Lance Eads is a Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives. He used to live in Gentry.
- Delia Haak is a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for District 17.
See also
In Spanish: Gentry (Arkansas) para niños
