Greenwood, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Greenwood
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| Greenwood, Arkansas | |||
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Location of Greenwood in Sebastian County, Arkansas, USA.
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Arkansas | ||
| County | Sebastian | ||
| Named for | Judge Alfred B. Greenwood | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 10.97 sq mi (28.43 km2) | ||
| • Land | 10.82 sq mi (28.03 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.15 sq mi (0.39 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 492 ft (150 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 9,516 | ||
| • Density | 879.16/sq mi (339.45/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
72936
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| Area code(s) | 479 | ||
| FIPS code | 05-28780 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2403755 | ||
Greenwood is a city in Arkansas, United States. It is one of the two main cities, or county seats, of Sebastian County. Greenwood is the fifth largest city in the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma area. In 2020, about 9,516 people lived there.
Contents
History of Greenwood
Greenwood was started in 1851. Its location was chosen to be the first county seat of Sebastian County. The city was named after Judge Alfred Burton Greenwood. He was a judge for ten counties in Northwest Arkansas.
The first courthouse was a log building. In 1865, a new wooden courthouse was built in the town square. This building later burned down. In 1916, the courthouse moved south of the square. The old town square is now a city park. Many festivals and celebrations happen there.
Greenwood grew slowly at first. By 1889, it was an important business center. It had stores, doctors, and lawyers.
The city faced many challenges over the years. A very strong tornado hit Greenwood in April 1968. It caused a lot of damage. Sadly, 13 people lost their lives. Many homes and businesses were destroyed.
Town Square and Clock Tower
The "Town Square" is one of the city's most famous spots. It is a park in the center of Greenwood. It reminds people of the past. It is also a place for many town activities.
A clock and bell tower stands in the middle of the town square. It was built in 1976. This was to celebrate the United States' 200th birthday. The tower holds the clock and bell from the old courthouse. That courthouse was destroyed by the tornado. The clock and bell are a way to remember the 13 people who died in the tornado.
The square was once the site of the Sebastian County Courthouse. That was until 1916. The Greenwood Chamber of Commerce holds its annual Freedomfest there. This event happens on July 4th. Many other community events also take place in the park.
Things to Do in Greenwood
The City Square in downtown Greenwood is now called Greenwood Veterans' Memorial Square. It has a memorial honoring people who served in the military.
Patriot's Walk and Bell Park
Part of the Veterans' Memorial Square is the "Patriot's Walk." This is a circle of stepping stones. Each stone has the name of a veteran. Families contribute to have a veteran's name placed there. The "Patriot's Walk" goes around the city clock tower. The clock tower was built in 1976. It stands in the center of the memorial.
Greenwood Veterans Memorial Square was once the main business area. When a new courthouse was built, the area became a green park. The Memorial is now home to the yearly Freedom Fest. It also hosts the Christmas parade.
Greenwood has a system of walking trails. These trails go through the city. They also go along the Promenade at Bell Park.
Bell Park has playgrounds and tennis courts. It also has an 18-hole Disc Golf course. There are picnic areas too. The Senator Ed Wilkinson Community Pavilion at Bell Park can be used for events. These include weddings, reunions, and meetings. The park hosts the annual Fall Festival. This festival is held on the first weekend in October.
Vache Gras Country Club
Vache Gras Country Club and Recreation area offers an 18-hole golf course. It also has a clubhouse and a swimming pool. Several golf tournaments are held there each year. The pool is open during the summer months.
Greenwood's Location
Greenwood is located at 35°12′56″N 94°15′12″W / 35.21556°N 94.25333°W.
The city covers about 10.97 square miles (28.43 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. A small part, about 0.15 square miles (0.39 square kilometers), is water.
Historic Places in Greenwood
Coal Miners Memorial
The Coal Miners Memorial was opened on October 21, 2000. It has a six-foot bronze statue of a coal miner. There is also a real coal car. Two granite walls show the names of thousands of miners from Sebastian County.
The memorial is located southeast of the Greenwood Town Square. It honors the miners. It also shows how important coal mining was to Sebastian County's early history.
Old Jail Museum
The Sebastian County Jail was built in 1892. It is south of the Square in Greenwood. It is one of the oldest buildings downtown. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings and Places.
The stone for the jail came from Backbone Mountain. Workers drilled holes in the stone. Water would fill the holes and freeze in winter. The ice would split the stone into smaller pieces. These pieces were then brought to the building site. The stone was shaped into blocks. A four-cell, two-story jail was built. The stone walls are two feet thick.
Each cell had one entry from the outside. Heavy iron doors were installed. Inside these, another iron grid door was added. The original key to the outside doors still works. It is on display in the jail.
The jail mostly held people for minor crimes. These included being rowdy or theft. Sometimes, people accused of more serious crimes were also held there. Visitors can find messages scratched into the walls by people who were held there.
The jail building was empty for many years. In 1966, it became a museum. It now holds items from Sebastian County's history.
Vineyard Cabin
The Vineyard Cabin was originally west of Greenwood. It was moved near the Old Jail Museum in 1994. The cabin was fixed up in 1996.
The cabin was built around 1848 by a school teacher, William Blaylock. He first built a one-room cabin. He lived and taught school there. When he got married in 1850, he added another room. He connected the two rooms with a breezeway.
Greenwood School
Greenwood School was recognized as a historic site in 2018. It is a 1930 building. It has an Art Deco style. A 1950 addition has an International style.
Famous People from Greenwood
- Bob Burns - a comedian from the 1930s and 1940s.
- William Meade Fishback - a former Governor of Arkansas and U.S. Senator-Elect.
- Drew Morgan - a football player for the Arkansas Razorbacks and NFL.
- Mike Neighbors - a women's basketball coach at the University of Arkansas.
- Doc Sadler - a men's basketball coach at the University of Southern Mississippi.
- Bill Walters - a lawyer and politician.
- Shirley A. Walters - an educator and politician.
- Tyler Wilson - a football quarterback for the Arkansas Razorbacks and NFL.
See also
In Spanish: Greenwood (Arkansas) para niños
