Gurdon, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gurdon, Arkansas
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Train depot in Gurdon, June 2008
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Location of Gurdon in Clark County, Arkansas.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Clark |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.49 sq mi (6.46 km2) |
| • Land | 2.42 sq mi (6.28 km2) |
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.18 km2) |
| Elevation | 203 ft (62 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,840 |
| • Density | 758.76/sq mi (292.93/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
71743
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| Area code(s) | 870 |
| FIPS code | 05-29200 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2403775 |
Gurdon is a city located in Clark County, Arkansas, United States. In 2020, about 1,840 people lived there. Gurdon is known for its history with railroads and a mysterious light.
Contents
History of Gurdon
Gurdon started in the late 1800s. It was a "railroad town" because it grew around the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway. This railway is now part of the Union Pacific Railroad.
The town was first settled in 1873. It officially became a city in 1880. Gurdon got its name from Henry Gurdon Marquand. He was an important person in the railroad company.
In 1892, Gurdon was also the birthplace of the Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo. This is a special group for people who work in the timber industry.
Geography of Gurdon
Gurdon is in the southern part of Clark County. U.S. Route 67 goes through the city. This road leads northeast about 15 miles (24 km) to Arkadelphia. Arkadelphia is the main city in Clark County. The road also goes southwest about 16 miles (26 km) to Prescott.
The city covers about 2.5 square miles (6.6 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. A small part, about 0.07 square miles (0.2 square kilometers), is water.
People of Gurdon
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 802 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,045 | 30.3% | |
| 1910 | 1,284 | 22.9% | |
| 1920 | 1,469 | 14.4% | |
| 1930 | 2,172 | 47.9% | |
| 1940 | 2,045 | −5.8% | |
| 1950 | 2,390 | 16.9% | |
| 1960 | 2,166 | −9.4% | |
| 1970 | 2,075 | −4.2% | |
| 1980 | 2,707 | 30.5% | |
| 1990 | 2,199 | −18.8% | |
| 2000 | 2,276 | 3.5% | |
| 2010 | 2,212 | −2.8% | |
| 2020 | 1,840 | −16.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Gurdon's Population in 2020
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 763 | 41.47% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 711 | 38.64% |
| Native American | 8 | 0.43% |
| Asian | 1 | 0.05% |
| Other/Mixed | 77 | 4.18% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 280 | 15.22% |
In 2020, there were 1,840 people living in Gurdon. There were 1,016 households and 695 families.
Gurdon's Population in 2010
In 2010, Gurdon had 2,212 people. About half of the people (50.1%) were White. About 37.9% were Black. A small number were Native American or Asian. About 14.3% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.
Education in Gurdon
Public Schools
Students in Gurdon go to schools in the Gurdon School District. They can graduate from Gurdon High School. The school's mascot is the Go-Devil. The school colors are purple and gold.
Public Libraries
Gurdon has a public library called the Cabe Public Library. It is part of the Clark County Library System.
The Gurdon Light
Gurdon is famous for something mysterious called the "Gurdon Light". This light appears in a wooded area near railroad tracks. People have seen one or more lights floating in the air.
A local story says the light is from a lantern of a railway worker who passed away. Scientists have studied the lights, but they haven't found a clear answer. The Gurdon Light has been shown on local news and on the TV show Unsolved Mysteries.
Notable People from Gurdon
Many interesting people have connections to Gurdon:
- Daniel Davis, an actor, grew up here.
- Tav Falco, a musician and actor, was raised in Gurdon.
- Adrienne Nelson, a judge, grew up in the city.
- Sailor Art Thomas, a professional wrestler.
- Jimmy Witherspoon, a blues music artist, was born in Gurdon in 1923.
- Harold L. Walters, a composer.
See also
In Spanish: Gurdon para niños
