Halley, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Halley, Arkansas
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Veteran's Memorial in Halley
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 Halley, Arkansas
Location in Arkansas
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Arkansas |
| County | Desha |
| Elevation | 43 m (141 ft) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 44 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 2805650 |
Halley is a small community in Desha County, Arkansas, United States. It is known as an "unincorporated community." This means it is a group of homes and businesses that are part of a larger county, not a separate town with its own local government.
Halley is also a "census-designated place" (CDP). This is a special area the government defines just for counting people during the census. In the 2020 census, 44 people lived in Halley.
Contents
A Look Back at Halley's History
The story of Halley began in 1857. A man named John J. Bowie bought land in this area. He was the older brother of the famous frontiersman, James Bowie.
Early Railroads and Bowie Station
In 1852, work started on the Mississippi, Ouachita and Red River Railroad. This was the very first railway ever planned in Arkansas. Before the Civil War began, about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) of track had been built. This track went west from a place called Eunice, Arkansas.
The railroad line passed right through John Bowie's land. Because of this, the train stop there was named "Bowie Station." After the Civil War ended, the railroad was finally finished. However, it was abandoned in 1875. This happened because big floods on the Mississippi River damaged the tracks and bridges.
Today, Highway 208, which connects Eunice and Halley, was built on top of where the old train tracks used to be.
How Halley Got Its Name
Later on, Bowie Station was renamed "Halley." It was named after an early family who settled in the area, the Halley family.
In 1901, another important railway line was built through Halley. This was part of the Missouri Pacific Railroad.
Who Lives in Halley?
The United States government counts how many people live in different places every ten years. This is called a census.
Halley's Population in 2020
In the 2020 census, 44 people were counted living in Halley. Most of the people living in Halley were White (63.64%), and a significant number were Black or African American (34.09%). There was also a small number of people who identified as having mixed races.
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2020 | % 2020 |
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| White alone (NH) | 28 | 63.64% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 15 | 34.09% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 1 | 2.27% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total | 44 | 100.00% |
Important Services in Halley
Halley has its own volunteer fire department. This group of dedicated volunteers helps keep the community safe from fires and other emergencies.
Learning in Halley
Children living in Halley attend schools that are part of the Dermott School District.
