Leola, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leola, Arkansas
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Location of Leola in Grant County, Arkansas.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Grant |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.85 sq mi (2.21 km2) |
| • Land | 0.85 sq mi (2.21 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 269 ft (82 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 460 |
| • Density | 538.64/sq mi (207.86/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
72084
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| Area code(s) | 870 |
| FIPS code | 05-39310 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2406005 |
Leola is a town in Grant County, Arkansas, United States. In 2020, about 460 people lived there. It is the southernmost town in the Central Arkansas region.
Contents
Geography
Leola covers a total area of about 2.21 square kilometers (0.85 square miles). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large bodies of water like lakes or rivers within the town limits.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 398 | — | |
| 1920 | 482 | 21.1% | |
| 1930 | 379 | −21.4% | |
| 1940 | 412 | 8.7% | |
| 1950 | 313 | −24.0% | |
| 1960 | 321 | 2.6% | |
| 1970 | 390 | 21.5% | |
| 1980 | 481 | 23.3% | |
| 1990 | 476 | −1.0% | |
| 2000 | 515 | 8.2% | |
| 2010 | 501 | −2.7% | |
| 2020 | 460 | −8.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, Leola had 515 residents living in 179 households. Many of these households were families. The town had about 244 houses per square mile.
The people living in Leola came from different backgrounds. Most residents were White, but there were also people who identified as Black or African American, Native American, Pacific Islander, and from two or more races. A notable part of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
About 39.7% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had almost three people. The median age in Leola was 31 years old. This means half the people were younger than 31, and half were older.
Attractions
One interesting spot near Leola is Cox Creek Lake. This lake was made by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. They built a dam on Cox Creek, which flows into the Saline River.
Cox Creek Lake covers about 254 acres. It's a great place for outdoor activities. You can go camping there, either in a tent or an RV, for a small fee. The lake also has a boat ramp for launching boats and a fishing pier for those who enjoy fishing.
History
Camden Expedition
In 1864, during the American Civil War, a group of Union soldiers marched through Leola. This was part of a larger military plan called the Red River Campaign. The Union troops, led by General Frederick Steele, were running low on supplies. Confederate soldiers were also close behind them.
The Union troops were trying to reach Jenkins' Ferry on the Saline River. A big battle, known as the battle of Jenkins' Ferry, happened there. After the battle, the Union troops managed to cross the Saline River. They then burned the bridge behind them to stop the Confederates from following. The Union soldiers then marched back to Little Rock, which was controlled by the Union.
Oil Exploration
In 1921, some companies tried to find oil near Leola. Winters Syndicate drilled very deep, over 1,920 feet, looking for oil. The Belmont Oil Company also planned to develop oil fields in the area. However, despite their efforts, no oil was ever found in Leola.
Ray Thornton
Ray Thornton (1928-2016) was an important person who went to school in Leola. He became a lawyer and served as a U.S. Representative. He was also a justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court and a university president.
Thornton played a key role in the Watergate scandal. He helped create the official accusations against President Richard Nixon related to the cover-up.
He was also involved in a major case heard by the Supreme Court of the United States. This case, U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton, decided that states could not limit how many terms members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate could serve. The Supreme Court ruled that such limits were against the U.S. Constitution.
Education
Students in Leola attend public schools operated by the Sheridan School District. The Leola School District joined and became part of the Sheridan School District on July 1, 1987.
Climate
Leola has a type of weather called a humid subtropical climate. This means the area has hot and humid summers. The winters are generally mild, meaning they are not too cold, but can be cool.
See also
In Spanish: Leola (Arkansas) para niños
