Slovak, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Slovak, Arkansas
|
|
---|---|
Country | United States |
State | Arkansas |
County | Prairie |
Elevation | 220 ft (70 m) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
Area code(s) | 870 |
GNIS feature ID | 54915 |
Slovak (also called Slovactown) is a small community in Prairie County, Arkansas, in the United States. It is an unincorporated community, meaning it does not have its own local government. Slovak is located about 9.1 miles (14.6 km) south of Hazen on Arkansas Highway 86.
This community is special because it is the only place in the United States named after the European country of Slovakia. Slovak was first settled by immigrants from Slovakia. Today, the people living there still celebrate their Slovak-American heritage.
History of Slovak
The community of Slovak was started in 1894. Slovak immigrants moved to this area because the Slovak Colonization Company in Pennsylvania bought 3,000 acres of land in Arkansas. They wanted to create a new home for Slovaks there.
Even today, many Slovak cultural groups and religious organizations are active in the community. They hold special events, like an annual Slovak Oyster Supper, to celebrate their traditions.
A very important building in Slovak is the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius. This church was built in 1914 by the early Slovak immigrants. Saints Cyril and Methodius are also known as the Apostles of the Slavs, who helped spread Christianity and a written language to Slavic people.