Smackover, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Smackover, Arkansas
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Central Smackover
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Location of Smackover in Union County, Arkansas.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arkansas |
| County | Union |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.35 sq mi (11.26 km2) |
| • Land | 4.35 sq mi (11.26 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 121 ft (37 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,630 |
| • Density | 374.80/sq mi (144.71/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
71762
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| Area code(s) | 870 |
| FIPS code | 05-64730 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405472 |
Smackover is a small city located in Union County, Arkansas, United States. In 2020, about 1,630 people lived there. Smackover is famous for a huge oil boom that happened in the 1920s. This discovery brought many people and jobs to the area.
Contents
History of Smackover
How Smackover Got Its Name
Back in 1686, French settlers came to this area. They called it "Sumac Couvert". This French name means "covered in sumac bushes". Later, English-speaking settlers arrived. They changed the name to "Smackover" so it sounded more like the French words.
The name "Bayou de Chemin Couvert" (Smackover Creek) was first written down in 1789. This was in a letter from a French fort commander.
The Oil Boom and City Growth
Oil was found in Smackover on April 14, 1922. This discovery quickly made the area famous. Many people came hoping to get rich. Smackover officially became a city in 1923. The oil industry grew very big in the 1920s. However, by the 1960s, oil production slowed down. This caused many jobs to be lost in the area.
Smackover Oil Field Discoveries
The oil field in Smackover was a very important discovery. The first oil was found in 1922. It was in a type of sand called Nacatoch sand, about 2,024 feet deep. Within just one year, nearly 1,000 oil wells were drilled. These wells produced 25 million barrels of oil!
More oil was found in different layers of rock over time. In October 1922, a lighter type of oil was found deeper, between 2,230 and 2,350 feet. In 1923, oil was found in the Blossom sand at 2,610 feet. Even more oil was discovered in 1925 in the Graves sand at 2,501 feet.
A very important discovery happened on May 8, 1936. Oil was found much deeper, at 4,800 feet, in a rock layer called the Jurassic Smackover Formation limestone. This showed that there was a lot of oil hidden beneath the ground in Smackover.
Geography and Climate
Where is Smackover Located?
Smackover is in the northern part of Union County. It sits along Smackover Creek, which flows into the Ouachita River. The city of El Dorado is about ten miles southeast of Smackover. The city covers about 4.2 square miles of land.
Smackover's Weather
Smackover has a type of weather called a humid subtropical climate. This means the summers are hot and humid. The winters are usually mild, meaning not too cold. This climate is often shown as "Cfa" on climate maps.
Smackover's Population
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 2,544 | — | |
| 1940 | 2,235 | −12.1% | |
| 1950 | 2,495 | 11.6% | |
| 1960 | 2,434 | −2.4% | |
| 1970 | 2,058 | −15.4% | |
| 1980 | 2,453 | 19.2% | |
| 1990 | 2,232 | −9.0% | |
| 2000 | 2,005 | −10.2% | |
| 2010 | 1,865 | −7.0% | |
| 2020 | 1,630 | −12.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Smackover?
The 2020 United States census counted 1,630 people living in Smackover. There were 728 households and 463 families.
Here's a look at the different groups of people living in Smackover in 2020:
| Race | Number of People | Percentage |
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| White (not Hispanic) | 1,099 | 67.42% |
| Black or African American (not Hispanic) | 400 | 24.54% |
| Native American | 5 | 0.31% |
| Asian | 1 | 0.06% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.06% |
| Other/Mixed | 88 | 5.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 36 | 2.21% |
Education in Smackover
Smackover School District
Most students in Smackover go to schools in the Smackover School District. This district includes:
- Smackover Elementary School, for students from pre-kindergarten to 6th grade.
- Smackover High School, for students in grades 7 through 12.
The sports teams for the school district are called the Battlin' Buckaroos. Their school colors are black and white.
Culture and Attractions
What to See and Do in Smackover
Smackover has a unique feel with western-style stores along Main Street. You can also see an old-fashioned stop light hanging in the middle of town.
The city is home to the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources. This museum shows the history and culture of Smackover. It has a recreated downtown area inside. There's also an Oil Field Park and many exhibits about the oil industry in South Arkansas.
Every June, Smackover hosts a four-day event called the Oil Town Festival. It's a fun way to celebrate the city's history.
Famous People from Smackover
Smackover has been home to some notable people, especially in sports.
- Wayne Hardin (1926–2017) was a famous college football coach. He was even put into the NFF College Hall of Fame in 2013.
- Clyde Scott (1924–2018) was a football player who also made it into the College Football Hall of Fame.
- Nathan Fletcher (born 1976) is a California politician.
- Sleepy LaBeef (1935–2019) was a well-known rockabilly and roots musician.
See also
In Spanish: Smackover (Arkansas) para niños
