Sulphur Springs, Jefferson County, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sulphur Springs, Arkansas
White Sulphur Springs, Arkansas
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 Sulphur Springs, Jefferson County, Arkansas
Location in Arkansas
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Arkansas |
| County | Jefferson |
| Township | Spring |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.54 sq mi (14.36 km2) |
| • Land | 5.53 sq mi (14.31 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2) |
| Elevation | 305 ft (93 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,032 |
| • Density | 186.72/sq mi (72.10/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code (s) |
72079
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| Area code (s) | 870 |
| FIPS Code | 05-67790 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2612132 |
| Major airport | LIT |
Sulphur Springs, also known as White Sulphur Springs, is a neighborhood in southwest Pine Bluff, Arkansas. It is a special kind of community called a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's a place the government counts as a community for the census, even if it's not officially a city or town. Sulphur Springs is located in Spring Township, in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. In 2020, about 1,032 people lived there.
Contents
Population and People
Sulphur Springs has seen some changes in its population over the years. Understanding who lives in a place helps us learn about its community.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2010 | 1,101 | — | |
| 2020 | 1,032 | −6.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010 2020 |
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What the 2020 Census Shows
The 2020 census counted 1,032 people living in Sulphur Springs. Most people identified as White, making up about 76.94% of the population. The next largest group was Black or African American, at about 14.63%.
There were also smaller groups of people from other backgrounds. About 4.94% of residents identified as Mixed Race or Multi-Racial. People of Hispanic or Latino background, who can be of any race, made up about 2.62% of the population.
Looking Back at 2010
In 2010, the population of Sulphur Springs was 1,101 people. At that time, about 89.37% of the population was White. About 6.18% were Black or African American. The population has changed a bit since then, with a slight decrease in total numbers and shifts in the percentages of different groups.
History of Sulphur Springs
The area where Sulphur Springs is located was mostly wild and empty until 1819. That year, big floods from the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers covered much of southeast Arkansas. However, the western area, where Sulphur Springs is, has hills and small streams, so it didn't flood.
Early Settlers and Healing Waters
After the flood, people started moving to higher ground. The George Brummitt family was one of the first, settling in what became White Sulphur Springs. They bought land near a natural spring.
Another important settler was Brushrod Lee, a doctor. He built a large home and medical practice nearby. People from all over the state started visiting the area. They believed that drinking and bathing in the waters from the springs could help them feel better. Many people from Pine Bluff even built summer homes there.
A Town is Born
In 1855, the growing community wanted its own post office. They wanted to call it Sulphur Springs, but there was already a town with that name in Arkansas. So, they chose the name White Sulphur Springs instead.
The Civil War and Its Impact
During the American Civil War, White Sulphur Springs became an important place for soldiers. A hospital for the Confederate troops was moved there in 1862. Sadly, many soldiers died and were buried at the Camp White Sulphur Springs Confederate Cemetery.
In September 1863, the U.S. Army burned down the town, leaving almost nothing. Most people who lived there left or sold their land. After the war, a Methodist minister named Benjamin Watson moved to the area. He started a church and a school, which later became known as Watson Chapel.
Rebuilding and Challenges
It took about 25 years after the Civil War for the springs area to become a real town again. Two men, one Black and one White, built a hotel. However, the hotel was burned down twice, facing many difficulties. Even though they rebuilt, the town never fully returned to its earlier fame. People continued to bury their loved ones in the Confederate Cemetery, though many graves were not marked.
Education
Students in Sulphur Springs attend schools in the Watson Chapel School District. The main high school for the area is Watson Chapel High School.
Long ago, Sulphur Springs had its own elementary school. In the late 1960s, it had about 75 students. At that time, African-American students were not allowed to attend this school. They had to go to Coleman Elementary School, and older students went to Coleman High School.
See also
In Spanish: Sulphur Springs (condado de Jefferson) para niños
