Washington, Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Washington, Arkansas
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| City of Washington | |
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Location of Washington in Hempstead County, Arkansas.
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 Washington, Arkansas
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Arkansas |
| County | Hempstead |
| Settled | 1824 |
| Incorporated | 1880 |
| Named for | George Washington |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.01 sq mi (2.61 km2) |
| • Land | 1.01 sq mi (2.61 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 436 ft (133 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 94 |
| • Density | 93.35/sq mi (36.03/km2) |
| Demonym(s) | Washingtonian |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
71862
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| Area code | 870 |
| FIPS code | 05-73370 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405680 |
Washington is a small city in Hempstead County, Arkansas, United States. It is located in Ozan Township. In 2020, the city had a population of 94 people. Washington is part of the Hope Micropolitan Statistical Area. The city is also home to the Historic Washington State Park, which is a popular place to visit.
Contents
History of Washington, Arkansas
Washington was founded in 1824. It quickly became an important stop for pioneers traveling to Texas on the Southwest Trail. This was a rough and challenging journey.
In 1824, Washington was chosen as the "seat of justice" for the area. This meant it was where the local court was located. The Hempstead County Court of Common Pleas started here in 1825. Its building was next to a tavern owned by Elijah Stuart, an early resident.
Famous Visitors and the Bowie Knife
Between 1832 and 1839, many Choctaw American Indians passed through Washington. They were on their way to Indian Territory. Famous frontiersmen like James Bowie, Sam Houston, and Davy Crockett also traveled through Washington. They were heading to the Battle of the Alamo. Sam Houston is thought to have planned parts of the Texas revolt in a Washington tavern in 1834.
A local blacksmith named James Black lived in Washington. He is famous for creating a special knife. This knife became known as the Bowie knife, named after James Bowie who carried it.
Washington During the Civil War
When the War with Mexico began in 1846, Washington became a gathering place for volunteer soldiers. These soldiers were on their way to join the US Army. Later, the town grew into a major service center for local farmers, shopkeepers, and other professionals.
During the American Civil War, Little Rock was captured by the Union Army in 1863. Because of this, the pro-Confederate States of America government of Arkansas moved its offices. They first went to Hot Springs for a short time. Then, they settled in Washington, making it the state capital for the Confederacy until 1865.
Decline and Modern Day
After the Civil War, a new railroad was built. It connected much of Arkansas with Little Rock. This railroad was built about eight miles south of Washington. As a result, the town of Washington slowly became less important. Hope, which was on the new railroad, took over Washington's role as the main travel hub.
Geography and Climate
Washington is located in the northern part of Hempstead County. It is about 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Hope, which is the main city in the county. U.S. Route 278 goes through Washington. This road leads southeast to Hope and northwest to Nashville. Arkansas Highway 195 also starts in Washington. It goes southwest to Fulton on the Red River.
The United States Census Bureau says that Washington covers an area of 1.0 square mile (2.6 km²). All of this area is land. The weather in Washington has hot, humid summers. Winters are usually mild to cool. Washington has a humid subtropical climate. This type of climate is often shown as "Cfa" on climate maps.
Population Changes in Washington
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 730 | — | |
| 1890 | 519 | −28.9% | |
| 1900 | 374 | −27.9% | |
| 1910 | 399 | 6.7% | |
| 1920 | 556 | 39.3% | |
| 1930 | 457 | −17.8% | |
| 1940 | 432 | −5.5% | |
| 1950 | 344 | −20.4% | |
| 1960 | 321 | −6.7% | |
| 1970 | 290 | −9.7% | |
| 1980 | 265 | −8.6% | |
| 1990 | 148 | −44.2% | |
| 2000 | 148 | 0.0% | |
| 2010 | 180 | 21.6% | |
| 2020 | 94 | −47.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Washington has changed a lot over the years. In 1880, there were 730 people living here. By 2020, the population was 94.
Who Lives in Washington?
The census of 2000 showed that 148 people lived in Washington. About 38.51% of the people were White. About 61.49% were Black or African American.
In 2020, the population was 94. About 48.94% of the people were White. About 41.49% were Black or African American. There were also small numbers of people of other races or mixed races. About 4.26% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Education in Washington
Students in Washington attend schools in the Hope School District. This means they go to Hope High School. The old Washington School District closed down on July 1, 1990. Its students then joined the Hope, Blevins, and Saratoga school districts.
Culture and Attractions
The main cultural attraction in Washington is the Historic Washington State Park. This park preserves many of the old buildings and tells the story of the town's important past. It's like stepping back in time to see how people lived long ago.
Notable People from Washington
Many interesting people have connections to Washington:
- James Black (1800–1872): A blacksmith famous for making the Bowie knife.
- Augustus Hill Garland (1832–1899): He served as the 38th Attorney General of the United States.
- Benjamin P. Jett: A state legislator who was the Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives.
- Daniel Webster Jones (1839–1918): The 19th Governor of Arkansas.
- Charles Burton Mitchel (1815–1864): A C.S. Senator from Arkansas.
- Albert Gallatin Simms (1882–1964): A member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico.
See also
In Spanish: Washington (Arkansas) para niños
