Ozark, Arkansas

Ozark, Arkansas
City
Clockwise, from top: Highway 23 bridge over the Arkansas River, historic Franklin County Jail, Ozark Courthouse Square Historic District, Ozark Depot, Franklin County Courthouse
Location in Franklin County and the state of Arkansas
Coordinates: 35°29′34″N 93°50′14″W / 35.49278°N 93.83722°W / 35.49278; -93.83722Coordinates: 35°29′34″N 93°50′14″W / 35.49278°N 93.83722°W / 35.49278; -93.83722
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
County	Franklin
Area
• Total	7.2 sq mi (18.7 km2)
• Land	7.2 sq mi (18.6 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0.1 km2)
Elevation	407 ft (124 m)
Population (2000)
• Total	3,525
• Density	489.6/sq mi (188.5/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	72949
Area code(s)	479
FIPS code	05-52970
GNIS feature ID	0072973
Website	City Website

Ozark is a city in Franklin County, Arkansas; and one of the county's two seats of government. The community is located along the Arkansas River in the Arkansas River Valley on the southern edge of the Ozark Mountains. Incorporated in 1850, Ozark is adjacent to much of Arkansas wine country, and contains a bridge to cross the Arkansas River for travelers heading to points south.^[1] The city is also located on Arkansas Highway 23, nicknamed the Pig Trail Scenic Byway, known for its steep drops, sharp curves and scenic mountain views.^[2] The city is contained within the Fort Smith metropolitan area.

The name "Aux Arc", later simplified to Ozark, was given to this bend of the river by the French explorers when they were mapping out this land.^[3]

History

Native Americans roamed the area freely before Arkansas was a territory, the Cherokee and Osage lived in this area that would later become attractive to settlers.^[4] The Ozark area was frequented by French fur trappers and served as a landmark during European exploration of the area. It was these adventurous souls who gave the area and the rolling mountains that rise there their name, Aux Arcs.

Included in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, the vicinity became a stopping and crossing point along the Arkansas River. The modern settlement of Ozark was established here in the 1830s and an important road grew connecting Ozark to Fayetteville, Arkansas, following the route of today's Pig Trail Scenic Byway to connect Northwest Arkansas with the river.

Ozark played a role on the Trail of Tears. Steamboats would often stop here in times of low water and Native Americans camped in Ozark before moving to Oklahoma on foot. The waterfront is a designated stop on the trail of tears route.

Ozark's population grew to about 100 people during the US Civil War and served as a Confederate base after the battles of Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove in 1862. In April 1863, Brigadier General William L. Cabell led 900 men from Ozark on an expedition that ended at the Battle of Fayetteville. Ozark became the scene of fighting later that year and again in 1864, where many skirmishes were fought in the vicinity. A monument on the grounds of the Franklin County Courthouse pays tribute to an officer killed just north of town.

Although Ozark prospered over the years, it remained a small city on the river.^[5]

The name Ozark comes from Aux Arcs, the name given to the area and the mountains that rise there by early French settlers. Ozark, Arkansas was the first to be incorporated with that name.^[6]

Geography

Ozark is located at 35°29′34″N 93°50′14″W / 35.49278°N 93.83722°W / 35.49278; -93.83722 (35.492713, -93.837096)^[7]. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.2 square miles (19 km²), of which, 7.2 square miles (19 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) of it (0.55%) is water.

Ozark is the point at which the Arkansas River is farthest north in the state.

Demographics

As of the census^[8] of 2000, there were 3,525 people, 1,453 households, and 940 families residing in the city. The population density was 491.6 people per square mile (189.8/km²). There were 1,607 housing units at an average density of 224.1 per square mile (86.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.48% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 1.08% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. 2.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,453 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,057, and the median income for a family was $31,537. Males had a median income of $25,409 versus $17,353 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,583. About 17.9% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.9% of those under age 18 and 19.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public education for elementary and secondary school students is provided by the two school districts:

• Ozark School District leading to graduation at Ozark High School.
• Mulberry–Pleasant View Bi-County School District leading to graduation at Mulberry High School via Millsap Intermediate School (grades 5-6) and Pleasant View Junior High (grades 7-9) both located in Ozark.

Also, Ozark is the home of Arkansas Tech University–Ozark Campus, a two-year satellite campus of Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas. Arkansas Tech-Ozark is one of the region's leading providers of career and technical education, offering several associate degrees and technical certificates, as well as general studies classes. The campus was established in 1965 as Arkansas Valley Vocational Technical School (AVVTS). In 1975, the Arkansas State Board of Education/Vocational Education granted accreditation to AVVTS, making it the first school of its kind in the state to receive that distinction. In 1991, the campus was renamed Arkansas Valley Technical Institute (AVTI). On July 1, 2003, AVTI merged with Arkansas Tech University to become Arkansas Tech University–Ozark Campus.

Tourism

Canoeing on the Mulberry River

Downtown Ozark features a number of historic sites. Among these is the old Missouri Pacific Depot, which now serves as a museum and houses many artifacts related to the city's history. Murals can be found throughout the city. The quintessential square is filled with window store fronts full of antique and gift shops, crape myrtle shrubs in bloom summer through fall, and a park across from the courthouse.

The old Franklin County Jail features a distinctive stone facade, resembling a medieval castle.

The city serves as the southern starting point for the Pig Trail Scenic Byway. This 19 mile scenic drive begins just north of Ozark where Highway 23 enters the Ozark National Forest. The Pig Trail leads drivers through beautiful rolling mountain country and past waterfalls, rock formations and the beautiful Mulberry River, popular for kayaking and canoeing. Ozark is a popular place for food and rest while exploring the Pig Trail Scenic Byway.

The view from the Arkansas River Bridge in Ozark is ranked among the most beautiful in America and is especially appealing when lit at night.

Ozark Lake and the Arkansas River provide plenty of fishing opportunities. Tree-shaded Aux Arc Park stretches along the river from the Ozark Lock and Dam and has a playground, campsites, boat launching ramps and other facilities. Within miles of Ozark are the Mulberry River and White Rock Mountain Recreation Area in the Ozark National Forest.^[9]

Ozark is in the heart of Arkansas Wine Country along with the cities of Altus, Wiederkehr Village, and Paris.^[10]

Depictions in cinema

In a 1950 Warner Brothers cartoon entitled "Hillbilly Hare", Bugs Bunny vacations in Ozark, Arkansas and encounters two dimwitted hillbillies named Curt and Pumpkinhead Martin.

In the first season of the reality TV series The Simple Life, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie worked at the Sonic Drive-In located in Ozark.^[11]

On April 17, 2007, Late Late Show host Craig Ferguson mentioned Ozark during his guest appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. While telling Dave a story about travelling the country, Craig said he had stopped in "Ozark, which is a town in Arkansas," and discovered catfish. It was the first time Craig had eaten catfish. He described it as being "a tasty fish." On June 14, 2007, late show host Craig Ferguson displayed a letter from Mayor Vernon McDaniels, making Ferguson an honorary citizen of Ozark. After becoming an honorary citizen, Ferguson set out to become an honorary citizen of as many U.S. cities as possible and later became an official U.S. citizen all thanks to Ozark starting the trend. Again, on June 25, 2009, Craig Ferguson mentioned Ozark, AR during his opening monologue. He told his audience that Ozark was the place to stop for good catfish and described it as a "lovely town." Ferguson later financed a bond to build a $415,000 turf field for their high school football team in 2010.^[12]

Notable people

• Roy Buchanan (1939–1988) was a guitar innovator whose skill inspired an aptly titled documentary, The Best Unknown Guitarist in the World. For more than thirty years, the guitarist melded blues, country, jazz, and rock music into a unique sound. Roy Buchanan was born September 23, 1939, in Ozark, the third of four children of Bill Buchanan and the former Minnie Bell Reed.Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture entry on Roy Buchanan.
• Bill Dees, original songwriter of Roy Orbison's "Oh! Pretty Woman"
• Marshall Chrisman (born 1933) is a former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Ozark who ran unsuccessfully in the Republican gubernatorial primary in 1980 and 1982.
• Bill Gossage (born 1957) is the assistant superintendent for the Ozark School District and a Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Franklin, Crawford, and Madison counties.^[13]
• Elizabeth Gracen was Miss Arkansas, Miss America 1982, an American actress, and on the cover of Playboy Magazine.^[14]
• William A. "Bill" Hudspeth, Jr. (October 13, 1928—October 24, 2008) was a former mayor and water commissioner of Ozark. A Harrison native, Hudspeth was a retired banker, insurance agent, and cattleman. He was a member of the Ozark First United Methodist Church. Interment was in Highland Cemetery in Ozark. Survivors included a daughter, Jan Hudspeth of Ozark; a son, W.A. Hudspeth, III, of Berryville, and three grandchildren.^[15]
• Rebecca Johnson, a millionaire physician was found murdered. Her story was the subject of an A&E documentary (City Confidential) about Ozark.
• Randall Kamm Actor, Television Journalist, is a graduate of Ozark High School and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
• Jon M. Kuykendall received the 2008 Emmy Award for Cultural Documentary for his work as Audio Producer on the University of Arkansas' film "Silas Hunt: A Documentary". The film details the life of a civil rights pioneer who became the first African American enrolled into a major land grant University in the South.
• Theodore H. Laban, a highly decorated U.S. Army Air Forces soldier.
• The Leding Family, co-stars of the Fox reality TV show The Simple Life. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie starred in the film and stayed with the family for over a month. The family has lived in Franklin County near Ozark and Altus.^[11]
• Clifton Clay Long, Jr. (1919–2008), was a family physician in Ozark from 1946–1975, who helped to establish Turner Memorial Hospital. A native of Warrensburg, Missouri, he received his M.D. degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy Medical Corps. He was active in the American Medical Association and the American College of Surgeons, founded the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, and was a former vice-president of the Arkansas Medical Society. He spent his later years in Fort Smith, where he died of ALS.^[16]
• Riley Martin
• John Outlaw, a native of Ozark, is a football coach at Lufkin High School in Lufkin
• Joe Purdy - Independent recording artist. Folk/Indie.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ozark, Arkansas.

• Arkansas portal

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Ozark has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.^[17]

References

External links

• City of Ozark
• Ozark Chamber of Commerce
• Ozark city information, State Department of Tourism
• Explore Southern History's entry on Ozark
• Ozark, AR Historical Timeline

v t e Municipalities and communities of Franklin County, Arkansas, United States County seats: Charleston and Ozark Cities Altus Branch Charleston Ozark Wiederkehr Village Town Denning Unincorporated communities Alix Cecil

v t e  State of Arkansas Little Rock (capital) Topics Index Outline Arkansans Aviation Colleges and universities Congressional delegations Constitution Geography Government Governors High schools Historic Landmarks History Images Lakes Music Places Rivers School districts Sports and recreation State parks Territory Townships Transportation Visitor attractions Society Crime Culture Demographics Economy Education Politics Regions Arkansas River Valley Ark-La-Tex Bayou Bartholomew Boston Mountains Central Arkansas Crowley's Ridge Delta Four State Area Mississippi Alluvial Plain New Madrid Seismic Zone Northwest Arkansas Ouachita Mountains Ozarks Piney Woods South Arkansas Timberlands Metros Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers Fort Smith Texarkana Jonesboro Pine Bluff Hot Springs Tri-State Largest cities Little Rock Fort Smith Fayetteville Springdale Jonesboro North Little Rock Conway Rogers Pine Bluff Bentonville Hot Springs Benton Texarkana Sherwood Jacksonville Russellville Bella Vista West Memphis Paragould Cabot Counties Arkansas Ashley Baxter Benton Boone Bradley Calhoun Carroll Chicot Clark Clay Cleburne Cleveland Columbia Conway Craighead Crawford Crittenden Cross Dallas Desha Drew Faulkner Franklin Fulton Garland Grant Greene Hempstead Hot Spring Howard Independence Izard Jackson Jefferson Johnson Lafayette Lawrence Lee Lincoln Little River Logan Lonoke Madison Marion Miller Mississippi Monroe Montgomery Nevada Newton Ouachita Perry Phillips Pike Poinsett Polk Pope Prairie Pulaski Randolph Saline Scott Searcy Sebastian Sevier Sharp St. Francis Stone Union Van Buren Washington White Woodruff Yell