Arkansas City AR Moving Companies

Arkansas City, Arkansas

A population of just over 12,000, Arkansas City, Arkansas is the county seat of Desha County Arkansas. Located in the state’s Delta Region, the city is about 115 miles southeast of Little Rock and 75 miles southeast of Pine Bluff. A town rich in history and natural resources, Arkansas City is small in population, but large in potential for development and growth. Those moving to Arkansas City will quickly discover a convenient location within a welcoming, small-town atmosphere.

History:
Incorporated as a city around 1870, Arkansas City, Arkansas grew gradually through the latter part of the 19th century, before undergoing a population explosion starting in 1891. It has been estimated that the city's population swelled from 5,000 to 150,000 as the nationally recognized federal land giveaway approached. A devastating flood in 1927 shook the city to its core, and the national economic depression that followed slowed the city’s recovery.

Though the poverty of the area is still apparent in many of the city's housing, there remain a number of older homes throughout the city that were built to withstand the frequently occurring floods of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Recent successful efforts to establish a zoning ordinance throughout the city's historic district, over time, will allow these jewels from the past to shine once again. Through the recording studio and other local music sectors, the city has gradually begun to acquire a reputation for attracting recognized local and national recording artists. A fall music and food festival, "LeveeFest," highlights the local music talent every year. Combined with the various recreational enjoyments and unique history of the area, Arkansas City offers the opportunity for development in the areas of tourism and retirement.

Economy:
With stocks and bonds showing little attraction to cautious investor, and with security in metropolitan areas becoming an increasing concern, relocating and doing business in rural America makes sense. You cannot find a small town in the southeastern part of the country that has more growth potential than Arkansas City, Arkansas. The opportunity for tourism and recreational development, and a secure tranquil area for residential growth, combined with being located just minutes from the newest interstate to be constructed in the U.S., Arkansas City is becoming the ideal place for investors. As one of the largest cities in a primarily rural and agricultural state, Arkansas City is Arkansas’ second most significant area for economic activity. For decades, cotton, rice, soybeans and other crops were the area's main source of income. Their cultivation and distribution monopolized the labor pool and available capital, made it nearly impossible for other industry to gain traction, even in the city’s most significant economic areas. During the 1950s and 1960s, however, the Arkansas Industrial Development Corporation, headed by Winthrop Rockefeller, who later served as governor, began an aggressive campaign to attract manufacturers to the area. Although few firms established large operations, hundreds of companies moved in and set up small factories employing fewer than 1,000 people.

Tourism:
Due to its proximity to the Mississippi River, visitors and residents of the city enjoy a variety of outdoor recreational activities including hiking, climbing and rafting. Bird-watchers, in particular, will enjoy numerous spotting opportunities in the surrounding countryside such as Choctaw Island, which was recently recognized by the Audubon Society as an “Important Birding Area.” Next, head over to the Arkansas City Museum. Housed in a portion of a barracks that was used at Rohwer Relocation Camp during World War II, this is the ideal spot to witness the town’s history. In the evening, stop in one of the local taverns and chat with the locals over a cold drink, or head over to one its charming diners for a late night slice of pie.

Colleges/Universities:

• Cowley College

Interesting Facts:

• Once a vibrant river town of over 10,000, it was virtually destroyed during the Flood of 1927.
• Arkansas City is the hometown of John Johnson, founder of Johnson Publishing Company, publishers of Jet and Ebony magazines. Founded in 1942, Johnson Publishing Company became the largest Black-owned publishing company in the county.