Batesville, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Batesville is the county seat
and largest city of Independence County, Arkansas
, United States
, 80 miles (183 km) northeast of Little Rock
, the state capital. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 9,556. The city serves as a regional manufacturing and distribution hub for the Ozark Mountain region and northeast Arkansas.
. It was named for James Woodson Bates
who settled in the town and was the first territorial delegate from Arkansas to the Congress of the United States. The town has also gone by the names of Napoleon and Polk Bayou.
In early days, Batesville was an important port on the White River
and served as an entry point to the interior of northern Arkansas. Batesville played a large role in the settling of the Ozark Mountains region and served as the central land office for northern Arkansas.
The first known settlement of the Batesville area was in 1810 near the mouth of Polk Bayou, and by 1819 the town had a ferry across the White River and about a dozen houses. The town was partially laid out in early 1821, and on March 3, 1822 a bill of assurrance was recorded and executed and the town's plat was laid out. Batesville became the county seat in 1821. In January 1822, Judge Richard Searcy opened the town's first state circuit court. The town's first post office
was established in 1822, and in 1830 became the home of a county court. On 25 September 1836, shortly after Arkansas was granted its statehood, Governor Conway
incorporated Batesville Academy, the state's first academy. In the past, the area in and around the city had extensive quarries of manganese
ore, phosphate
rock, sandstone
, limestone
, and marble
.
Batesville currently has only one high school within the city limits, Batesville High School. Also, Batesville is the home of Lyon College
, a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
, and noted for the annual Arkansas Scottish Festival each spring. In addition, the city is home to the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
(UACCB), and NASCAR
driver Mark Martin
. It contains three National Register Historic Districts and many properties separately listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. It was listed in Norman Crampton's 1992 book The 100 Best Small Towns in America, ranking at #74.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 10.6 square miles (27.5 km²), of which 10.4 square miles (26.9 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) (2.07%) is water.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 9,445 people, 3,777 households, and 2,383 families residing in the city. The population density
was 907.3 people per square mile (350.3/km²). There were 4,146 housing units at an average density of 398.3 per square mile (153.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.42% White
, 4.65% Black or African American
, 0.29% Native American
, 1.16% Asian
, 0.07% Pacific Islander
, 1.40% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. 2.50% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos
of any race.
There were 3,777 households out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.92.
The age distribution was 22.0% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,133, and the median income for a family was $42,634. Males had a median income of $31,068 versus $20,506 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,753. About 11.1% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.1% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those age 65 or over.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
and largest city of Independence County, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 80 miles (183 km) northeast of Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
, the state capital. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 9,556. The city serves as a regional manufacturing and distribution hub for the Ozark Mountain region and northeast Arkansas.
History
Batesville is the second oldest municipality in the state of Arkansas, after GeorgetownGeorgetown, Arkansas
Georgetown is a town in southeastern White County, Arkansas, United States, overlooking the White River. First settled in 1789 before the Louisiana Purchase, the community is the oldest continuously settled area in Arkansas...
. It was named for James Woodson Bates
James Woodson Bates
James Woodson Bates was an American lawyer and statesman from Sebastian County, Arkansas. He represented the Arkansas Territory as a delegate to the U.S. Congress. He served in 1828 as a judge of the superior court of the territory...
who settled in the town and was the first territorial delegate from Arkansas to the Congress of the United States. The town has also gone by the names of Napoleon and Polk Bayou.
In early days, Batesville was an important port on the White River
White River (Arkansas)
The White River is a 722-mile long river that flows through the U.S. states of Arkansas and Missouri.-Course:The source of the White River is in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas, in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest southeast of Fayetteville...
and served as an entry point to the interior of northern Arkansas. Batesville played a large role in the settling of the Ozark Mountains region and served as the central land office for northern Arkansas.
The first known settlement of the Batesville area was in 1810 near the mouth of Polk Bayou, and by 1819 the town had a ferry across the White River and about a dozen houses. The town was partially laid out in early 1821, and on March 3, 1822 a bill of assurrance was recorded and executed and the town's plat was laid out. Batesville became the county seat in 1821. In January 1822, Judge Richard Searcy opened the town's first state circuit court. The town's first post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
was established in 1822, and in 1830 became the home of a county court. On 25 September 1836, shortly after Arkansas was granted its statehood, Governor Conway
James Sevier Conway
James Sevier Conway was a Democratic Governor of the State of Arkansas, the first elected governor of the state....
incorporated Batesville Academy, the state's first academy. In the past, the area in and around the city had extensive quarries of manganese
Manganese
Manganese is a chemical element, designated by the symbol Mn. It has the atomic number 25. It is found as a free element in nature , and in many minerals...
ore, phosphate
Phosphate
A phosphate, an inorganic chemical, is a salt of phosphoric acid. In organic chemistry, a phosphate, or organophosphate, is an ester of phosphoric acid. Organic phosphates are important in biochemistry and biogeochemistry or ecology. Inorganic phosphates are mined to obtain phosphorus for use in...
rock, sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
, limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
, and marble
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
.
Batesville currently has only one high school within the city limits, Batesville High School. Also, Batesville is the home of Lyon College
Lyon College
Lyon College is an independent, residential, co-educational, undergraduate liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church . Founded in 1872, it is the oldest independent college in Arkansas...
, a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
, and noted for the annual Arkansas Scottish Festival each spring. In addition, the city is home to the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville is a public community college located in Batesville, Arkansas. It is an accredited two-year university offering various Associates of Arts and Associates of Science degrees.- History :...
(UACCB), and NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver Mark Martin
Mark Martin
Mark Martin may refer to:* Mark Martin , American racecar driver* Mark Martin , American cartoonist* Mark Martin , American judge* Mark Martin , British murderer...
. It contains three National Register Historic Districts and many properties separately listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. It was listed in Norman Crampton's 1992 book The 100 Best Small Towns in America, ranking at #74.
Geography
Batesville is located at 35°46′25"N 91°38′29"W (35.773488, -91.641338). Batesville lies on the White River.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 10.6 square miles (27.5 km²), of which 10.4 square miles (26.9 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) (2.07%) is water.
List Of Highways
U.S. Highway 167
Arkansas Highway 69Arkansas Highway 69Arkansas Highway 69 is a name representing multiple highways in the state of Arkansas.-Section 1:Highway 69 is a highway that leads from Melbourne to Newport in Arkansas.-Description:...
Arkansas Highway 69 Business
Arkansas Highway 106Arkansas Highway 106Arkansas Highway 106 is a state highway of that runs in Independence County.-Route description:AR 106 begins at AR 69 and runs south to Bethesda. After Bethesda, AR 106 turns east and runs until meeting AR 69 BUS in Batesville, where the route terminates....
Arkansas Highway 233Arkansas Highway 233Arkansas Highway 233 is a state highway of that runs in Independence County. It has no business or spur routes.-Route description:...
Demographics
In 1890, 2,150 people lived in Batesville; in 1900, 2,327, in 1910, 3,399; and in 1940, 5,267.As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 9,445 people, 3,777 households, and 2,383 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 907.3 people per square mile (350.3/km²). There were 4,146 housing units at an average density of 398.3 per square mile (153.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.42% White
White American
White Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
, 4.65% Black or African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 0.29% Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, 1.16% Asian
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
, 0.07% Pacific Islander
Pacific Islander American
Pacific Islander Americans, also known as Oceanian Americans, are residents of the United States with original ancestry from Oceania. They represent the smallest racial group counted in the United States census of 2000. They numbered 874,000 people or 0.3 percent of the United States population...
, 1.40% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. 2.50% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos
Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
of any race.
There were 3,777 households out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.92.
The age distribution was 22.0% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,133, and the median income for a family was $42,634. Males had a median income of $31,068 versus $20,506 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,753. About 11.1% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.1% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
- Elisha BaxterElisha BaxterElisha Baxter was the tenth Governor of the State of Arkansas.-Biography:Elisha Baxter was born in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Baxter received an appointment to the United States Military Academy but his father would not allow him to attend.In 1852 Baxter moved to Arkansas and opened a...
, thirteenth governor of ArkansasArkansasArkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River... - Daniel Haigwood, pitching prospect for the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
- Mark MartinMark MartinMark Martin may refer to:* Mark Martin , American racecar driver* Mark Martin , American cartoonist* Mark Martin , American judge* Mark Martin , British murderer...
, NASCAR driver, born and raised in Batesville - William R. Miller, first native-born governor of Arkansas, born in Batesville 1823
- Rick MondayRick MondayRobert James "Rick" Monday, Jr. is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball and is currently a broadcast announcer. From 1966 through 1984, Monday, a center fielder for most of his career, played for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics , Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
, born in Batesville, major league baseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player - Charlie StrongCharlie StrongCharlie R. Strong is an American college football coach and former player. Strong is a native of Arkansas and graduated from the University of Central Arkansas, where he played college football...
, head coach with the University of LouisvilleUniversity of LouisvilleThe University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
football team - Mutha's Day OutMutha's Day OutMutha's Day Out was an alternative metal band formed in November 1991 from the town of Batesville, Arkansas. The band consisted of: Mikal Moore , Brice Stephens , Chuck Schaaf , Jeff Morgan , and Rodney Moffitt...
, 1990s rock band, signed to Chrysalis records, had 3 videos on MTV rotation and 2 world tours - Ryan MallettRyan MallettRyan Mallett , nicknamed "Big Tex", is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League , taken in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks...
, quarterback for the New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, formerly Arkansas RazorbacksArkansas RazorbacksThe Razorbacks, also known as the Hogs, are the names of college sports teams at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The term Arkansas Razorbacks properly applies to any of the sports teams at the university. The Razorbacks take their name from the feral pig of the same name...
, born in Batesville
External links
- City of Batesville, the official website of the City of Batesville
- MyBatesville.org, the official page of the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce
- GuardOnline.com, the online edition of the Batesville Daily Guard newspaper
- Batesville Preservation Association, a local organization dedicated to preservation and restoration of the area's historic buildings
- Old Independence Regional Museum
- Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry: Batesville (Independence County)
- Ozark Weather & Radar