Pocahontas, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Pocahontas is a city in Randolph County, Arkansas
, United States
, along the Black River
. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, its population of the city is 6,765. The city is the county seat
of Randolph County.
Pocahontas has a number of historic buildings, including:
In How Few Remain
, an alternative history novel by Harry Turtledove
, the town is mentioned as the only Confederate town taken by the US during the Second Mexican War.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 7.6 square miles (19.7 km²), of which, 7.3 square miles (18.9 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (2.78%) is water.
of 2000, there were 6,518 people, 2,693 households, and 1,742 families residing in the city. The population density
was 886.6 people per square mile (342.4/km²). There were 2,924 housing units at an average density of 397.7 per square mile (153.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.27% Caucasian
, 1.10% Black
or African American
, 0.44% Native American
, 0.08% Asian
, 0.20% from other races
, and 0.91% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 2,693 households out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples
living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,450, and the median income for a family was $29,525. Males had a median income of $26,382 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,529. About 15.6% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.9% of those under age 18 and 16.5% of those age 65 or over.
Pocahontas is the home of Black River Technical College
.
is better known as Lite 104.1 FM; KPOC
is News Sports Talk 1420 AM; KIYS
is Country 106.3 FM; and KRLW
is Oldies 1320 AM. While the KRLW & KIYS radio stations are broadcast centrally to the Walnut Ridge/Hoxie area (a neighboring community roughly 15 miles away), the actual broadcasting location as well as main offices are centered with KPOC inside of Pocahontas. The stations are operated by Combined Media Group, Inc.
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...
, along the Black River
Black River (Arkansas)
The Black River is a tributary of the White River, about 300 mi long , in southeastern Missouri and northeastern Arkansas in the United States. Via the White River, it is part of the Mississippi River watershed...
. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, its population of the city is 6,765. The city is the county seat
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....
of Randolph County.
Pocahontas has a number of historic buildings, including:
- Old Randolph County Courthouse (1871), still defining the center of town
- St. Mary's AME ChurchAfrican Methodist Episcopal ChurchThe African Methodist Episcopal Church, usually called the A.M.E. Church, is a predominantly African American Methodist denomination based in the United States. It was founded by the Rev. Richard Allen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1816 from several black Methodist congregations in the...
and Pocahontas ColoredColoredColored is a term once widely used in the United States to describe black people and Native Americans...
School (1918), now home to the Eddie Mae Herron Center
In How Few Remain
How Few Remain
How Few Remain is a 1997 alternate history novel by Harry Turtledove. It is the first part of the Southern Victory Series saga, which depicts a world in which the Confederacy won the American Civil War. The book received the Sidewise Award for Alternate History in 1997, and was also nominated for...
, an alternative history novel by Harry Turtledove
Harry Turtledove
Harry Norman Turtledove is an American novelist, who has produced works in several genres including alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction.- Life :...
, the town is mentioned as the only Confederate town taken by the US during the Second Mexican War.
History
Local legend holds that Pocahontas was named the county seat through an act of trickery. Supposedly, at the county meeting to determine which city would receive the honor, the delegation from Pocahontas brought in large quantities of alcohol and distributed them to the other delegations. When the time came to vote, the only delegation that was not passed out or otherwise influenced, was that from Pocahontas.Geography
Pocahontas is located at 36°15′49"N 90°58′24"W (36.263560, -90.973349).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 7.6 square miles (19.7 km²), of which, 7.3 square miles (18.9 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (2.78%) is water.
List Of Highways
Highway 90
Highway 115
Highway 166- Highway 251
Highway 304
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
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 6,518 people, 2,693 households, and 1,742 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 886.6 people per square mile (342.4/km²). There were 2,924 housing units at an average density of 397.7 per square mile (153.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.27% Caucasian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.10% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.44% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.08% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.20% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.91% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 2,693 households out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% 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, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,450, and the median income for a family was $29,525. Males had a median income of $26,382 versus $18,750 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 $15,529. About 15.6% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.9% of those under age 18 and 16.5% of those age 65 or over.
Noted natives
- Edwin Bethune, a former member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, Bethune graduated from Pocahontas High School but left the community in 1972. He was elected to Congress from the 2nd Congressional District in Arkansas (Randolph County falls under the 1st District)
- Wear SchoonoverWear SchoonoverWear Schoonover was an American football player. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1967. He was the first Arkansas Razorback football player to be on the All-american team. He has the Pocahontas Redskins high-school football field and basketball court named after him....
, Pocahontas native, was the first University of ArkansasArkansas 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...
athlete in any sport named to an all American team. Schoonover starred as a wide receiver for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks in 1927-1929. He was named All American in 1929. Schoonover was named to the College Football Hall of FameCollege Football Hall of FameThe College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
in 1967. All Southwest Conference in basketball, he also excelled at college baseball and track and field and achieved the highest GPA (pre-law) of any Arkansas athlete through the 1980s. His name is reflected by the title of the local high school basketball court (Schoonover Fieldhouse) as well as the high school football field (Schoonover Stadium).
- Dr. Larry P. ArnnLarry P. ArnnLarry P. Arnn has served as the twelfth president of Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, United States since May 2000.-Biography:Born in Pocahontas, Arkansas, Arnn received his B.A. in Political Science and Accounting from Arkansas State University. He earned graduate degrees in Government...
, a Pocahontas native, is currently president of Hillsdale CollegeHillsdale CollegeHillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, United States, is a co-educational liberal arts college known for being the first American college to prohibit in its charter all discrimination based on race, religion, or sex; its refusal of government funding; and its monthly publication, Imprimis...
, Hillsdale, Mich. He was co-founder of Claremont Institute, Claremont, Calif. and served as its president from its founding in 1985 until his appointment as Hillsdale president in 2000. While studying at Oxford University, Arnn served as Director of Research for Sir Martin GilbertMartin GilbertSir Martin John Gilbert, CBE, PC is a British historian and Fellow of Merton College, University of Oxford. He is the author of over eighty books, including works on the Holocaust and Jewish history...
, the official biographer of Winston ChurchillWinston ChurchillSir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
.
- Billy Lee RileyBilly Lee RileyBilly Lee Riley was an American rockabilly musician, singer, record producer and songwriter. His most memorable recordings included "Rock With Me Baby," and "Red Hot".-Biography:...
, Pocahontas native, Son of Sun Records and Rock and Roll Pioneer.
Education
Pocahontas is home to the Pocahontas Public Schools, which are made up of Alma Spikes Elementary School, M. D. Williams Intermediate School, Pocahontas Junior High School and Pocahontas High School. Pocahontas' school mascot is the Redskins. Pocahontas is home to St Paul Elementary School. A private Catholic school serving pre-k through 6th grade. St Paul's mascot is the Sabres.Pocahontas is the home of Black River Technical College
Black River Technical College
Black River Technical College is a public community college serving northeast Arkansas, located in Pocahontas, Arkansas. It is named for the Black River which runs through the city....
.
Media
Pocahontas is also home to KPOC/KRLW/KIYS Radio stations. The stations' "better known names" are as follows: KPOC-FMKPOC-FM
KPOC-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Adult Contemporary music format. Licensed to Pocahontas, Arkansas, USA. The station is currently owned by Combined Media Group....
is better known as Lite 104.1 FM; KPOC
KPOC (AM)
KPOC is a radio station broadcasting a Adult Contemporary music format. Licensed to Pocahontas, Arkansas, USA. The station is currently owned by Combined Media Group....
is News Sports Talk 1420 AM; KIYS
KIYS
KWNW is a radio station broadcasting a Top 40 format serving the Memphis, Tennessee, area. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications and is licensed to Crawfordsville, Arkansas.-History:...
is Country 106.3 FM; and KRLW
KRLW (AM)
KRLW is a radio station broadcasting a Oldies format. Licensed to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, USA, the station serves the Jonesboro area. The station is currently owned by Combined Media Group, Inc. and features programing from ABC Radio....
is Oldies 1320 AM. While the KRLW & KIYS radio stations are broadcast centrally to the Walnut Ridge/Hoxie area (a neighboring community roughly 15 miles away), the actual broadcasting location as well as main offices are centered with KPOC inside of Pocahontas. The stations are operated by Combined Media Group, Inc.
Culture
Downtown Pocahontas consists of a 17 block area that has been designated a National Historic Commercial District. Pocahontas is also a Preserve America Community. Pocahontas is home to the Imperial Dinner theatre, Studio for the Arts, and Randolph Music Theatre.External links
- Ozark Weather & Radar
- Randolph County Heritage Museum
- Downtown Art Association of Pocahontas
- Eddie Mae Herron Center - Museum of African American History and Heritage and Community Center
- Randolph County Tourism Association
- Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry: Pocahontas (Randolph County)