Forrest City, Arkansas

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Forrest City, Arkansas
settlement_type = City


imagesize =
image_caption =
image_



mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in St. Francis County and the state of Arkansas


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Arkansas
subdivision_name2 = St. Francis
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Gordon McCoy
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 42.2
area_total_sq_mi = 16.4
area_land_km2 = 42.1
area_land_sq_mi = 16.3
area_water_km2 = 0.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0.1
elevation_ft = 253
elevation_m = 77
population_as_of = 2007
population_footnotes =
population_total = 13,540
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 350.1
population_density_sq_mi = 900.9
timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
latd = 35 |latm = 0 |lats = 36 |latNS = N
longd = 90 |longm = 47 |longs = 19 |longEW = W
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code =
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 05-24430
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0083152
footnotes =
website =

Forrest City is a city in St. Francis County, Arkansas, United States. It was named as a result of General Nathan Bedford Forrest using the location as a campsite for a construction crew soon after the Civil War. The railroad construction crew was completing the railroad that connects Memphis, TN with Little Rock, AR. According to the 2007 US Census, Forrest City has a population of 13,540

Geography

Forrest City is located at coor dms|35|0|36|N|90|47|19|W|city (35.010131, -90.788716)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.3 square miles (42.2 km²), of which, 16.3 square miles (42.1 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (0.37%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 14,774 people, 4,581 households, and 3,165 families residing in the city. The population density was 908.7 people per square mile (350.8/km²). There were 5,164 housing units at an average density of 317.6/sq mi (122.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 35.52% White, 60.93% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.30% from other races, and 2.31% from two or more races. 8.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,581 households out of which 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% were married couples living together, 28.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 116.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 121.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,111, and the median income for a family was $27,432. Males had a median income of $29,313 versus $21,295 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,716. About 29.0% of families and 33.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.9% of those under age 18 and 22.3% of those age 65 or over.

Heritage

On October 13, 1827, St. Francis County was officially recognized by the Arkansas Territorial Legislature in Little Rock. It is located in the east central part of Arkansas. Nathan Bedford Forrest, famous Confederate general, became interested in the area around Crowley's Ridge during the American Civil War. After the war, he contracted with railroad companies in Memphis and Little Rock to cut through the rough ridge and succeeded in linking the two cities by rail. The first trains came through in 1868.

General Forrest later built a commissary located on Front Street. Colonel V.B. Izard began the task of designing the town at that time. Most citizens were calling the area "Forrest's Town," which evolved into Forrest City. General Forrest's camp was incorporated May 11, 1870. Although the county seat was initially the now defunct town of Franklin, the county seat was permanently moved to Forrest City in 1874.

Forrest City History

The Forrest City Chamber of Commerce is located in the 100-year-old Becker House. This house has served a variety of functions since being sold by the Becker family. It has been an antique store and later a home furnishings boutique before being occupied by the Chamber.

Forrest City is located on Crowley's Ridge, a geological phenomenon that rises above the flat delta terrain that surrounds it. This north-south running highland is some three miles wide and 300 feet above sea level. Several species of trees not indigenous to Arkansas are found here, including Beech, Butternut, Sugar Maple, and Cucumber tree trees.

Forrest City is the county seat of St. Francis County,Arkansas, which was officially recognized and approved by the Arkansas legislature on May 11, 1876.

Proof that giant mastodons roamed the slope was revealed in 1949 when workmen excavating for sewer improvements found fossils of the massive beasts within the city-limits of Forrest City.

Famous Forrest Citians

*Al Green, singer and minister
*John W. Henry, principal owner of Boston Red Sox
*Don Kessinger, born in Forest City, major league baseball playercite book |editor=Reichler, Joseph L.| title=The Baseball Encyclopedia |origyear=1969 |edition= 4th edition |year= 1979|publisher= Macmillan Publishing |location= New York|language= |id= ISBN 0-02-578970-8 ]
*Charlie Rich see Colt, Arkansas
*Cal Slayton, comic book artist
*Dennis Winston, NFL player
*Lawrence E. Rea Jr., Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force
* [http://www.andrejackson.com Andre Jackson] , Actor
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1292243/ Roshawn Franklin] , Actor
*Frank Fowler (UnderGround Music LeGend)
*Ryan Hawkins (Leader Of Group SMFC)

References

External links

* [http://www.isjl.org/history/archive/ar/forrestcity.htm History of Forrest City's Jewish community] (from the Institute of Southern Jewish Life)
* [http://www.forrestcityarkansas.com/ Forrest City, Arkansas]
* [http://www.thnews.com/ Times Herald News]