Jump to content

El Dorado, Arkansas

From Niidae Wiki

Template:Distinguish Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement

El Dorado (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell) is a city in and the county seat of Union County, on the southern border of Arkansas, United States.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> According to the 2020 census, the population of the city is 17,755.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

El Dorado is headquarters of the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission as well as Murphy USA, Deltic Timber Corporation and a DelekUS oil refinery. The city has a downtown arts district, the Murphy Arts District (MAD); a community college, South Arkansas College (SouthArk); and a multi-cultural arts center, South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC). El Dorado is the population, cultural and business center of south central Arkansas.

The city was the heart of the 1920s oil boom in the area. During World War II, it became a center of the chemical industry, which still plays a part in the economy, as do oil and timber.

History

[edit]

Timeline

[edit]
  • 1829, the territorial legislature took sections of Hempstead and Clark counties to establish Union County.<ref name="The History of El Dorado">Template:Cite web</ref>
  • 1843, Matthew Rainey founded and named El Dorado.<ref name="El Dorado Union County">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="britannica.com">Template:Cite web</ref> El Dorado became the Union County seat that same year<ref name="El Dorado Union County"/><ref name="britannica.com"/><ref name="The History of El Dorado"/> and the first Presbyterian church was organized.<ref name="The History of El Dorado"/>
  • 1845, First Baptist Church was organized.<ref name="El Dorado Union County"/>
  • 1870, El Dorado Baptist Church was founded<ref name="The History of El Dorado"/> and El Dorado was incorporated.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • 1883, Albert Williams was lynched in El Dorado<ref name="El Dorado Union County"/>
  • 1891, the first passenger train arrives in El Dorado from Camden.<ref name="The History of El Dorado"/>
  • 1902, the Tucker-Parnell Feud erupts between Guy Tucker (city marshal), and a local businessman (Tom Parnell).<ref name="El Dorado Union County"/>
  • 1908, Washington High School opens.<ref name="The History of El Dorado"/>
  • 1919, Frank Livingston, a black World War I veteran accused of murder with scant evidence, was burned alive by a mob near El Dorado.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • 1921, the Busey No. 1 well was completed. The start of the oil boom.<ref name="El Dorado Union County"/><ref name="rexnelsonsouthernfried.com">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="britannica.com"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="The History of El Dorado"/><ref name="isjl.org">Template:Cite web</ref> El Dorado is sometimes referred to as "Arkansas' Original Boomtown."<ref name="El Dorado Union County"/><ref name="rexnelsonsouthernfried.com"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="The History of El Dorado"/>
  • 1922, El Dorado Oil Refinery was commissioned and the B'nai B'rith lodge was founded.<ref name="isjl.org"/>
  • 1927, the Lion Oil-Exchange Building was completed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (0.31%) is water.

Topography

[edit]

El Dorado is located in the West Gulf Coastal Plain: In Arkansas, the West Gulf Coastal Plain covers the southeastern and south central portions of the state along the border of Louisiana. This Lowland area of Arkansas is characterized by pine forests and farmlands. Natural resources include natural gas, petroleum deposits and beds of bromine flats. The lowest point in the state is found on the Ouachita River in the West Gulf Coastal Plain of Arkansas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Climate

[edit]

El Dorado is located in the humid subtropical zone (Köppen climate classification: Cfa).<ref name="Köppen">Template:Cite web</ref>

Template:Weather box

Demographics

[edit]

Template:US Census population

2020 census

[edit]
El Dorado racial composition<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Race Num. Perc.
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 9,029 50.85%
White (non-Hispanic) 6,868 38.68%
Native American 34 0.19%
Asian 210 1.18%
Pacific Islander 3 0.02%
Other/Mixed 595 3.35%
Hispanic or Latino 1,017 5.73%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,756 people, 7,164 households, and 4,466 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,096 people per square mile.<ref name="GR2" />

25.9% of the population were under 18, and 7.1% were under 5. People over 65 made up 16.7% of the population. The gender make up of the city was 50.6% female and 49.4% male.<ref name="GR2" />

The median household income was $41,831, and the per capita income was $24,081. People under the poverty line made up 22.6% of the population.<ref name="GR2" />

2010 census

[edit]

As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2010, there were 18,884 people, 8,969 households, and 5,732 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 9,969 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 49.9% Black or African American, 45.1% White, 0.30% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.8% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 1.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

There were 8,686 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. Of 8,686 households, 304 are unmarried partner households: 243 heterosexual, 19 same-sex male, and 42 same-sex female. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,045, and the median income for a family was $34,753. Males had a median income of $30,876 versus $19,211 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,332. About 20.0% of families and 24.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.3% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

[edit]

Venues

[edit]
File:El Dorado, AR, Conference Center IMG 2633.JPG
El Dorado Conference Center

The Murphy Arts District (MAD) opened in 2017 in downtown El Dorado.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The district includes a music hall, outdoor amphitheater, farmer's market, musical performers, restaurant with performance stage, the largest playscape in the state, and a water park.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC) is a Template:Convert facility with three visual art galleries, a ballet studio, a theatre, educational classroom space, and an open art studio.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> SAAC hosts stage events and art exhibitions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The El Dorado Municipal Auditorium is a multi-purpose auditorium with a large lobby, grand hall seating, and multi-tiered sloping balcony. It has featured musical acts, entertainment shows, school productions, dance recitals and was formerly the location of the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, which was founded in 1956.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The El Dorado Conference Center is a Template:Convert multi-purpose facility opened in 2011, which features an assembly hall main hall, small meeting rooms, the student services for South Arkansas College, and bookstore, and café.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Annual events

[edit]

The Mayhaw Festival occurs in May.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The official event name is "Bugs Bands and Bikes".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It coincides with a crawfish boil, a "Battle of the Bands", a bike show/one day motorcycle rally, a motorcycle parade, and pool tournament.Template:Citation needed

The "SouthArk Outdoor Expo occurs in September<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with activities for anglers, hunters, children, and families.

MusicFest occurs in October in an eight-block area, featuring over 30 acts on five stages.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Winter events include the "Festival of Lights" and the "largest Christmas parade in Arkansas".Template:Citation needed

Attractions

[edit]
File:Rialto Theater, El Dorado, AR IMG 2629.JPG
Rialto Theater

Parks and recreation

[edit]

City parks include: Lions Club Park and Golf Course, Mattocks Park, Mosby Park, Neel Park, Old City Park, and South Side Park.

The El Dorado Recreation Complex and Pavilion has a playground, baseball and softball facility and two pavilions. It is the location of the El Dorado High School Wildcat Baseball Field and Ladycat Softball Field.

Memorial Stadium is a 7,030-seat football stadium and track which hosts sports event, school teams, the Boomtown Classic, an annual college football match between in-state college football rivals.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

[edit]

According to the 2000 Census, 22.5% of the population age 25+ had an associate degree or higher.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> More than 400 teachers and administrators work to meet the needs of all students regardless of age, ability, or background. Approximately 50 percent of these teachers and administrators hold advanced degrees.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> More than 4,600 students attend the nine El Dorado public schools in the El Dorado School District #15.Template:Citation needed A new high school with a 1500-student capacity was completed in June 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Public

[edit]

Elementary

[edit]

There are five elementary schools in the district, divided into academies (K-4) and 1 (K-6):

  • Hugh Goodwin Elementary School of the Arts
  • Murmil Heights learning center
  • Northwest Elementary School of Environment
  • Retta Brown Elementary School of Communication and Technologies
  • Yocum Elementary School of Math and Science

Secondary

[edit]

Collegiate

[edit]

South Arkansas Community College (SouthArk), is a public two-year institution providing educational programs, services, and resources for students. SouthArk offers degrees and certificates in health sciences, industrial technologies, liberal arts, and business.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Private

[edit]
  • Maranatha Baptist Christian School (PK-12)
  • West Side Christian School (PK-12)
  • Light Brigade Christian Academy (PK-12)
  • Holy Redeemer School (1925–2005)

Media

[edit]
File:El Dorado, AR News-Times building IMG 2614.JPG
El Dorado News-Times office

Radio

[edit]

Radio stations include: KMLK (urban adult contemporary), KDMS (southern gospel), KIXB (country), KMRX (classic hits), KAGL (classic rock), KELD (talk), KELD-FM (contemporary hits), KLBQ (classic country), KBSA (NPR), and KAKV.

Television

[edit]

Television stations serving El Dorado include: KTVE (NBC), KETZ (PBS), K20OC (CBS-HD), KTVE-HD (NBC-HD), K20OC (CBS), KETZ-DT (AETN/PBS), KTBS (ABC), KNOE (CBS), KARD (FOX), and KMLU (MeTV).

Print

[edit]

The El Dorado News-Times is one of the oldest newspapers in South Arkansas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Infrastructure

[edit]

Major highways

[edit]

Airports

[edit]

El Dorado has two airports, both owned by the city. South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field services private aircraft and one commercial carrier,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and El Dorado Downtown Airport services local industries, and offers hangar space to small private planes.Template:Citation needed

Railways

[edit]

El Dorado is served by the Union Pacific Railroad, as well as two shortlines, being the El Dorado and Wesson Railway and the Ouachita Railroad.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Utilities

[edit]

El Dorado water is served locally by El Dorado Water Utilities, a private company.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Electricity is supplied by Entergy of Arkansas. Other utility companies serving El Dorado include Summit Utilities (natural gas), Southern Lp-Gas (liquid gas), Bcs (bottled and metered gas), Suddenlink (cable TV, internet and phone), Verizon Wireless and AT&T (residential and wireless phone service).

Health systems

[edit]

The city and surrounding area is served by the Medical Center of South Arkansas, MCSA, accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, is a general acute-care hospital licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Template:Portal

References

[edit]

Template:Reflist

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]

Template:Commons category

Template:Navboxes Template:Authority control

Retrieved from "https://wiki.niidae.com/index.php?title=El_Dorado,_Arkansas&oldid=77406"