Editing Washington, Arkansas

{{Confused|Washington County, Arkansas}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Washington, Arkansas
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|official_name            = City of Washington
|image_skyline            = Old_Washington.jpg
|image_caption            = [[Historic Washington State Park]]
|image_map                = Hempstead County Arkansas Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Washington Highlighted 0573370.svg
|map_caption              = Location of Washington in Hempstead County, Arkansas.
|pushpin_map              = USA
|pushpin_relief           = yes
|pushpin_label            = Washington
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location of Washington in the U.S.
|coordinates              = {{coord|33|46|22|N|93|41|00|W|region:US-AR_type:city|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = {{flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Arkansas}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Arkansas|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Hempstead County, Arkansas|Hempstead]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of Arkansas townships|Township]]
|subdivision_name3        = 
|established_title        = Settled
|established_date         = 1824
|established_title2       = Incorporated
|established_date2        = 1880
|named_for                = [[George Washington]]
|government_footnotes     = <ref name="AML2017">{{cite web|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=Washington|website=Arkansas Municipal League|url=http://local.arkansas.gov/local.php?agency=Washington|access-date=February 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107012157/http://local.arkansas.gov/local.php?agency=Washington|archive-date=November 7, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|government_type          = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–Council]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = [[City council|Council]]
|leader_name1             = Washington City Council
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_05.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 2.61
|area_total_sq_mi         = 1.01
|area_land_km2            = 2.61
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.01
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 436
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 94
|population_density_km2   = 36.03
|population_density_sq_mi = 93.35
|population_demonym       = Washingtonian
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
|utc_offset               = −6
|timezone_DST             = [[Central Time Zone#Central Daylight Time|CDT]]
|utc_offset_DST           = −5
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 71862
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|area_code                = [[Area code 870|870]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = {{FIPS|05|73370}}
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2405680<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2405680}}</ref>
|website                  = 
}}

'''Washington''' is a city in [[Ozan Township, Hempstead County, Arkansas]], United States. The population was 180 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]],<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0573370| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Washington city, Arkansas| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| access-date=April 19, 2017}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> up from 148 in [[2000 United States Census|2000]]. It is part of the [[Hope, Arkansas|Hope]] [[Hope micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]]. The city is home to [[Historic Washington State Park]].

==History==
From its establishment in 1824, Washington was an important stop on the rugged [[Southwest Trail]] for pioneers traveling to [[Texas]]. That same year, it was established as the "seat of justice" for that area, and in 1825 the Hempstead County Court of Common Pleas was established, located in a building constructed next door to a [[tavern]] owned by early resident Elijah Stuart. Between 1832 and 1839, thousands of [[Choctaw]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] passed through Washington on their way to [[Indian Territory]]. Frontiersmen and national heroes [[James Bowie]], [[Sam Houston]] and [[Davy Crockett]] all traveled through Washington en route to the [[Battle of the Alamo|Alamo]]. Houston is believed to have planned parts of the revolt strategy in a tavern in Washington during 1834.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://asms.k12.ar.us/armem/deloney/mem4.htm |title=Old Washington, Arkansas: Role in Developing History |access-date=June 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711225621/http://asms.k12.ar.us/armem/deloney/mem4.htm |archive-date=July 11, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[James Black (blacksmith)|James Black]], a Washington [[blacksmith]], is credited with creating a knife which became known as the iconic [[Bowie knife]], carried by James Bowie.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asms.k12.ar.us/armem/deloney/mem4.htm|title=Role in developing history|publisher=The Arkansas School for Mathematics|access-date=June 20, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711225621/http://asms.k12.ar.us/armem/deloney/mem4.htm|archive-date=July 11, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[War with Mexico]], beginning in 1846, Washington became a rally point for volunteer troops on their way to serve with the [[US Army]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.arkansas.com/places-to-go/cities-and-towns/city-detail.aspx?city=Washington|title= Washington|publisher= The Official Site of Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism|access-date= August 17, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120510042258/http://www.arkansas.com/places-to-go/cities-and-towns/city-detail.aspx?city=Washington|archive-date= May 10, 2012|url-status= live}}</ref> Later, the town became a major service center for area planters, merchants and professionals. Following the capture of [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]] by the [[Union Army]] in 1863, the pro-[[Confederate States of America]] state government moved the state government offices to [[Hot Springs, Arkansas|Hot Springs]] for a short time, then ultimately based the state government out of Washington, making it the (rebel) state capital until 1865.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.civilwarbuff.org/washington.html |title=The Civil War in Arkansas - Places &#124; Washington |access-date=January 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513174152/http://www.civilwarbuff.org/washington.html |archive-date=May 13, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://asms.k12.ar.us/armem/deloney/mem3.htm |title=Old Washington, Arkansas:Significance in Civil War |access-date=January 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711225536/http://asms.k12.ar.us/armem/deloney/mem3.htm |archive-date=July 11, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Albert G. Simms]] (1882–1964), a [[United States representative]] from [[New Mexico]], was born here. Following the construction of the Cairo and Fulton [[railroad]] eight miles to the south of Washington, which connected much of the state with Little Rock, the town began a slow decline. Now located on the area's primary travel route, [[Hope, Arkansas|Hope]] took on Washington's formerly important role.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://asms.k12.ar.us/armem/deloney/mem5.htm |title=Old Washington, Arkansas:Affects on the uprising of other cities |access-date=January 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070712035758/http://asms.k12.ar.us/armem/deloney/mem5.htm |archive-date=July 12, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Geography==
Washington is in north-central Hempstead County, {{convert|10|mi|0}} northwest of [[Hope, Arkansas|Hope]], the [[county seat]]. [[U.S. Route 278]] passes through Washington as Columbus Street, leading southeast to Hope and northwest {{convert|19|mi}} to [[Nashville, Arkansas|Nashville]]. [[Arkansas Highway 195]] has its northern terminus in Washington and leads southwest {{convert|14|mi}} to [[Fulton, Arkansas|Fulton]] on the [[Red River of the South|Red River]].{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Washington has a total area of {{convert|1.0|sqmi|km2}}, all land.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Washington has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=824330&cityname=Washington%2C+Arkansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |title=Climate Summary for Washington, Arkansas |access-date=November 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912022650/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=824330&cityname=Washington%2C+Arkansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |archive-date=September 12, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 730
|1890= 519
|1900= 374
|1910= 399
|1920= 556
|1930= 457
|1940= 432
|1950= 344
|1960= 321
|1970= 290
|1980= 265
|1990= 148
|2000= 148
|2010= 180
|2020= 94
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Washington, Arkansas – Racial and ethnic composition<br />{{nobold|The U.S. census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.}}
!Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Washington city, Arkansas |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US0573370&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name="2010CensusP2">{{Cite web |title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Washington city, Arkansas |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0573370&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name="2020CensusP2">{{Cite web |title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Washington city, Arkansas  |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0573370&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|57
|94
|style='background: #ffffe6; |46
|38.51%
|52.22%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |48.94%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|91
|78
|style='background: #ffffe6; |39
|61.49%
|43.33%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |41.49%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|0
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0
|0.00%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|0
|1
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0
|0.00%
|0.56%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|0
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0
|0.00%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Some Other Race]] alone (NH)
|0
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1
|0.00%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.06%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed Race or Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|0
|3
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4
|0.00%
|1.67%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.26%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|0
|4
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4
|0.00%
|2.22%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.26%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''148'''
|'''180'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''94'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 148 people, 78 households, and 40 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|147.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 93 housing units at an average density of {{convert|92.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 38.51% [[Race (United States Census)|White]] and 61.49% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]].

There were 78 households, out of which 14.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.7% were non-families. 44.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.90 and the average family size was 2.58.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 14.9% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 25.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females, there were 72.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $19,375, and the median income for a family was $21,042. Males had a median income of $41,875 versus $20,313 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,066. There were 10.8% of families and 18.6% of the population living below the [[poverty line]], including 25.0% of under eighteens and 21.7% of those over 64.

==Education==
Washington is within the [[Hope School District]].<ref>"[https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st05_ar/c05057_hempstead/DC10SD_C05057_001.pdf SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Hempstead County, AR]." [[U.S. Census Bureau]]. Retrieved on October 15, 2017.</ref> Students attend [[Hope High School (Arkansas)|Hope High School]]. The former [[Washington School District (Arkansas)|Washington School District]] was dissolved on July 1, 1990, with its territory given to the Hope school district as well as the [[Blevins School District|Blevins]] and [[Saratoga School District|Saratoga]] school districts.<ref name=Consolfrom1983>"[http://www.arkansased.gov/public/userfiles/Legal/ConsolidationAnnex_from_1983.xls ConsolidationAnnex_from_1983.xls] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912013154/http://www.arkansased.gov/public/userfiles/Legal/ConsolidationAnnex_from_1983.xls |date=September 12, 2015 }}." [[Arkansas Department of Education]]. Retrieved on October 13, 2017.</ref>

==Culture==
Washington is home to [[Historic Washington State Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historicwashingtonstatepark.com/|title=Historic Washington State Park|publisher=[[Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism]]|access-date=August 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208235945/http://www.historicwashingtonstatepark.com/|archive-date=February 8, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[James Black (blacksmith)|James Black]] (1800–1872), blacksmith who crafted the [[Bowie knife]] based upon a design by [[Jim Bowie]]<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2534|title=James Black (1800–1872)|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture]]|access-date=February 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203011422/http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2534|archive-date=February 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Augustus Hill Garland]] (1832–1899), 38th [[United States Attorney General|Attorney General of the United States]]<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=106|title=Augustus Hill Garland (1832–1899)|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture]]|access-date=August 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013201815/http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=106|archive-date=October 13, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Benjamin P. Jett]], state legislator who served as [[Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives]]
*[[Daniel Webster Jones (governor)|Daniel Webster Jones]] (1839–1918), 19th [[List of Governors of Arkansas|Governor of Arkansas]]<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=110|title=Daniel Webster Jones (1839–1918)|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture]]|access-date=February 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203011416/http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=110|archive-date=February 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Charles B. Mitchel|Charles Burton Mitchel]] (1815–1864), [[Congress of the Confederate States|C.S. Senator]] from [[Arkansas]]<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=2366|title=Charles Burton Mitchel (1815–1864)|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture]]|access-date=February 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203005917/http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=2366|archive-date=February 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Albert G. Simms|Albert Gallatin Simms]] (1882–1964), Member of the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] from [[New Mexico]]'s [[New Mexico's at-large congressional district|at-large]] district<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newmexicohistory.org/people/biographical-information-on-albert-gallatin-simms|title=Biographical Information on Albert Gallatin Simms|publisher=New Mexico Office of the State Historian|access-date=February 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203064327/http://newmexicohistory.org/people/biographical-information-on-albert-gallatin-simms|archive-date=February 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Arkansas|Cities}}
* [[List of cities and towns in Arkansas]]
* [[List of memorials to George Washington]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Hempstead County, Arkansas]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=5606 Washington (Hempstead County)] at ''[[Encyclopedia of Arkansas]]''

{{Hempstead County, Arkansas}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Washington, Arkansas}}
[[Category:1824 establishments in Arkansas Territory]]
[[Category:Cities in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Hempstead County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Former state capitals in the United States]]
[[Category:Former county seats in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Hope micropolitan area]]
[[Category:Planned communities in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1824]]