Washington, Arkansas
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Washington is a city in Ozan Township, Hempstead County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 180 at the 2010 census,<ref name="Census 2010">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> up from 148 in 2000. It is part of the Hope Micropolitan Statistical Area. The city is home to Historic Washington State Park.
History
[edit]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 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 Alamo. Houston is believed to have planned parts of the revolt strategy in a tavern in Washington during 1834.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> James Black, a Washington blacksmith, is credited with creating a knife which became known as the iconic Bowie knife, carried by James Bowie.<ref>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite web</ref> Later, the town became a major service center for area planters, merchants and professionals. Following the capture of Little Rock by the Union Army in 1863, the pro-Confederate States of America state government moved the state government offices to Hot Springs for a short time, then ultimately based the state government out of Washington, making it the (rebel) state capital until 1865.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</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 took on Washington's formerly important role.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Geography
[edit]Washington is in north-central Hempstead County, Template:Convert northwest of Hope, the county seat. U.S. Route 278 passes through Washington as Columbus Street, leading southeast to Hope and northwest Template:Convert to Nashville. Arkansas Highway 195 has its northern terminus in Washington and leads southwest Template:Convert to Fulton on the Red River.Template:Citation needed
According to the United States Census Bureau, Washington has a total area of Template:Convert, all land.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite web</ref>
Demographics
[edit]2020 census
[edit]| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>Template:Cite web</ref> | Pop 2010<ref name="2010CensusP2">Template:Cite web</ref> | Template:Partial<ref name="2020CensusP2">Template:Cite web</ref> | % 2000 | % 2010 | Template:Partial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 57 | 94 | 46 | 38.51% | 52.22% | 48.94% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 91 | 78 | 39 | 61.49% | 43.33% | 41.49% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.56% | 0.00% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.06% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0.00% | 1.67% | 4.26% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0.00% | 2.22% | 4.26% |
| Total | 148 | 180 | 94 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 148 people, 78 households, and 40 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 93 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 38.51% White and 61.49% Black or African American.
There were 78 households, out of which 14.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% were 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
[edit]Washington is within the Hope School District.<ref>"SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Hempstead County, AR." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on October 15, 2017.</ref> Students attend Hope High School. The former Washington School District was dissolved on July 1, 1990, with its territory given to the Hope school district as well as the Blevins and Saratoga school districts.<ref name=Consolfrom1983>"ConsolidationAnnex_from_1983.xls Template:Webarchive." Arkansas Department of Education. Retrieved on October 13, 2017.</ref>
Culture
[edit]Washington is home to Historic Washington State Park.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Notable people
[edit]- James Black (1800–1872), blacksmith who crafted the Bowie knife based upon a design by Jim Bowie<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref>
- Augustus Hill Garland (1832–1899), 38th Attorney General of the United States<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref>
- Benjamin P. Jett, state legislator who served as Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives
- Daniel Webster Jones (1839–1918), 19th Governor of Arkansas<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref>
- Charles Burton Mitchel (1815–1864), C.S. Senator from Arkansas<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref>
- Albert Gallatin Simms (1882–1964), Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico's at-large district<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
[edit]- List of cities and towns in Arkansas
- List of memorials to George Washington
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Hempstead County, Arkansas
References
[edit]External links
[edit]Template:Hempstead County, Arkansas Template:Authority control