Washington, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Washington is a city in Hempstead County, Arkansas
, United States
. The population was 148 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Hope
Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
The city is also home to Old Washington Historic State Park
.
Augustus H. Garland, the Attorney General of the United States under U.S. President Grover Cleveland
lived there in his early years.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land.
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
American Indians
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. http://asms.k12.ar.us/armem/deloney/mem4.htm James Black, a local blacksmith, is credited with creating the legendary Bowie knife
carried by Jim Bowie at his blacksmith shop in Washington.
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. 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 Confederate government
moved the state government offices to Hot Springs
for short time, then ultimately based the state government out of Washington, making it the Capital of Arkansas
from 1863-1865. http://www.civilwarbuff.org/washington.html http://asms.k12.ar.us/armem/deloney/mem3.htm 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. No longer on a main travel route, Hope, Arkansas
took on Washington's formerly important role. http://asms.k12.ar.us/armem/deloney/mem5.htm
of 2000, there were 148 people, 78 households, and 40 families residing in the city. The population density
was 147.6 people per square mile (57.1/km²). There were 93 housing units at an average density of 92.7/sq mi (35.9/km²). 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.
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...
. The population was 148 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Hope
Hope, Arkansas
Hope is a small city in Hempstead County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2008 United States Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 10,378...
Micropolitan Statistical Area
Hope micropolitan area
The Hope Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas, anchored by the city of Hope....
.
The city is also home to Old Washington Historic State Park
Old Washington Historic State Park
Historic Washington State Park is a museum village located off United States Highway 278 in Washington, Arkansas. The state park opened in 1973 as Old Washington Historic State Park but was renamed in September 2006. It offers visitors walking guided tours which interpret the history of this...
.
Augustus H. Garland, the Attorney General of the United States under U.S. President Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
lived there in his early years.
Geography
Washington is located at 33°46′29"N 93°40′53"W (33.774670, -93.681451).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 1 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land.
History
From its establishment in 1826, Washington was an important stop on the rugged Southwest TrailSouthwest Trail
The Southwest Trail was a 19th-century pioneer route that was the primary route for American settlers bound for Texas.The Southwest Trail was originally an American Indian trace, and it was improved and expanded by European-American pioneers. The trail ran from St. Louis, Missouri, to Fulton,...
for pioneers traveling to Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. 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
Tavern
A tavern is a place of business where people gather to drink alcoholic beverages and be served food, and in some cases, where travelers receive lodging....
owned by early resident Elijah Stuart. Between 1832 and 1839 thousands of Choctaw
Choctaw
The Choctaw are a Native American people originally from the Southeastern United States...
American Indians
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
passed through Washington on their way to Indian Territory
Indian Territory
The Indian Territory, also known as the Indian Territories and the Indian Country, was land set aside within the United States for the settlement of American Indians...
. Frontiersmen and national heroes James Bowie, Sam Houston
Sam Houston
Samuel Houston, known as Sam Houston , was a 19th-century American statesman, politician, and soldier. He was born in Timber Ridge in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, of Scots-Irish descent. Houston became a key figure in the history of Texas and was elected as the first and third President of...
and Davy Crockett
Davy Crockett
David "Davy" Crockett was a celebrated 19th century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier and politician. He is commonly referred to in popular culture by the epithet "King of the Wild Frontier". He represented Tennessee in the U.S...
all traveled through Washington en route to the Alamo
Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar . All but two of the Texian defenders were killed...
. Houston is believed to have planned parts of the revolt strategy in a tavern in Washington during 1834. http://asms.k12.ar.us/armem/deloney/mem4.htm James Black, a local blacksmith, is credited with creating the legendary Bowie knife
Bowie knife
A Bowie knife is a pattern of fixed-blade fighting knife first popularized by Colonel James "Jim" Bowie in the early 19th Century. Since the first incarnation was created by James Black, the Bowie knife has come to incorporate several recognizable and characteristic design features, although its...
carried by Jim Bowie at his blacksmith shop in Washington.
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. Later, the town became a major service center for area planters, merchants and professionals. Following the capture of Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
by the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
in 1863, the Confederate government
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
moved the state government offices to Hot Springs
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
for short time, then ultimately based the state government out of Washington, making it the Capital of Arkansas
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...
from 1863-1865. http://www.civilwarbuff.org/washington.html http://asms.k12.ar.us/armem/deloney/mem3.htm Albert G. Simms
Albert G. Simms
Albert Gallatin Simms was a United States Representative from New Mexico. He was the husband of Ruth Hanna McCormick who was a United States Representative from Illinois. He was born in Washington, Arkansas where he attended private schools and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville...
(1882–1964), a United States Representative from New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, 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. No longer on a main travel route, Hope, Arkansas
Hope, Arkansas
Hope is a small city in Hempstead County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2008 United States Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 10,378...
took on Washington's formerly important role. http://asms.k12.ar.us/armem/deloney/mem5.htm
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 148 people, 78 households, and 40 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 147.6 people per square mile (57.1/km²). There were 93 housing units at an average density of 92.7/sq mi (35.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 38.51% White
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 61.49% 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...
.
There were 78 households out of which 14.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% 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, 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
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 $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.