Jefferson County, Arkansas

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company Building Bain, Jewel, House No. 4 Bain, Jewel, House Number 2 Bellingrath House Boone-Murphy House Caldwell Hall Camp White Sulphur Springs Confederate Cemetery Carnahan House Central Texas Gravel Locomotive #210 Community Theatre DODX Guard Car #G-56 Dollarway Road Dollarway Road (Boundary Increase) Du Bocage Elms, The Federal Building-U.S. Post Office and Courthouse Ferguson House Fox House Gibson-Burnham House Hotel Pines Howson House Hudson House Hudson-Grace-Borreson House Johnson House Katzenstein House Knox, R. M., House Lake Dick Lawrence A. Davis, Sr., Student Union Lee, R. E., House Lone Star Baptist Church MacMillan-Dilley House Masonic Temple McDonald's Store #433 Sign Merchants and Planters Bank Building Mills House National Guard Armory-Pine Bluff Nichol House O'Bryant, W.E., Bell Tower Parkview Apartments Pine Bluff Arsenal Access Road Bridge No. 2280 Pine Bluff Civic Center Pine Bluff Commercial Historic District Pine Bluff Fifth Avenue Historic District Plum Bayou Homesteads Prigmore House Puddephatt House Redfield School Historic District Roselawn Roth-Rosenzweig House Saenger Theater Sherrill Methodist Episcopal Church, South Sorrells, Walter B., Cottage St. Louis San Francisco (Frisco) Railway Coach #661 St. Louis Southwestern Railway (Cotton Belt Route) Caboose #2325 St. Louis Southwestern Railway (Cotton Belt Route) Relief Train St. Louis Southwestern Railway (Cotton Belt Route) Steam Locomotive #336 St. Louis Southwestern Railway Steam Locomotive #819 St. Peter's Cemetery Strengthen the Arm of Liberty Monument-Pine Bluff Taylor Field Temple House Trinity Episcopal Church Trulock-Cook House Trulock-Gould-Mullis House Tucker School U.S. 65 Expressway Pedestrian Bridge Union Station United States Army Snow Plow #SN-87 Wabash Alloys Locomotive Wabbaseka Methodist Episcopal Church, South Watson, John Brown, Memorial Library Building West James Street Overpass Yauch-Ragar House

Jefferson County, located in the southeastern part of Arkansas, has a rich history that dates back centuries. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Quapaw, who lived along the Arkansas River. European explorers first arrived in the region in the early 18th century, with French settlers establishing trading posts and creating alliances with the Native Americans.

The county itself was established in 1829 and was named after Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. With the construction of railroads in the mid-19th century, Jefferson County experienced a significant economic boom. The county became a major hub for transportation and commerce, leading to the growth of towns such as Pine Bluff, the county seat.

During the American Civil War, Jefferson County played a significant role due to its strategic location along the Arkansas River. Pine Bluff, in particular, became an important supply center for the Confederate Army. The county saw numerous skirmishes and battles, including the Battle of Pine Bluff in 1863. After the war, Jefferson County slowly recovered and began to diversify its economy, with industries such as timber, agriculture, and manufacturing gaining prominence.

In the 20th century, Jefferson County faced struggles common to many rural areas in the United States. The decline of the timber industry, the Great Depression, and the effects of World War II impacted the county's economy. However, efforts were made to revitalize the area, including the establishment of the Pine Bluff Arsenal, a major military installation. Today, Jefferson County continues to evolve and adapt, with a focus on economic development, education, and preserving its historical and cultural heritage.
Brief timeline of the history of Jefferson County, Arkansas:

  • Named after Thomas Jefferson, the county was established on November 2, 1829.
  • In 1832, the city of Pine Bluff was founded as the county seat.
  • During the Civil War, Jefferson County was a significant site of military activity.
  • In 1873, the county experienced a devastating fire that destroyed much of Pine Bluff.
  • The city of White Hall was incorporated in 1964.
  • In 1980, Jefferson County experienced a major flood caused by heavy rainfall.
  • Pine Bluff's economy has faced challenges in recent years, leading to population decline.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Jefferson County, Arkansas.