Sheridan, Arkansas
Sheridan, Arkansas | |
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LIT) | |
Website | www |
Sheridan is a city and
History
Louisiana Purchase through Early Statehood
In 1818–1824, the land that Sheridan currently occupies was the site of a Quapaw reservation. After the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the Quapaw were removed from the land and pushed further west. By 1833 most of the natives had been moved westward and the land was ceded to the United States.[6]
Eponym
Sheridan was named after Lieutenant-General Philip Sheridan, who served as the 8th Commanding General of the United States Army from 1883 to 1888.[3]
Settlement through the Gilded Age
The first white settler was Dr. Richard C. Rhodes, a native of North Carolina.[3]
At the beginning of the 20th century, a railroad passed through Sheridan south into Dallas County. The railroad, owned by E. S. McCarty, carried freight and passengers for hire.[7]
From 1917 to 1934, Missionary Baptist College operated in Sheridan. The college suffered from financial troubles due to the Great Depression. The college provided local residents with courses, not only in theology, but in Latin, Greek, physiology, ecclesiology, and expression. A 1920 bulletin issued by the college wrote that its goal was "to teach and emphasize the very principles for which the real Baptists of Arkansas stand and for which true Baptists have stood for almost nineteen centuries . . . this is no preacher manufacturing establishment [that] the Lord alone has the prerogative of calling men to preach the gospel."[8] The revamped Missionary Baptist Seminary[9] thereafter opened in Little Rock.
Mid-twentieth century
In 1943, Jewell Williams, a
The "Mighty 1090" KAAY radio station sponsored the Rebel Springs Rock Festival of 1973 5 miles (8 km) east of Sheridan on Highway 270 that included ZZ Top as a headliner. Tickets were $4 before the show and lasted three days, July 4–6, 1973. The National Guard was sent out to maintain "peace". Local property owners attempted to get a court-ordered injunction to halt the festival from talking place, on the legal theory of nuisance, but to no avail.[11]
In 1954, Sheridan's school board voted to comply with the Supreme Court's decision in Brown vs Board of Education. Sheridan had operated an elementary school for Black children and bused its Black high school students to schools in other counties The protests were so severe that the school board reversed itself the following night. Then, local sawmill owner Jack Williams told his Black employees that they could accept his offer to buy out their homes and give them to the employees, and all move 25 miles west to the town of Malvern. Black residents had no choice, for Williams told them that "if a family refused to move, he would evict them and burn down their home."[12] This left Sheridan as a sundown town, and instead of becoming "one of the most racially progressive towns in Arkansas if its initial school board decision had stood, instead became one of its most backward." Loewen's research describes the fact that "no Sheridan resident lifted a voice to protest the forced buyout of its black community" and a "reputation for bigotry when their high school played interracial teams in athletic contests."[12]
Geography
Climate
Climate data for Sheridan, Arkansas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1977–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 80 (27) |
86 (30) |
91 (33) |
96 (36) |
97 (36) |
104 (40) |
108 (42) |
107 (42) |
108 (42) |
97 (36) |
86 (30) |
79 (26) |
108 (42) |
Mean maximum °F (°C) | 71.2 (21.8) |
75.4 (24.1) |
82.7 (28.2) |
87.3 (30.7) |
91.1 (32.8) |
95.5 (35.3) |
99.5 (37.5) |
100.0 (37.8) |
95.8 (35.4) |
89.4 (31.9) |
79.4 (26.3) |
72.8 (22.7) |
101.0 (38.3) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 51.3 (10.7) |
56.5 (13.6) |
65.2 (18.4) |
74.1 (23.4) |
81.2 (27.3) |
88.4 (31.3) |
92.0 (33.3) |
91.5 (33.1) |
85.7 (29.8) |
75.0 (23.9) |
62.7 (17.1) |
53.5 (11.9) |
73.1 (22.8) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 40.2 (4.6) |
44.5 (6.9) |
52.3 (11.3) |
61.0 (16.1) |
69.6 (20.9) |
77.4 (25.2) |
81.0 (27.2) |
80.2 (26.8) |
73.6 (23.1) |
61.9 (16.6) |
50.5 (10.3) |
42.8 (6.0) |
61.2 (16.2) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 29.2 (−1.6) |
32.5 (0.3) |
39.4 (4.1) |
47.8 (8.8) |
58.0 (14.4) |
66.5 (19.2) |
70.0 (21.1) |
68.8 (20.4) |
61.5 (16.4) |
48.8 (9.3) |
38.4 (3.6) |
32.1 (0.1) |
49.4 (9.7) |
Mean minimum °F (°C) | 14.9 (−9.5) |
19.4 (−7.0) |
24.1 (−4.4) |
33.3 (0.7) |
44.5 (6.9) |
57.1 (13.9) |
63.3 (17.4) |
61.4 (16.3) |
47.9 (8.8) |
33.7 (0.9) |
23.7 (−4.6) |
19.1 (−7.2) |
13.1 (−10.5) |
Record low °F (°C) | −3 (−19) |
0 (−18) |
13 (−11) |
26 (−3) |
34 (1) |
45 (7) |
55 (13) |
48 (9) |
37 (3) |
25 (−4) |
14 (−10) |
−8 (−22) |
−8 (−22) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 4.05 (103) |
4.32 (110) |
5.61 (142) |
5.94 (151) |
5.71 (145) |
4.17 (106) |
4.30 (109) |
2.88 (73) |
3.57 (91) |
4.56 (116) |
4.61 (117) |
5.49 (139) |
55.21 (1,402) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 1.2 (3.0) |
0.9 (2.3) |
0.4 (1.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
2.5 (6.4) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 7.6 | 7.4 | 8.4 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 6.6 | 6.9 | 5.2 | 5.1 | 6.0 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 82.8 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.2 |
Source: NOAA[13][14] |
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 42 | — | |
1890 | 184 | 338.1% | |
1900 | 210 | 14.1% | |
1910 | 481 | 129.0% | |
1920 | 695 | 44.5% | |
1930 | 1,590 | 128.8% | |
1940 | 1,338 | −15.8% | |
1950 | 1,893 | 41.5% | |
1960 | 1,938 | 2.4% | |
1970 | 2,480 | 28.0% | |
1980 | 3,042 | 22.7% | |
1990 | 3,098 | 1.8% | |
2000 | 3,872 | 25.0% | |
2010 | 4,603 | 18.9% | |
2020 | 4,920 | 6.9% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[15] |
Sheridan is part of the
2020 census
Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic)
|
4,323 | 87.87% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)
|
157 | 3.19% |
Native American
|
25 | 0.51% |
Asian
|
48 | 0.98% |
Pacific Islander
|
1 | 0.02% |
Other/Mixed
|
228 | 4.63% |
Latino
|
138 | 2.8% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,920 people, 1,884 households, and 1,235 families residing in the city.
2010 census
As of the
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.6 years. The gender makeup of the city was 49.6% male and 50.4% female.
The median income for a household in the city was $57,305, and the median income for a family was $64,123. Males had a median income of $46,438 versus $31,580 for females. The
2000 census
As of the
In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,207, and the median income for a family was $43,953. Males had a median income of $32,216 versus $22,891 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,184. About 7.0% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.
Education
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Administration_Building%2C_Sheridan%2C_Arkansas.jpg/220px-Administration_Building%2C_Sheridan%2C_Arkansas.jpg)
Sheridan is provided public education from the Sheridan School District, including the Sheridan High School.
Sheridan had a
Next, Jack Williams, the largest employer of African-Americans in the area, told Black families that they could accept his offer to buyout their homes and move them, or he would burn their houses down.[12] After the departure of the last African-American student from the city limits, the city bulldozed the African-American school; the remnants of the school were buried and the city no longer had a duty to integrate their schools.[20] This incident is recounted by former resident James Seawood on storycorps.[21]
In March 2014, Sheridan High School principal Rodney Williams ordered the removal of student profiles from the student yearbook, rather than publish one of an openly gay student. In response, a human rights organization held a rally on the State Capitol steps, and the principal received a petition with 30,000 signatures asking Williams to reverse the decision.[22]
Arts and culture
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Grant_County_Courthouse%2C_Sheridan%2C_Arkansas.jpg/220px-Grant_County_Courthouse%2C_Sheridan%2C_Arkansas.jpg)
Sheridan hosts an annual event based on the area's deep roots in the timber industry called Timberfest,[23] which includes a lumberjack competition and live music around the courthouse square. The White River Kid, starring Antonio Banderas and Randy Travis, was filmed during a mock Timberfest during the summer of 1998, with many of the local residents appearing as extras.[24][25]
Tourism
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Grant_County_Library_001.jpg/220px-Grant_County_Library_001.jpg)
The
Media
Bales and Cleveland started the first newspaper in the Grant County area, titled The Sheridan Spy. The first issue was dated September 1, 1881. In 1882, the Hon. J.S. Williams, who a year later became a state senator, bought the Sheridan Spy and renamed it The Sheridan Headlight, which is still published today. The short lived Grant County News was started in 1916 by William GoForth.[26]
Utilities
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/Sheridan_Waterworks_001.jpg/220px-Sheridan_Waterworks_001.jpg)
Sheridan's water system began when a private entity began installing water lines in the 1930s. This system was eventually purchased by the city, which now allows the Sheridan Water and Sewer Department to operate the system independently of city funds.
Notable people
- Ken Bragg, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from Sheridan since 2013
- Buck Fausett, Major League Baseball player
- David Delano Glover, representative for Arkansas's 6th congressional districtfrom 1929 to 1935
- Ray Hamilton, football player in the National Football League
- John Little McClellan, lawyer and politician, representative and senator for Arkansas
- Earl Smith, baseball player who played for Giants and Pirates.
- Eddie Joe Williams, State Senate Majority Leader, formerly mayor of Cabot, Arkansas
See also
- List of cities and towns in Arkansas
- List of places named after people in the United States
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Grant County, Arkansas
References
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Sheridan, Arkansas
- ^ Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Sheridan city, Arkansas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved November 10, 2016.[dead link]
- ^ "Sheridan (Grant County) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas". www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
- ^ McCarty v. Nelson, 195 S.W. 689, 691 (Ark. 1917).
- ^ Goolsby, Elwin (April 1991). "The Rise and Fall of the Missionary Baptist College". Grassroots - Journal of the Grant County Museum. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
- ^ "Welcome to Missionary Baptist Seminary". Missionary Baptist Seminary. Archived from the original on September 16, 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
- ^ "Berry v. Hope". Arkansas Supreme Court. Archived from the original on November 11, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2012.
- ^ "The Mighty 1090 KAAY: Rebel Springs Rock Festival '73". August 13, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-62097-454-4.
- ^ "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ Kirk, John A. (2011). "Not Quite Black and White: School Desegregation in Arkansas, 1954-1966". The Arkansas Historical Quarterly (70): 225–257.
- National Public Radio. Retrieved on February 24, 2009.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "School's Out". YouTube.
- ^ Sanchez, Ray (March 19, 2014). "Gay Arkansas student says his profile was pulled from yearbook". CNN. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
- ^ "Timberfest - Encyclopedia of Arkansas". Retrieved February 24, 2017.
- ^ "The White River Kid Movie". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
- ^ "The White River Kid". November 12, 1999. Retrieved February 24, 2017 – via IMDb.
- ^ Allsopp, Frederick W. (1922). History of the Arkansas Press for a Hundred Years and More. Little Rock, Arkansas: Parke-Harper.
- ^ "Sheridan Wastewater Treatment Facility" (PDF). NPDES Permit AR0034347. Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
Further reading
- Brooks, Steve B. (August 2018). "B-17 Memorial Park 'a place of joy'" (PDF). Honor & Remembrance. The American Legion Magazine. Vol. 185, no. 2. Indianapolis, Ind.: ISSN 0886-1234.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official website
Geographic data related to Sheridan, Arkansas at OpenStreetMap
- Sheridan, Arkansas at Ballotpedia