Dardanelle, Arkansas
Encyclopedia
Dardanelle is a city in Yell County, Arkansas
, United States. The population was 4,228 at the 2000 census
. Along with Danville
, it is one of two county seat
s for Yell County. It is located near Lake Dardanelle.
Dardanelle is part of the Russellville
Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 4,228 people, 1,605 households, and 1,078 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,382.0 people per square mile (533.5/km²). There were 1,747 housing units at an average density of 571.0 per square mile (220.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.24% White
, 4.64% Black
or African American
, 0.54% Native American
, 0.43% Asian
, 0.09% Pacific Islander
, 16.65% from other races
, and 2.41% from two or more races. 21.48% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,727, and the median income for a family was $30,457. Males had a median income of $21,138 versus $17,370 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,583. About 14.9% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.
According to Dardanelle city Census 2010 results, the population of the area was approximately 4,745 people. From 2000 to 2010, the Dardanelle city population growth percentage was 12.2% (or from 4,228 people to 4,745 people). 28.7% of the Dardanelle city residents were under 18 years of age. Census 2010 race data for Dardanelle city include the racial breakdown percentages of 3.6% black, 0.5% Asian and 36.1% Hispanic. Also, there were 1,877 housing units in Dardanelle city, 89.5% of which were occupied housing units
There were 1,605 households out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.12.
The Treaty of Council Oaks was signed on June 24, 1823 on what is now Front Street beneath two huge, old oak trees (102 feet high and 400–500 years old). Under orders of President James Monroe, U.S. Army Colonel David Brearly and Arkansas territorial secretary Robert Crittendon met with Chief Black Fox and several Cherokee leaders to determine boundaries. As a result of the treaty, the Cherokees gave up all of their land in Arkansas south of the Arkansas River. One of the two trees was destroyed in the early 1990s in a flood, but the other is still standing tall. The site is now a city park.
Due to its location on the banks of the Arkansas River, Dardanelle was one of Arkansas's leading towns in the 19th century. Hundreds of barges, boats, and other vessels traveled by the town annually. Approximately halfway between the state's two largest cities of Little Rock
and Fort Smith
, Dardanelle was a transportation and business hub.
Dardanelle has a history of being one of the state's leading immigration centers that continues to this day. Vast numbers of Czech and German families, including Ballouns, Vodrazkas, Staneks, and Pfeiffers, came to the town in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and their impact can still be felt today. Currently, Dardanelle has one of the highest percentage of Hispanics in the state, with over 21% of the town's population being Hispanic.
Merritt Park opened in the late 1990s on the west side of town. It is a large, state-of-the-art park featuring outstanding baseball facilities, a playground, soccer fields, basketball courts, and a walking/jogging trail. The adjacent Dardanelle Community Center opened around the same time, and provides multiple services for the community.
Dardanelle's downtown area is currently under a drastic revitalization. After falling into decay for a number of years, Front Street on the River is once again a thriving place. Daly's Downtown (now Front Street Grill) and Savanah's have anchored this rejuvenation. The Bank of Dardanelle (now River Town Bank), which now has ten locations across the state, first opened on Front Street many years ago. The Dardanelle Post-Dispatch, the oldest weekly newspaper in the state, have their offices there. Millyn's and a number of other businesses can be found there, too. Beautiful views of the river, historic buildings, and a thriving restaurant scene makes Front Street one of the premier places to go in the Arkansas River Valley.
Other main commercial areas in the city include Union Street, Quay Street, and 2nd Street. A Wal-Mart Supercenter opened in October 2005, replacing the old Wal-Mart Express.
Dardanelle is well-known for its local restaurants. Daly's Downtown (now Front Street Grill), and Savannah's can be found on Front Street. Catfish 'N was ranked by "USA Today
" as one of the best restaurants in America. Dari Delite is a favorite hangout among the teenage crowd. A plethora of Mexican restaurants, such as Tarasco's Mexican Restaurant, El Parian and Casa de Sol can be found, showcasing the city's vibrant Hispanic culture.
In the late 19th century, a pontoon bridge between Dardanelle and Russellville replaced ferry service. Spanning 2,208 feet, it was the longest pontoon bridge ever constructed across a moving body of water. The bridge was completely washed out four times in its 30 years of existence.
The Dardanelle Lock & Dam, constructed in the 1960s as a part of the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System, led to the formation of Lake Dardanelle and helps regulate river traffic on the Arkansas River.
The Dardanelle and Russellville Railroad
, or "D&R" as it is known locally, is one of few remaining short-line railroads in the state. It connects Dardanelle with its larger neighbor on the north bank of the river.
Highways 7, 22, 27, and 28 can be found ending or going through Dardanelle. Dardanelle is halfway between the Buffalo River to the north and Hot Springs to the south on Scenic Byway 7.
Yell County, Arkansas
Yell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 22,185. The county has two county seats, Dardanelle and Danville...
, United States. The population was 4,228 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
. Along with Danville
Danville, Arkansas
Danville is a city in Yell County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,392 at the 2000 census. Along with Dardanelle, it is one of two county seats for Yell County.Danville is part of the Russellville Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, it is one of two county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
s for Yell County. It is located near Lake Dardanelle.
Dardanelle is part of the Russellville
Russellville, Arkansas
Russellville is the county seat and largest city in Pope County, Arkansas, United States, with a population of 27,920, according to the 2010 Census. It is home to Arkansas Tech University and Arkansas Nuclear One, Arkansas' only nuclear power plant...
Micropolitan Statistical Area
Russellville micropolitan area
The Russellville Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in the U.S...
.
Geography
Dardanelle is located at 35°13′21"N 93°9′37"W (35.222539, -93.160408).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 3.1 square miles (8 km²), all land.
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 4,228 people, 1,605 households, and 1,078 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 1,382.0 people per square mile (533.5/km²). There were 1,747 housing units at an average density of 571.0 per square mile (220.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.24% 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...
, 4.64% 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...
, 0.54% Native 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...
, 0.43% Asian
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...
, 0.09% Pacific Islander
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...
, 16.65% from other races
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 2.41% from two or more races. 21.48% of the population were Hispanic
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 Latino
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...
of any race.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,727, and the median income for a family was $30,457. Males had a median income of $21,138 versus $17,370 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 $14,583. About 14.9% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.
According to Dardanelle city Census 2010 results, the population of the area was approximately 4,745 people. From 2000 to 2010, the Dardanelle city population growth percentage was 12.2% (or from 4,228 people to 4,745 people). 28.7% of the Dardanelle city residents were under 18 years of age. Census 2010 race data for Dardanelle city include the racial breakdown percentages of 3.6% black, 0.5% Asian and 36.1% Hispanic. Also, there were 1,877 housing units in Dardanelle city, 89.5% of which were occupied housing units
There were 1,605 households out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.12.
History
Dardanelle is one of the oldest cities in the state of Arkansas. Officially incorporated in 1855, Dardanelle celebrated its 150th Anniversary in 2005. However, the area had been settled for years before that, first being established as a river town in the mid-18th Century. It is Yell County's dual county seat, sharing that title with Danville.The Treaty of Council Oaks was signed on June 24, 1823 on what is now Front Street beneath two huge, old oak trees (102 feet high and 400–500 years old). Under orders of President James Monroe, U.S. Army Colonel David Brearly and Arkansas territorial secretary Robert Crittendon met with Chief Black Fox and several Cherokee leaders to determine boundaries. As a result of the treaty, the Cherokees gave up all of their land in Arkansas south of the Arkansas River. One of the two trees was destroyed in the early 1990s in a flood, but the other is still standing tall. The site is now a city park.
Due to its location on the banks of the Arkansas River, Dardanelle was one of Arkansas's leading towns in the 19th century. Hundreds of barges, boats, and other vessels traveled by the town annually. Approximately halfway between the state's two largest cities 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...
and Fort Smith
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Fort Smith is the second-largest city in Arkansas and one of the two county seats of Sebastian County. With a population of 86,209 in 2010, it is the principal city of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area, a region of 298,592 residents which encompasses the Arkansas...
, Dardanelle was a transportation and business hub.
Dardanelle has a history of being one of the state's leading immigration centers that continues to this day. Vast numbers of Czech and German families, including Ballouns, Vodrazkas, Staneks, and Pfeiffers, came to the town in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and their impact can still be felt today. Currently, Dardanelle has one of the highest percentage of Hispanics in the state, with over 21% of the town's population being Hispanic.
Merritt Park opened in the late 1990s on the west side of town. It is a large, state-of-the-art park featuring outstanding baseball facilities, a playground, soccer fields, basketball courts, and a walking/jogging trail. The adjacent Dardanelle Community Center opened around the same time, and provides multiple services for the community.
Dardanelle's downtown area is currently under a drastic revitalization. After falling into decay for a number of years, Front Street on the River is once again a thriving place. Daly's Downtown (now Front Street Grill) and Savanah's have anchored this rejuvenation. The Bank of Dardanelle (now River Town Bank), which now has ten locations across the state, first opened on Front Street many years ago. The Dardanelle Post-Dispatch, the oldest weekly newspaper in the state, have their offices there. Millyn's and a number of other businesses can be found there, too. Beautiful views of the river, historic buildings, and a thriving restaurant scene makes Front Street one of the premier places to go in the Arkansas River Valley.
Other main commercial areas in the city include Union Street, Quay Street, and 2nd Street. A Wal-Mart Supercenter opened in October 2005, replacing the old Wal-Mart Express.
Dardanelle is well-known for its local restaurants. Daly's Downtown (now Front Street Grill), and Savannah's can be found on Front Street. Catfish 'N was ranked by "USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
" as one of the best restaurants in America. Dari Delite is a favorite hangout among the teenage crowd. A plethora of Mexican restaurants, such as Tarasco's Mexican Restaurant, El Parian and Casa de Sol can be found, showcasing the city's vibrant Hispanic culture.
Transportation
Though Dardanelle is no longer one of Arkansas's largest cities, it still plays a prominent role in state affairs. The Port of Dardanelle is one of the busiest in Arkansas.In the late 19th century, a pontoon bridge between Dardanelle and Russellville replaced ferry service. Spanning 2,208 feet, it was the longest pontoon bridge ever constructed across a moving body of water. The bridge was completely washed out four times in its 30 years of existence.
The Dardanelle Lock & Dam, constructed in the 1960s as a part of the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System, led to the formation of Lake Dardanelle and helps regulate river traffic on the Arkansas River.
The Dardanelle and Russellville Railroad
Dardanelle and Russellville Railroad
The Dardanelle and Russellville Railroad Company is a Class III short-line railroad headquartered in Russellville, Arkansas.DR operates a 4.8 mile line in Arkansas from Russellville to a point beside the Arkansas River, across from Dardanelle, Arkansas. Current DR traffic generally consists of...
, or "D&R" as it is known locally, is one of few remaining short-line railroads in the state. It connects Dardanelle with its larger neighbor on the north bank of the river.
Highways 7, 22, 27, and 28 can be found ending or going through Dardanelle. Dardanelle is halfway between the Buffalo River to the north and Hot Springs to the south on Scenic Byway 7.
Attractions
A number of attractions can be found in Dardanelle or its surrounding area, including:- Lake Dardanelle
- Mount NeboMount Nebo (Arkansas)Located near Dardanelle, Arkansas and rising above the mountain valleys of west central Arkansas, Mount Nebo favors visitors with a spectacular view of Lake Dardanelle, the Arkansas River and the surrounding mountain ridges...
and Mount Nebo State Park - Holla Bend National Wildlife RefugeHolla Bend National Wildlife RefugeHolla Bend National Wildlife Refuge is a 6,486 acre wildlife refuge located 5 miles southeast from Dardanelle, Arkansas.The Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge is bounded on one side by the Arkansas River and on its other sides by an oxbow lake that was formerly the main channel of the Arkansas...
- The Lion's Den Golf Course
- The Yell County Courthouse (on the National Register of Historic Places)
- Dana Merritt Park
- Veterans' Memorial Riverfront Park
- Council Oaks Park and Historic Site
- Dardanelle Rock
Notable residents and trivia
- Jim R. Caldwell (born 1936), first RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
to serve in the Arkansas State Senate since Reconstruction, 1969–1978 - Pro golfer John DalyJohn Daly (golfer)John Patrick Daly is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour.Daly is known primarily for his driving distance off the tee , his non-country club appearance and attitude, and his rough-and-tumble personal life. Daly remains one of the most popular and intriguing figures on the PGA Tour...
lived in Dardanelle as a child; he currently owns a home near Dardanelle and owns the Lion's Den Golf Course. - The childhood home of the former director of FEMA, James Lee WittJames Lee WittJames Lee Witt was Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the administration of President Bill Clinton....
. - Dardanelle is mentioned in the famous 1921 blues song "Arkansas Blues" (written by Anton Lada and Spencer WilliamsSpencer WilliamsSpencer Williams was an American jazz and popular music composer, pianist, and singer. He is best known for his hit songs "Basin Street Blues", "I Ain't Got Nobody", "Royal Garden Blues", "I've Found a New Baby", "Everybody Loves My Baby", "Tishomingo Blues", "Careless Love", and many...
. - In the 1968 novel True GritTrue Grit (novel)True Grit is a 1968 novel by Charles Portis that was first published as a 1968 serial in The Saturday Evening Post. The novel is told from the perspective of a woman named Mattie Ross who recounts the time when she was 14 years old and sought retribution for the murder of her father by a scoundrel...
, by Charles Portis, the lead characterFictional characterA character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
Mattie Ross talks about being from a farm in Yell County, near Dardanelle. The novel has spawned two films of the same name, one released in 1969 and another in 2010True Grit (2010 film)True Grit is a 2010 American Western film written and directed by the Coen brothers. It is the second adaptation of Charles Portis' 1968 novel of the same name, which was previously filmed in 1969 starring John Wayne. This version stars Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross and Jeff Bridges as U.S....
. - Simon Sades, television preacher and charity worker.
- Rae Lynne Bailey
- Haley Deeds
- Alexis Newman