Smackover, AR

This is probably the oldest remaining traffic signal left in Arkansas and or the south.


Smackover is a city in Union County, Arkansas. According to the 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city stands at 1,929. The Census Bureau placed the 2010 population at 1,865.

The name Smackover comes from an anglicization of the French "Sumac Couvert" which translates to "covered in sumac". Smackover was incorporated in 1922.

Geography

Smackover is also an important town in South Arkansas.

History

In the 1920's there was a large scale oil industry in Smackover.

Education

Public education for early childhood, elementary and secondary school students is primarily provided by the Smackover School District, which includes:

• Smackover Elementary School, serving prekindergarten through grade 6.
• Smackover High School, serving grades 7 through 12.

The district's and schools' mascot and athletic emblem is the Battlin' Buckaroos with black and white serving as the school colors.

Culture

Smackover is home to the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources. The Museum depicts the history and culture of Smackover and the surrounding area with an indoor reconstruction of downtown Smackover, an Oil Field Park, and numerous exhibits illustrating South Arkansas's oil industry. Smackover hosts an annual four-day Oil Town Festival held in June.

Smackover was home to a rough-and-tumble oil boom camp. It began in February 1923 when a Tonkawa man leased 1,000 feet of farmland. In June 1923 there was a huge flood, which covered the main street with 10 feet of water. Most of the inhabitants moved away permanently and no trace of the settlement remains today. With the addition of longtime college coaching legend Wayne Hardin to the NFF College Hall of Fame in 2013, Smackover may lead the lead in percentage of former residents enshrined in the Hall. It now can boast of two natives in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Notable residents

• Sleepy LaBeef, roots musician
• Clyde Scott born in Smackover went to the NFL and played football for the Detroit Lions and is in the NFF College Hall of Fame.
• Wayne Hardin born in Smackover, played football at Pacific, legendary college coach and member of NFF College Hall of Fame.
• Nathan Fletcher, California Politician, raised in Smackover. 1995 graduate of Smackover High School.

External Links

Union County
sumac
Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources
Battlin' Buckaroos
Smackover High School 
Smackover School District 
 
Source: Internet