Prescott, Arkansas

The city of Prescott was not platted until 1873 during Reconstruction. It was to be a station stop for the Cairo & Fulton Railroad then under construction.{{cite web|url=http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2422|title=Cairo and Fulton Railroad - Encyclopedia of Arkansas|publisher=encyclopediaofarkansas.net|access-date=November 15, 2014}} The railroad was constructed parallel to the Southwest Trail{{cite web|url=http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2305|title=Southwest Trail - Encyclopedia of Arkansas|publisher=encyclopediaofarkansas.net|access-date=November 15, 2014}} through northern Nevada County. Prescott was incorporated on October 6, 1874.

The original town site consisted of 48 blocks, 24 on each side of the railroad. The streets were platted in a grid pattern from the railroad line. Streets running east–west use the railroad as a dividing line between their eastern and western halves, and streets running north–south use Main Street as a dividing line between their northern and southern halves.

Prescott grew quickly because the railroad provided a reliable way to transport local products to larger markets. The first post office opened in November 1873, and the first newspaper, The Banner, was established in 1875. The Nevada County seat was moved to Prescott in 1877, which contributed to the town's commercial importance. It became a center of law and government in the county. By the late 1890s, Prescott had its own telephone system and water and light plant.

The timber industry became important to the region's early economy when in 1890, James H. Bemis & Benjamin Whitaker built the Ozan Lumber Company plant in Prescott. That same year, Dr. R. L. Powers began constructing the Prescott & Northwestern Railroad. It transported lumber, peaches, cotton and other products. It also provided passenger service, connecting adjacent communities to the Missouri Pacific Railroad Depot in Prescott.

Historians have speculated on the naming of Prescott:{{cite web|url=http://www.depotmuseum.org/articles.php?article=44|title=Welcome to Nevada County Depot and Museum|publisher=depotmuseum.org|access-date=November 15, 2014}} whether it was named after William Hickling Prescott, of Salem, Massachusetts, who was a friend of Cairo & Fulton Railroad officials Thomas Allen and Henry Marquand, or where it was named after the County Surveyor, W. H. Prescott.{{Cite web |title=Resources - Nevada County Depot and Museum |url=https://www.depotmuseum.org/resources.php?ref=6 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |website=www.depotmuseum.org}}

Prescott is located on south-southwest section of Prairie D'Âne. The large open prairie was named by French colonists and is located in the Arkansas Timberlands region of the Ark-La-Tex. Prescott is situated in the Gulf Coastal Plain, near the Little Missouri River. This waterway provides Prescott with drinking water and recreational opportunities.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|6.5|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|6.5|sqmi|km2}} is land and 0.15% is water.

The climate in Prescott is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Prescott has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=809530&cityname=Prescott%2C+Arkansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Prescott, Arkansas Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|work=Weatherbase}}

{{Weather box

| location = Prescott, AR

| single line = Y

| Jan high F = 51

| Feb high F = 58

| Mar high F = 67

| Apr high F = 75

| May high F = 82

| Jun high F = 88

| Jul high F = 92

| Aug high F = 92

| Sep high F = 85

| Oct high F = 76

| Nov high F = 63

| Dec high F = 54

| year high F = 73.58

| Jan low F = 30

| Feb low F = 34

| Mar low F = 42

| Apr low F = 49

| May low F = 59

| Jun low F = 67

| Jul low F = 70

| Aug low F = 69

| Sep low F = 63

| Oct low F = 51

| Nov low F = 40

| Dec low F = 33

| year low F = 50.58

| Jan record high F = 83

| Feb record high F = 88

| Mar record high F = 93

| Apr record high F = 94

| May record high F = 100

| Jun record high F = 108

| Jul record high F = 112

| Aug record high F = 112

| Sep record high F = 110

| Oct record high F = 102

| Nov record high F = 87

| Dec record high F = 81

| year record high F = 97.50

| Jan record low F = -4

| Feb record low F = -1

| Mar record low F = 11

| Apr record low F = 28

| May record low F = 36

| Jun record low F = 50

| Jul record low F = 55

| Aug record low F = 52

| Sep record low F = 36

| Oct record low F = 27

| Nov record low F = 13

| Dec record low F = 0

| year record low F = 25.25

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 4.24

| Feb precipitation inch = 4.05

| Mar precipitation inch = 5.04

| Apr precipitation inch = 4.97

| May precipitation inch = 5.15

| Jun precipitation inch = 4.69

| Jul precipitation inch = 4.27

| Aug precipitation inch = 3.13

| Sep precipitation inch = 4.34

| Oct precipitation inch = 5.00

| Nov precipitation inch = 5.90

| Dec precipitation inch = 5.55

| Jan snow inch = 2.30

| Feb snow inch = 1.70

| Mar snow inch = 0.30

| Apr snow inch = 0

| May snow inch = 0

| Jun snow inch = 0

| Jul snow inch = 0

| Aug snow inch = 0

| Sep snow inch = 0

| Oct snow inch = 0

| Nov snow inch = 0

| Dec snow inch = 1.00

| source 1 = intellicast.com{{cite web

|url=http://www.intellicast.com/Local/History.aspx?location=USAR0470 |title =Monthly Averages for Prescott Arkansas |access-date=August 1, 2023|work=intellicast.com}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1880= 1253

|1890= 1287

|1900= 2005

|1910= 2705

|1920= 2691

|1930= 3033

|1940= 3177

|1950= 3960

|1960= 3533

|1970= 3921

|1980= 4103

|1990= 3673

|2000= 3686

|2010= 3296

|2020= 3101

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

}}

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,101 people, 1,212 households, and 804 families residing in the city.

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}} of 2000, there were 3,686 people, 1,421 households, and 912 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|564.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,643 housing units at an average density of {{convert|251.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 53.31% White, 44.49% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 1.17% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 1.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,421 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples living together, 19.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,612, and the median income for a family was $28,665. Males had a median income of $27,384 versus $17,289 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,515. About 27.5% of families and 32.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.7% of those under age 18 and 39.6% of those age 65 or over.

The Fall Festival and Trade Days showcases games, activities and numerous entertainment and sports events. These include a 5K run/walk, arts & crafts booths, a BQ cook-off, balloon liftoff, beauty pageant, bunco tournament, co-ed softball tournament, dessert contest, dunking booth, face painting, food vendors, a great pumpkin treasure hunt, pet costume contest, pie eating contest, sidewalk sales, and the Tyson/Calvin Brown basketball tournament.{{cite web|url=http://www.pnpartnership.org/index.php/chamber-of-commerce/fall-festival|title=Fall Festival and Trade Days|work=Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development and Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce - PNPartnership.org}}{{cite web|url=http://www.arkansas.com/events/details.aspx?id=105332|title=Fall Festival and Trade Days|work=Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism - Arkansas.com}}

The Prescott/Nevada County Library was completed on November 4, 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.pcfa.org/index.php/ref/17202|title=New Library Open for Business on Nov. 4|author=John Miller |work= Nevada County Picayune}} It is located in downtown Prescott, and is administered by the Southwest Arkansas Regional Library System.{{cite web|url=http://www.library.arkansas.gov/Pages/facilityDetails.aspx?show=181|title=Facility Details|work=Arkansas State Library - Library.Arkansas.gov}}{{cite web|url=https://nevadacountylibrary.wordpress.com|title=Welcome to the Prescott/Nevada County Library and Educational Facility|work=Prescott/Nevada County Library |publisher=Nevada County Library blog}}{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/ncpublibrary/home|title=NCPubLibrary|work=Nevada County Public Library - Sites.Google.com}}

The Nevada County Depot & Museum is the depot building was designed by Missouri Pacific Railroad architect E. M. Tucker,{{cite book|title=Who's who in Railroading in North America|date=1922|issue=8|publisher=Simmons-Boardman|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B4DXAAAAMAAJ|page=629|access-date=November 15, 2014}} who also designed railway stations in Little Rock and Texarkana. It was constructed in 1912 and houses permanent exhibits on the Civil War Battles, Railroads, and general history of Prescott and Nevada County. The museum also houses an area archive that is open to researchers.

Prescott's public school system was founded in 1877. Public education for elementary and secondary school students is provided by the Prescott School District, which leads to graduation from Prescott High School. As of the 2015–2016 school year, the district serves more than 1,000 students and employs more than 175 faculty and staff.

Prescott School District includes the following three school facilities:

• Prescott High School, serving students in grades 9 through 12.
• Prescott Junior High School, serving students in grades 5 and 8.
• Prescott Elementary School, serving students in prekindergarten through grade 4.

• Kizer Field, [https://web.archive.org/web/20150126220853/http://www.fly.arkansas.gov/Airports/Prescott.htm (4F7)] on the eastern edge of the city.

• Missouri Pacific Railroad
• Prescott & Northwestern Railroad

• 20px Interstate 30
• 20px U.S. Highway 67
• 25px U.S. Highway 371
• 25px Arkansas Highway 332
• 20px Arkansas Highway 24
• 20px Arkansas Highway 19

• 1370 AM [http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?list=0&facid=48745 KTPA] – "The talk of South Arkansas."{{cite web|url=https://www.streamingthe.net/KTPA-1370-AM-Prescott-AR/p/39830|title=KPTA 1370 AM Prescott AR Live streaming from USA|access-date=August 1, 2023}}
• Social Media-News
• SWARK.Today (Southwest Arkansas), Hope-Prescott

• Kirby Allan (Pittman), born 1928, in Prescott, record producer.
• Frederick W. Allsopp - author. Allsopp Park, in Little Rock, was named in his honor.{{cite web|url=https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=au%3AAllsopp%2C+Fred+W.&qt=results_page|title=Results for 'Allsopp, Fred W.'|work=OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. - WorldCat.org}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uRCLFU_855UC&q=allsopp+park&pg=PA67|title=Historic Little Rock: An Illustrated History|work=C. Fred Williams - p. 67|isbn=9781893619821|first=Fred C.|last=Williams|year=2008|publisher=HPN Books }}
• Grady Gammage - (born 1892, Prescott) - Arizonan educator, president of Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University. Gammage Auditorium in Tempe, Arizona was named in his honor.
• Walt Goldsby - MLB outfielder, St. Louis Browns, Washington Nationals, Richmond Virginians, Baltimore Orioles.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/goldswa02.shtml|title=Walt Goldsby - Statistics and History|publisher=Sports Reference LLC - Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=November 15, 2014}}
• Oren Harris - US Representative and United States District Court judge.
• Jerry Louis Latin - (born 1953, Prescott) - NFL running back, St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Rams.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LatiJe00.htm|title=Jerry Latin|work=Sports Reference LLC - Pro-Football-Reference.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1975/draft.htm|title=1975 NFL Draft|work=Sports Reference LLC - Pro-Football-Reference.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/lati00600.html|title=Jerry Latin|work=The Pro Football Archives - Maher Sports Media - ProFootballArchives.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131163922/http://www.profootballarchives.com/lati00600.html|archive-date=January 31, 2016}}
• Ira E. McMillian - (born 1908, Prescott) - U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and Navy Cross recipient.
• Thomas Chipman McRae - Arkansas Representative, Governor, US Representative, US Congress.
• Jim Moore (baseball) - (born 1903, Prescott) - MLB pitcher, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mooreji01.shtml|title=Jim Moore Statistics and History|work=Sports Reference LLC - Baseball-Reference.com}}
• John C. Munn - (born 1906, Prescott) - Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.
• Anita Pointer - entertainer, The Pointer Sisters.{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=4022|title=Anita Pointer (1948–)|encyclopedia=Paul Ciulla, - EncyclopediaOfArkansas.net}}
• Charles Randolph Prim - (born 1896, Prescott) - NLB pitcher, Kansas City Monarchs.{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://arkbaseball.com/tiki-index.php?page=Randolph+Prim|title=Randolph Prim|encyclopedia=Arkansas Baseball Encyclopedia - ArkBaseball.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=prim--000cha|title=Charles Prim - Negro League Statistics & History|work=Sports Reference LLC - Baseball-Reference.com}}
• Floyd Robinson - (born 1936, Prescott) - MLB outfielder, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, and Boston Red Sox.{{cite book |editor= Reichler, Joseph L. |title= The Baseball Encyclopedia |orig-year= 1969 |edition= 4th |year= 1979 |publisher= Macmillan Publishing |location= New York |isbn= 0-02-578970-8 |url-access= registration |url= https://archive.org/details/baseballencyclop00reic }}
• Mike Ross (politician) - Arkansas Senate, US Representative and Democratic nominee for governor in 2014. (Arkansas's 4th congressional district)
• John Shackelford - NLB outfielder, Cleveland Browns, Harrisburg Giants, Chicago American Giants, and Birmingham Black Barons.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/nlb/player.cgi?id=shackl000joh|title=John Shackleford, Negro League Statistics & History|work=Sports Reference LLC - Baseball-Reference.com}}
• Paul Silas - (born 1943, Prescott) - NBA player and head coach.
• Ulysses "Slow Kid" Thompson - (born 1888, Prescott) - Vaudeville entertainer and promoter.{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.music.tdabio.179/default.html|title=Ulysses "Slow Kid" Thompson [biography]|encyclopedia=Library of Congress Performing Arts Encyclopedia - Memory.loc.gov}}
• Chuck Tompkins - (born 1889, Prescott) - MLB pitcher, Cincinnati Reds.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tompkch01.shtml|title=Chuck Tompkins, Statistics and History|work=Sports Reference LLC - Baseball-Reference.com}}
• Daniel Eugene "Danny" Walters - (born 1960, Prescott) - NFL cornerback, San Diego Chargers.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WaltDa22.htm|title=Danny Walters|work=Sports Reference LLC - Pro-Football-Reference.com}}

• Carolina Methodist Church - (Private) A one-story wood frame rectangular ecclesiastical building that is an excellent example of early vernacular Greek Revival style architecture.
• De Ann Cemetery - Final resting place for early settlers of Prescott and Nevada County.
• Elkin's Ferry Battleground - National Historic Landmark of the Civil War.
• Moscow Methodist Church and Cemetery - (Private) Original area of local settlement and commerce prior to construction of the Cairo and Fulton Railroad.
• Historic Washington State Park - Located 25 miles southwest of Prescott, the park offers visitors guided tours which interpret the history of this pioneer settlement, originally located on the Southwest Trail. The park hosts Civil War reenactments, the annual Jonquil Festival, and a Christmas Festival.
• Prairie D'Ane Battlefield - National Historic Landmark of the Civil War.
• Prescott Commercial Historic District - Downtown Area of unique Architecture and Commerce.
• [http://www.prescottraceway.net/ Prescott Raceway] – Offers 1/4-mile drag racing.
• [http://www.prescottar.com/index.php/economic-development/beautification Sterling Square Park] – Includes brick sidewalks with memorial pavers, benches, and a fountain. A mural illustrates historic scenes from the area.
• White Oak Lake State Park and Poison Springs Battleground State Park - Located 22 miles east of Prescott, the parks include campsites, pavilions, picnic sites, trails, playgrounds, and a visitor center with exhibits and interactive programs. The parks are an interpretation gateway to the Camden Expedition, and the Red River Campaign.

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.prescottar.com Prescott Arkansas Web Page]
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Nevada County, Arkansas

{{Nevada County, Arkansas}}

{{Arkansas county seats}}

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Category:Cities in Nevada County, Arkansas

Category:Cities in Arkansas

Category:County seats in Arkansas

Category:Hope micropolitan area

Category:Populated places established in 1873

Category:1873 establishments in Arkansas