Hempstead County, Arkansas

Hempstead County Education, Geography, and History

Hempstead County is a county located in the state of Arkansas. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 22,609. The county seat is Hope. Hempstead County is Arkansas's fourth county, formed on December 15, 1818, alongside Clark and Pulaski counties. The county is named for Edward Hempstead, a delegate to the US Congress from the Missouri Territory, which included present-day Arkansas at the time.

Etymology - Origin of Hempstead County Name

Hempstead county is named for Edward Hempstead, a delegate to the United States Congress from the Missouri Territory. Edward Hempstead (June 3, 1780 - August 10, 1817) was an American lawyer, pioneer, and one of the early settlers in the new Louisiana Purchase in 1805. Born in New London, Connecticut, Hempstead was the delegate in the US House for the Missouri Territory from 1812 to 1814.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts

Hempstead County History

Hempstead county was created in December 15, 1818, from parts of Arkansas County and was named after Edward Hempstead, Missouri Territory's representative to Congress. Hempstead County was one of the first counties organized under the laws of the Territory of Missouri. The economy is made up of food processing, poultry and egg production, along with beef cattle, soybeans and fruit. Each summer the Hope Watermelon Festival is held and draws not only local citizens but also hundreds of tourists. The county had two Wildlife Management Areas, Bois D'Arc and Hope, along with Millwood Lake, which features camping, picnicking, and swimming as well as hunting and fishing. The towns of Washington that includes the Old Washington State Park hold lots of history for the county. It was a stopover for Sam Houston and Davy Crockett on their way to Texas and the Alamo. A Washington Blacksmith made Jim Bowie's famous knife and such is still being crafted at the same site. The largest magnolia tree in Arkansas, planted in 1839, grows in Washington. Hope, the county seat is also the hometown of President William Jefferson Clinton where his boyhood home has been restored and is open to the public. Hundreds of visitors pass through this town each year. It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county.

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 741 square miles (1,920 km²), of which 728 square miles (1,890 km²) is land and 14 square miles (36 km²) (1.8%) is water. Hempstead County is alternately considered as part of the greater regions of South Arkansas or Southwest Arkansas.

The landscape is rolling hills.

Neighboring Counties

Bordering counties are as follows:

• North: Pike County
• East: Nevada County
• South: Lafayette County
• Southwest: Miller County
• West: Little River County
• Northwest: Sevier County; Howard County

Education

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