Local History Resources
Riley-Hickingbotham Library serves as a regional center for genealogy and local history
research. The Archives and Special Collections Department cares for manuscript collections,
publications, and other research materials focusing on Arkansas and Baptists, with
special emphasis on Clark County and southwest Arkansas.
Clark County, Arkansas: Past and Present
An example of the rich local history sources found among the Library’s holdings is a comprehensive 857-page county history published by the Clark County Historical Association, Clark County, Arkansas: Past and Present. This book chronicles Clark County’s history, preserving the stories of the events and people that shaped this area of Arkansas.
Clark County Chronicles
Brief overviews and photos on local history topics:
Clark County Historical Journal
Since 1973, the Clark County Historical Association has published an annual journal.
Each year’s volume contains a variety of articles covering a variety of time periods
and topics. The journal serves as a major source of information about Clark County
and its people.
CCHJ Tables of Contents: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978 (spring), 1978 (fall), 1979-1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Community Histories
Clark County is fortunate to have the history of many of its communities documented in a print format. Some are well-illustrated, comprehensive histories: others include articles extracted from local newspapers. Most are indexed.
The following volumes pertaining to Clark County communities are among those available for research in the Archives and Special Collections Department. Dates indicate the years covered by each volume.
- Amity, 1871-1911 | 1912-1958 | 1959-1977 | 1977-1980 | 1979-1985
- Amity, Collection of Memories, 1891-1991
- Free Hill, 1931-1937
- Fendley, 1904-1945
- Graysonia, 1908-1951
- Gurdon Centennial Album, 1880-1980
- Hollywood, 1869-1912
- Midway, 1930-1975
- Okolona, 1869-1930 | 1931-1936 | 1937-1939 | 1940-1941 | 1942
- Piney and Long Creek, 1880-1927 | 1928-1954
- Western Clark County (Brushy, Free Union, Lenox, Sodom), 1907-1972
- Whelen Springs Centennial Album, 1882-1982
Through the Eyes of Farrar Newberry
Through the Eyes of Farrar Newberry reproduces newspaper articles known to be written by local historian Farrar Newberry. Newberry’s writings appeared frequently in the Southern Standard and Siftings Herald between 1958 and 1967. These articles represent an excellent starting point for local history research in the Clark County area. A wealth of information is to be found among these pages, and much of the material records Newberry’s own recollections.
We Were There: Clark Countians in World War II
Men and women from Clark County participated in every area of conflict during World War II. We Were There attempts to provide information about this portion of our country’s “greatest generation.” From men in the military to families on the homefront, their service ranged from such mundane things as walking to work to conserve gasoline and rubber tires for the war effort to the supreme sacrifice—their lives. Published by the Clark County Historical Association in 1995, the volume includes hundreds of photographs and is indexed.
