Conway Arkansas
Conway AR City Overview
Conway Arkansas Facts
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The city of Conway, AR was founded by A. P. Robinson, who came to Conway, Arkansas shortly after the Civil War. Robinson was the chief engineer for the Little Rock - Fort Smith Railroad (now the Union-Pacific). Part of his compensation was the deed to a tract of land, one mile square, located near the old settlement of Cadron. When the railroad came through, Robinson deeded a small tract of his land back to the railroad for a depot site. He laid off a town site around the depot and named it Conway Station, in honor of a famous Arkansas family.
Conway, AR was designated the county seat of Faulkner County in 1873, the same year that the county was created by the legislature. In October 1875, Conway was incorporated and, at that time had a population of approximately 200.
For many years, Conway Arkansas flourished as a trade center for a large rural agricultural area. Hendrix college was established in Conway AR in 1890. Three years later in 1893, Central College for Girls was established and Conway Arkansas was on its way to becoming an educational center. The University of Central Arkansas was founded in Conway AR in 1907 as the Arkansas Normal School. Conway's economy was firmly established upon agriculture and educational institutions until World War II.
After the war, diversification of the economy was started by Conway AR businessmen when several small industries were located in Conway Arkansas, including the headquarters for the Office of Emergency Services, the Human Development Center and the Arkansas Educational Television Network.
There are currently a number of major industries located in Conway AR. Some of those include: American Transportation, Acxiom, Frigidaire, Virco Manufacturing and Kimberly Clark.
Conway Arkansas has also become the central gateway to the Ozarks. Many tourists stop off in Conway on their way to such places as Branson, Eureka Springs, Mountain View, Murfreesboro and Hot Springs.
Conway AR is located in Central Arkansas, 30 miles north of Little Rock on Interstate-40. Other major highways serving Conway are US highways 64 & 65. It is the County seat of Faulkner County.
This central location makes Conway Arkansas a major distribution and service center for the Central Arkansas population. Within a 500 mile radius there are 17 states and 24 metropolitan areas which include over a third of the nation's population.
Conway AR is also a frequent stop over for travelers on their way to Branson. Conway is only 130 miles from Branson.
Conway's population was 43,167 according to the 2000 Census. This shows a growth rate of about 5% each year. Estimates also show that by the year 2012 the population should be over 60,000. Conway Arkansas is also home to approximately 11,000 college students who live in the city during the academic year. Conway AR is located in Faulkner county.
CONWAY ARKANSAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Conway AR School District has eight (K-5) elementary schools:
- Ellen Smith
- Florence Mattison
- Ida Burns
- Julia Lee Moore
- Sallie Cone
- Marguerite Vann
- Jim Stone and Theodore Jones
Conway Arkansas has one intermediate school:
- Ruth Doyle
Conway AR has two middle schools:
- Bob Courtway
- Carl Stuart
Conway Arkansas has two High School campuses:
- CHS-East
- CHS-West
The district also serves students and adults of Conway and surrounding districts through an area Vocational Education Center located at the senior high complex. Basic literacy services and GED preparation are offered at the Conway Adult Education Center.
CONWAY AR PRIVATE SCHOOLS
St. Joseph School with a population of approximately 500 students is housed on three campuses. The primary campus is on the corner of Harkrider and Second Streets. This facility contains St. Joseph preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1-3. St. The elementary school, grades 4-6, is located on College Street and the junior high and high school building is on Front Street.
St. Joseph School is fully accredited at all levels (Kindergarten through 12th grade) by the Arkansas Nonpublic Schools Accrediting Association (ANSAA) - which is affiliated with the National Federation of Nonpublic School State Accrediting Associations and approved by the United States Office of Education. St. Joseph School is the first K-12 program in Arkansas to receive this certification.
Conway Arkansas Christian School, established in 1992, is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and uses the A Beka curriculum for K3 - 6th grade. Grades K3 - 4th are located at Second Baptist Church on Harkrider at Monroe St. downtown. The administrative offices are on second floor and office hours are reduced in the summer. Voice mail is checked regularly. CCS and CCHS students represent over 60 churches throughout Faulkner County and surrounding area.
Conway AR Christian High School is enjoying new facilities on a planned $8 million, 31 acre campus on East German Lane near the Hwy. 286 intersection, 1/4 mile from I-40. The curriculum includes A Beka, Bob Jones, and other selected texts and materials, including higher math and sciences. Extra curricular activities include a competitive sports program for boys and girls, athletic banquet, homecoming, student council, community outreach and service, class trip, excellent chapel speakers, academic competitions, sign language, drama, yearbook, and clubs.
HIGHER EDUCATION
University of Central Arkansas - Originally established as Arkansas State Normal School in 1907; UCA later changed its name to Arkansas State Teachers College. In 1967 it became the State College of Arkansas and in 1975 it gained university status and became the University of Central Arkansas.
UCA has an enrollment of approximately 11,375 students and offers the following degrees:
- AA - Associate of Arts
- AAS - Associate of Applied Science
- BA - Bachelor of Arts
- BS - Bachelor of Science
- BSE - Bachelor of Science in Education
- BFA - Bachelor of Fine Arts
- BBA - Bachelor of Business Administration
- BM - Bachelor of Music Education
- MA - Master of Art
- MBA - Master of Business Administration
- MM - Master of Music
- MME - Master of Music Education
- MS- Master Science in Education
- MSN- Master of Science in Nursing
- ED.S. - Specialist in Education
Hendrix College - Hendrix College is a co-educational, four-year, liberal arts college, which was founded in 1876 in Altus, Arkansas, associated with the Methodist Church since 1884. Hendrix moved to Conway Arkansas in 1890. An undergraduate community of approximately 1,000 students, the college is a recognized leader among independent colleges in America. Hendrix offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in 23 majors.Hendrix current enrollment is approximately 1,042 undergraduates.
Central Baptist College - Central Baptist College, formerly Central College, was established in 1952. It is sponsored by the Baptist Missionary Association of Arkansas. CBC offers Associate of Arts degrees in Business, Education, General Education, Mathematics, Music, Office Administration, Pastoral Studies and Religious Education as well as a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Bible with emphasis in Missions, Pastoral Studies and Religious Education and a Bachelor of Science in Church Music and Youth Ministries.
Headquarters for the Faulkner-Van Buren Regional Library is located at 1900 Tyler Street in Conway AR. The system has approximately 258,000 volumes (including all formats), with branches located in Vilonia, Clinton, Shirley, and Fairfield Bay.
All residents of Faulkner and Van Buren counties are eligible for a free library card and access to any public library in both counties. Among specialized services offered at the library are 2 meeting spaces which will accomodate 100 persons each, free income tax counseling, children's programs Tuesday and Thursday mornings, interlibrary loan, voter registration and free notary public.
Headquarters library is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., and 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Hendrix College Library, Torreyson Library at UCA, and Central Baptist College Library are also resources available to the public.
TOAD SUCK DAZE IN CONWAY, ARKANSAS
Traditionally held in downtown Conway AR the first weekend in May, Toad Suck Daze will celebrate its 25 th year in 2006. The family oriented festival is free to the public, and attendance is over 150,000 every year.
The festival boasts Arts & Crafts, Food, Local and National Entertainment, Toad Kids Zone, Carnival Rides, Tour de Toad bicycle race, Toad Jam Basketball tournament, Toad Run 5/10K, Toad Pageant, Business Expo, Stuck on a Truck, a Toad Store, and the World Famous Toad Races held in the Toad Dome!
WOOLY HOLLOW STATE PARK
Located north of Conway Arkansas off Hwy. 65 just past Greenbrier, then east on 285. Lake Bennett is the central recreation area of the 399 - acre park. Rent fishing boats and canoes. Swimming and picnic areas. Woolly Homestead provides the historical focus for the entire park. Campsites with RV hookups.
LAKE CONWAY
At 6,700 acres, Lake Conway is the largest Game and Fish Commission lake and offers some of the best bass, catfish, crappie and bream fishing anywhere in Arkansas. The Game and Fish Commission maintains several free public launch areas and boat rental is available at commercial docks.
LAKE BEAVERFORK IN CONWAY, AR
Lake Beaverfork, also located in Conway provides great fishing as well as swimming and boating activities. The Lake and park are operated by the city of Conway.
TOAD SUCK PARK IN CONWAY, ARKANSAS
Located on the Arkansas River, just a few miles from Conway, AR is Toad Suck Lock and Dam. The Corp of Engineers operates Toad Suck Park on the Arkansas River. It is a beautiful park with pavilions for picnics as well as camping sites.
PICKLES GAP VILLAGE IN CONWAY, AR
This recreated Ozark village on Highway 65 on the outskirts of Conway Arkansas features a variety of gift and souvenir, antique and craft shops, a card shop, guitar shop, kiddie land and the Pickle Barrel Restaurant and Ole Time Soda fountain, featuring hickory-smoked barbecue, homemade fudge and many other delicacies. (Located off Hwy. 65N, two miles from I-40.)
The Edge
A youth center for teens to hangout, play pool, foozball, and Video games. The Edge is an outreach of Revolution Student Ministries, a youth ministry of The Church Alive, to the students of this Region. The Edge website is http://www.theedgeonline.ws
CONWAY AR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
The city of Conway Arkansas maintains six public parks and Beaverfork Lake. The parks are:
- Fifth Avenue
- Mountain View
- Laurel
- Gatlin
- Airport
- Don Owens Memorial
There are three private 18-hole golf courses available to members and their guests. The courses are located at Cadron Valley Country Club, Conway Country Club, and Sentiniel Valley Country Club.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN CONWAY, ARKANSAS
- Beaverfork Lake
- Cadron Settlement Park
- Harris Brake Wildlife Management Area
- Lake Atkins
- Lake Conway
- Lake Overcup
- Ouchita National Forest
- Petit Jean State Park
- Toad Suck Park
- Woolly Hollow State Park
SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES IN CONWAY, AR
3 Local universities have active art programs for the general public including music, art exhibits, special speakers and drama. An annual concert is presented by the Conway Arkansas Civic Orchestra.
Silver Moon Cinema
Silver Moon Cinema big-screen celebration of movies – old and new. With its old-fashioned, outdoor summer entertainment and laid-back family fun, Silver Moon Cinema is located at Toad Suck Square at the corner of Oak and Front Streets in downtown Conway, AR.
Silver Moon Cinema, a Conway Arkansas Park and Recreations program, is comprised of a volunteer staff with event proceeds going to local area charities.
The 2011 season starts May 7 with one movie a month through September and two in October. Movies start at dark and the times change depending on the pre-movie activities, so check the website frequently.
Conway, AR is the county seat of Faulkner County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 58,908 at the 2010 census, making Conway, Arakansas the seventh most populous city in Arkansas. It is a principal city of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area which had 675,069 people in 2008. Conway, AR is home to three post-secondary educational institutions, earning it the nickname "The City of Colleges".
History
The city of Conway, AR was founded by Asa P. Robinson, who came to Conway, Arkansas shortly after the Civil War. Robinson was the chief engineer for the Little Rock-Fort Smith Railroad (now the Union Pacific). Part of his compensation was the deed to a tract of land, one square mile, located near the old settlement of Cadron. When the railroad came through, Robinson deeded a small tract of his land back to the railroad for a depot site. He laid off a town site around the depot and named it Conway Station, in honor of a famous Arkansas family. Conway Station contained two small stores, two saloons, a depot, some temporary housing and a post office.
Conway, Arkansas was long the home of the late Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice James D. Johnson, who ran unsuccessful races for governor in 1956 against then fellow Democrat Orval Eugene Faubus and in 1966 against the Republican Winthrop Rockefeller. The conservative Johnson later switched affiliation to the Republican Party but long after the death of his nemesis Rockefeller. Johnson also lost an important race in 1968 for the United States Senate against the incumbent James William Fulbright. His wife, the late Virginia Johnson, ran for governor in 1968, while he was running for senator.
Geography
Conway, AR is located at 35°05'14 N 92°27'12 W / 35.087336°N 92.453315°W / 35.087336; -92.453315.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.3 mi² (91.3 km²), of which 35.0 mi² (90.8 km²) is land and 0.2 mi² (0.5 km²) of it (0.60%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 43,167 people, 16,039 households, and 10,168 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,231.7 people per square mile (475.5/km²). There were 17,289 housing units at an average density of 493.3/sq mi (190.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.0% White, 12.1% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 1.25% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. 3.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 16,039 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 22.4% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there are 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,063, and the median income for a family was $47,912. Males had a median income of $35,021 versus $25,418 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,509. About 9.3% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.
In November and December 2005, the city of Conway, Arkansas commissioned a special census to update its demographic records. The certified results of this Special Census put Conway's population at 52,430. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2009 Population Estimates, Conway's population is estimated to be 59,511 as of 2009.
Education
Conway, AR is home to the following colleges and universities:
- Central Baptist College
- Hendrix College
- University of Central Arkansas
Over 36% of Conway's adult workforce hold a baccalaureate degree or higher, making it the third best educated city over 10,000 in Arkansas, after Maumelle and Fayetteville.
The public school system is broken up into four different categories: Elementary (K-4), Intermediate (5-6), Middle (7-8), and High (9-10 at the East Campus and 11-12 at the West Campus).
Conway, Arkansas is also home to two private schools: Conway Christian and St. Joseph Catholic School.
Culture
Conway, AR residents have many opportunities for cultural experiences. The Conway Arkansas Symphony Orchestra performs many times throughout the year, and Conway Community Arts Association has been presenting theatre and other art opportunities to the community for thirty years. The Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre is the state's only professional Shakespeare theatre and it is based in Conway, Arkansas with an annual summer festival held in June.
There are also many art, music and theatre opportunities provided by Conway's three colleges. The University of Central Arkansas's Public Appearances program provides a variety of dance, music, and theatre offerings each year.
Conway AR Public Schools has very strong theatre and music programs, with large concert and marching bands that consistently receive high marks in regional competitions.
One of the city's largest annual events, Toad Suck Daze, has been held since 1982. The three day community festival incorporates live music, food and craft vendors, and amusement rides during the first weekend of May. Proceeds from the festival fund college scholarships for Conway Arkansas students.
Conway, AR is also home to a very popular sport-fishing destination and the largest man-made Game and Fish commission lake in the United States. Lake Conway, home to largemouth bass, crappie, gar, catfish, bream, bowfin, etc. The Arkansas Crappie Masters state tournament is held here every year.
The city held its first ever EcoFest September 12, 2009, in Laurel Park. EcoFest included exhibits and events relating to "green" and sustainable initiatives, including a cardboard car derby and an alleycat bicycle ride. According to organizers led by Debbie Plopper, the event was a success. Mayor Tab Townsell said the event indicated to him that "interest in sustainability is flourishing in the community of Conway Arkansas."
Business and Industry in Conway AR
Conway, Arkansas is home to one of the world's largest school bus manufacturers, IC Corporation. The Conway, AR plant is one of only two IC manufacturing plants; the other is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. IC Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navistar International Corporation of Illinois. IC was previously known as American Transportation (AmTran) Corporation and Ward Body Works. The company was originally founded in 1933. IC has decided to close the plant and move all bus manufacturing to the Tulsa, OK plant.
R. D. "Bob" Nabholz founded Nabholz Construction in Conway, Arkansas in 1949. It currently employs over 800 people company wide and it has been listed by Engineering News Record (ENR) magazine as one of the Top 400 General Contractors every year since 1986, currently the company is ranked #161.
In 1965, Baldwin Piano Company began manufacturing upright pianos at a plant in Conway, AR. Over the years, other piano models were added to the production line. By 1998, the company's 270 employees were manufacturing 2,200 grand pianos a year. Baldwin Piano was acquired by Gibson Instruments in 2003. Gibson has now closed the Baldwin factory.
The Conway Corporation handles the local cable TV, Internet, and telephone services, in addition to electricity and water for Conway, Arkansas.
Acxiom Corporation, a global interactive marketing services company that uses consumer data, analytics, information technology, data integration, and consulting solutions to help companies conduct direct marketing programs, was founded in 1969 in Conway, AR and though it has its corporate headquarters in Little Rock, AR, a large presence in Conway, Arkansas still remains.
On June 19, 2008, Hewlett-Packard announced it would be opening a 150,000 sq ft (14,000 m2) facility with 1200 employees in 2009. The building, which will be owned by the Conway Development Corporation and leased to HP, will be located in The Meadows Office and Technology Park, and is built by Nabholz Construction. The building will be LEED certified.
