Dardanelle, Arkansas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dardanelle is a city in Yell County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 4,228 at the 2000 census. It is located near Lake Dardanelle.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 Transportation
5 Attractions
6 Dardanelle Sand Lizards
7 External links

[edit] Geography

Dardanelle is located at 35°13′21″N, 93°9′37″W (35.222539, -93.160408)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.9 km² (3.1 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 4,228 people, 1,605 households, and 1,078 families residing in the city. The population density was 533.5/km² (1,382.0/mi²). There were 1,747 housing units at an average density of 220.4/km² (571.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.24% White, 4.64% Black or African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 16.65% from other races, and 2.41% from two or more races. 21.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,605 households out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,727, and the median income for a family was $30,457. Males had a median income of $21,138 versus $17,370 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,583. About 14.9% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

Dardanelle is one of the oldest cities in the state of Arkansas. Officially incorporated in 1855, Dardanelle celebrated its 150th Anniversary in 2005. However, the area had been settled for years before that, first being established as a river town in the mid-18th Century. It is Yell County's dual county seat, sharing that title with Danville.

The Treaty of Council Oaks was signed on June 24, 1823 on Front Street beneath two huge, old oak trees (102 feet high and 400-500 years old). Under orders of President James Monroe, U.S. Army Colonel David Brearly and Arkansas territorial secretary Robert Crittendon met with Chief Black Fox and several Cherokee leaders to determine boundaries. As a result of the treaty, the Cherokees gave up all of their land in Arkansas south of the Arkansas River. One of the two trees was destroyed in the early 1990s in a flood, but the other is still standing tall. The site is now a city park.

Due to its location on the banks of the Arkansas River, Dardanelle was one of Arkansas's leading towns in the 19th Century. Hundreds of barges, boats, and other vessels traveled by the town annually. Approximately halfway between the state's two largest cities of Little Rock and Fort Smith, Dardanelle was a transportation and business hub.

Dardanelle has a history of being one of the state's leading immigration centers that continues to this day. Vast numbers of Czech and German families, including Ballouns, Vodrazkas, Staneks, and Pfeiffers, came to the town in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and their impact can still be felt today. Currently, Dardanelle has one of the highest percentage of Hispanics in the state, with over 21% of the town's population being Hispanic.

Merritt Park opened in the late 1990s on the west side of town. It is a large, state-of-the-art park featuring outstanding baseball facilities, a playground, soccer fields, basketball courts, and a walking/jogging trail. The adjacent Dardanelle Community Center opened around the same time, and provides multiple services for the community.

Dardanelle's downtown area is currently under a drastic revitalization. After falling into decay for a number of years, Front Street on the River is once again a thriving place. Daly's Downtown and Savannah's have anchored this rejuvenation. The Bank of Dardanelle, which now has ten locations across the state, first opened on Front Street many years ago. The Dardanelle Post-Dispatch, the oldest weekly newspaper in the state, have their offices here. Millyn's, Warren's Grocery, and a number of other businesses can be found there, too. Beautiful views of the river, historic buildings, and a thriving restaurant scene makes Front Street one of the premier places to go in the Arkansas River Valley.

Other main commercial areas in the city include Union Street, Quay Street, and 2nd Street. A Wal-Mart Supercenter opened in October 2005, replacing the old Wal-Mart Express.

Dardanelle is well-known for its local restaurants. Daly's Downtown and Savannah's can be found on Front Street. Catfish 'N was ranked by USA Today as one of the best restaurants in America. Dari Delite is a favorite hangout among the teenage crowd. A plethora of Mexican restaurants can be found, showcasing the city's vibrant Hispanic culture. McDonald's, Subway, Taco Bell, Burger King, Pizza Hut, and other national chains can also be found in town.

[edit] Transportation

Though Dardanelle is no longer one of the Arkansas's largest cities, it still plays a prominent role in state affairs. The Port of Dardanelle is one of the busiest in Arkansas.

In the late 1800s, a pontoon bridge between Dardanelle and Russellville replaced ferry service. Spanning 2,208 feet, it was the longest pontoon bridge ever constructed across a moving body of water. The bridge was completely washed out four times in its 30 years of existence.

The Dardanelle Lock & Dam, constructed in the 1960s as a part of the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System, led to the formation of Lake Dardanelle and helps regulate river traffic on the Arkansas River.

The Dardanelle and Russellville Railroad, or "D&R" as it is known locally, is one of few remaining short-line railroads in the state. It connects Dardanelle with its larger neighbor on the north bank of the river.

Highways 7, 22, 27, and 28 can be found ending or going through Dardanelle. Dardanelle is halfway between the Buffalo River to the north and Hot Springs to the south on Scenic Biway 7.

[edit] Attractions

A number of attractions can be found in Dardanelle or its surrounding area, including:

Lake Dardanelle
Mount Nebo and Mount Nebo State Park
Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge
The Lion's Den Golf Course
The Yell County Courthouse (on the National Register of Historic Places)
Dana Merritt Park
Veterans' Memorial Riverfront Park
Council Oaks Park and Historic Site
Dardanelle Rock

[edit] Dardanelle Sand Lizards

Dardanelle is well-known for its unique high school mascot, the "Sand Lizards." The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette named Sand Lizard as the state's best mascot. The Dardanelle School District is considered to be one of the best in the state. Over 1,800 students are enrolled in the district. Dardanelle Primary School houses grades K-1, Dardanelle Elementary School grades 2-6, and Dardanelle Middle School grades 7-8. Approximately 525 students attend Grades 9-12 at Dardanelle High School.

Dardanelle High School was the first high school in Arkansas to implement the advisory program and one of the first Arkansas schools to have an interdisciplinary teaching block. Dardanelle High School was the only school in the state of Arkansas to have its senior class score 60% or higher in all three categories of the ACTAAP statewide test. Seven Advanced Placement classes are offered at the school, and seven Pre-AP classes, as well. The average ACT score of graduating seniors is 21.4. Typically 60% of a senior class goes to college, 15% to technical schools, 15% to the workforce, and 10% to the military.

Dardanelle High School has excelled in extracurricular activities. Coached by Bruce Futterer, the DHS Quiz Bowl team were state champions in 2003, 2004, and 2006, led by State MVPs Tobin Williamson (2003, 2004) and then Shaun Alvis (2005, 2006). The Envirothon team were state champions in 2004. The Forensics team, coached by Adam Robison, is one of the state's best programs. The Dardanelle Band, directed by Clay Hooten, consistently receives high rankings in competition. The Dardanelle Beta Club consistently has state academic competition winners and elected office winners, including current Arkansas State Beta Vice-President Stuart Scott. In 2005, Shaun Alvis won first place in the history competition at the National Beta Convention. Other extracurricular activities at the school include Art Club, Christian Student Union, EAST Lab, FBLA, FCCLA, French Club, History Club, Jazz Band, JROTC, SADD, Spanish Club, Science Club, Student Congress, Student Council, and VICA.

Athletically, the Sand Lizards have a proud tradition. Dardanelle has some of the finest facilities of any class AAAA school in the state, including added stadium seating in 2000, a million-dollar, state-of-the-art indoor facility built in 2002, a newly resurfaced gym floor in 2002, and a newly resurfaced track in 2003. Dardanelle is a member of the Class 4A-4 conference, along with Booneville, Clarksville, Clinton, Dover, Ozark, Subiaco Academy, and Waldron. The Sand Lizards' main rival are the Danville Little Johns. The two schools, located just 20 minutes apart, meet annually in the "Yell County Shootout" for the Judges' Cup. Dardanelle has been dominant in recent years, but Danville finally won the Cup again in 2005.

The football team has made the state playoffs 7 out of the past 8 years. From 1986 to 1987, the team gathered a record of 22-2 and made the state semifinals. John Flaherty, who coached the team from 1997 to 2003, is the winningest coach in school history. Paul Wilson succeeded Flaherty and has continued the Lizards' winning ways. Former Sand Lizards Rick Thone, Cory Thompson, Chris Johnson, and Robert Woods have gone on to start at nearby Arkansas Tech University, and current superstar athlete C.J. Chaten has received numerous Division I-A scholarship offers.

Former Dardanelle basketball head coach Matt Zimmerman, who coached at the school from 1998 to 2002, is now an assistant for the University of Missouri Tigers. Under his direction, the 2000 team made the state quarterfinals and finished #7 in the state, and the 2001 team also went to the state tournament. The Sand Lizards basketball team made it to the state championship in 1988, narrowly losing to Gosnell in the title game. After a series of coaching turnovers after Zimmerman left in 2002, the program appears to be stable again under the direction of Shane Thurman. The team, currently led by C.J. Chaten and Matt Haney, was ranked in the state's top 10 last year and is a favorite to win a state title in 2007.

Dardanelle's women's team has been successful in its own right. Head coach Tim Aynes has been at the school for several years. Former Lady Lizard Kate McCormick is now a star at nearby Arkansas Tech University. Chelsea White, class of 2006, will continue her career at Hendrix College.

The Dardanelle track team, coached by John Flaherty, won the Class AAA State Championship in 2002, and finished second in 2003. They have been finishing in the top 1, 2, or 3 in district track meets for almost a decade now. Their track, newly resurfaced to be an all-weather track, hosted the Arkansas Class AAA state track meet in May 2006.

Dardanelle also competes in volleyball, baseball, softball, cross country, and men's and women's golf.

Well known Dardanelle alumni include former Federal Emergency Management Agency director James Lee Witt and professional golfer John Daly.