White

Photo Courtesy of Arkansas Historic Preservation Program

The White County Courthouse in Searcy is a Classical-style building built in 1870 with additions in 1912. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977..

White County Census

White County, the second largest county in the state was formed in 1835 by the territorial legislature from parts of Jackson, Pulaski, and Independence counties and named for Hugh Lawson White, a U.S. senator from Tennessee.

White County's economy includes row crops of milo, wheat, soybeans and rice in the Delta area of the county and an industrial complex in the county's central area. The county's highlands feature livestock and poultry operations along with blueberries, table grapes, and coastal Bermuda grass hay. A major interstate angles through the county, connecting the northeast and central portions of the state, as the Southwest Trail did for early settlers.

Harding University in Searcy has a major impact on White County's economy, as well as on the educational and cultural life of the county. Another institution that is important to the educational life of the county is the Arkansas State Technical Institute

located on the campus of Arkansas State University at Beebe. Arkansas State University at Searcy also draws students from nearby counties for instruction in a variety of job skills.

Congessman Snyder speaks with consituents at the Searcy Courthouse.

White County has many varied recreational opportunities found only in a county with such varied terrain. The Henry Gray Hurricane Lake Wildlife Management Area is popular with hunters. Also, the White and Little Red rivers cut through the area, which features an outstanding cypress and tupelo brake, boat trails, four lakes, and excellent fishing.

Many of Searcy's buildings are historic. The home of David Crise, Searcy's first permanent resident, served as White County's first courthouse in 1837 until a log structure was built on land donated by James Walker and where the present courthouse stands. This was replaced about 1850 by a frame courthouse which served until 1870 when the present Georgian style building was constructed. There were two additions, both in 1912.The White County Courthouse's elaborate clock tower features a bell cast in 1855 that resembles the Liberty Bell. The present White County Courthouse, completed in 1871 and remodeled in 1912 is the oldest courthouse in the State of Arkansas still being used for the original purpose.

The Civil War monument located at the corner of West Arch and Spring Street, was erected in 1917 through the fund-raising efforts of the people of Searcy and White County to reflect their perception of the noble character and valor of their veterans and their cause. The monument is among 16 in 13 Arkansas counties that have been listed in the National Register of Historical Places, the country's official list of historically significant properties.

-- courtesy the Association of Arkansas Counties and White County