Faulkner

Photo Courtesy of Arkansas Historic Preservation Program

The Faulkner County Courthouse in Conway, built in 1936, combines Colonial Revival and Art Deco styles of architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

Faulkner County Census

Faulkner County was formed on April 12, 1873, from parts of Conway and Pulaski counties. The county was named for Colonel Sanford C. Faulkner, who was a fiddle player and a teller of tall-tales and is credited with being the original "Arkansas Traveller."

Over the next decade Faulkner County is projected to have the state's fifth highest growth in population. Its proximity to Little Rock and to major transportation routes makes Conway a central Arkansas crossroads.

Part of its attraction for industry - mostly light manufacturing and service - lies in having three institutions of higher learning: Hendrix College, Central Baptist College and the University of Central Arkansas. Conway is also home to the Arkansas Educational Television Network.

Faulkner County boasts colorfully named attractions. Toad Suck Park is the site of an Arkansas River Crossing dating back to 1820 and the current site of Toad Suck Ferry Lock and Dam. According to legend, steamboat crews waiting for the river to get deep enough for passage frequented a nearby tavern. Disapproving locals said, " They suck on the bottle 'til they swell up like toads." Facilities don't include a tavern now, but the original Toad Suck Ferry towboat is still on display. In May, Toad Suck Daze features toad-jumping contest, crafts, and a street dance.

Reverend Betsy Singleton and Penn Snyder participate in a toad race.

Woolly Hollow State Park has a lake, picnic areas, hiking trails, campsites and the 1882 Woolly Cabin. Lake Conway, the country's largest Game and Fish Commission lake, has 6,700 acres of good fishing. Cadron Creek offers floating past scenic areas.

Cadron Settlement Park is a National Historic Site featuring the Cadron Block House, a replica of a late 18th century structure used as a trading post, public gathering place and defense post. The 1830 Daniel Greathouse home, a two-room house built of massive cypress logs, is now a museum.

Cove Creek Natural Area contains a spectacular gorge cut through sandstone by the meandering stream, creek-bottom forest, glades of red cedar and five species of special plants.

--courtesy the courtesy the Association of Arkansas Counties