Perry

Photo Courtesy of Arkansas Historic Preservation Program

The Perry County Courthouse in Perryville, a brick structure representative of public buildings of the period, was built in 1888. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Perry County Website

Perry County Census

Perry County was created in December 1840 from the part of Conway County south of the Arkansas River. The county was named for Oliver Perry, a hero in the War of 1812, who said, "We have met the enemy, and they are ours."

About half of Perry County is in the Ouachita National Forest, and one of the county's principal industries is timber. One of the newest plants is Southern Chips, in the county's northeastern enterprise zone, which produces wood chips for Arkansas Kraft.

Cattle, hog and poultry production plus rice and soybeans make up the county's major agricultural activity. Other industry is located in the county, but many residents commute to surrounding counties for employment. Featuring mountains, wide valleys and fertile river bottomlands, this area is conducive to farming. Several small creeks like Fourche la Fave Creek (named for Peter Le Fevre, a French Canadian who came to the area around 1818) run through the area. The seat of government is at Perryville. Cities, Towns & Communities include Adona, Bigelow, Casa, Fourche, Houston, Perry, and Perryville.

Because some much of the county is national forest, the county attracts many outdoor enthusiasts. Harris Brake Wildlife Management Area is the smallest in the system, but it is crowded during duck hunting season.

Congressman Snyder presented Joe Glover of Perryville with five medals, including a Purple Heart.

Lake Nimrod, built on the Fourche LaFave River for flood control and recreation, is known for water skiing, hunting and fishing. Situated between the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains, the lake is lined with pine and hardwood and offers boating, swimming, picnicking and camping. Harris Brake Lake is popular with anglers, and the Fourche LaFave River has large catfish. The eastern boundary of the county follows the Arkansas River for several miles.

The Perry County Courthouse, an 1888 structure, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

A Natural Heritage Area called the Perry Mountain Roadcut exposes varieties of sandstone, siltstone and shale of the Atoka Formation as well as some quartz.

The Heifer Project International Learning and Livestock Center located is a privately financed, nonprofit endeavor located on 1,200 acres in the county. For nearly 55 years, it has provided livestock and training to low income farmers in developing countries. In turn, the farmers pass on their newly acquired skills and the livestock's offspring to other needy families.

-- courtesy the Association of Arkansas Counties