El Dorado ( ) is a city in and the

county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or parish (administrative division), civil parish. The term is in use in five countries: Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, and the United States. An equiva ...

of Union County, on the southern border of

Arkansas Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the West South Central region of the Southern United States. It borders Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, Texas to the southwest, and Oklahoma ...

, United States. According to the 2020 census, the population of the city is 17,755. El Dorado is headquarters of the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission as well as

Murphy USA Murphy USA is an American corporation based in El Dorado, Arkansas that operates a chain store, chain of retail gas stations that are primarily located in proximity to Walmart stores. It was founded as a spin-off of Murphy Oil in 2013. In the f ...

, Deltic Timber Corporation and a DelekUS oil refinery. The city has a downtown arts district, the Murphy Arts District (MAD); a community college, South Arkansas College (SouthArk); and a multi-cultural arts center, South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC). El Dorado is the population, cultural and business center of south central Arkansas. The city was the heart of the 1920s oil boom in the area. During World War II, it became a center of the chemical industry, which still plays a part in the economy, as do oil and timber.

History

Timeline

* 1829, the territorial legislature took sections of Hempstead and Clark counties to establish Union County. * 1843, Matthew Rainey founded and named El Dorado. El Dorado became the Union County seat that same year and the first Presbyterian church was organized. * 1845, First Baptist Church was organized. * 1870, El Dorado Baptist Church was founded and El Dorado was incorporated. * 1883, Albert Williams was lynched in El Dorado * 1891, the first passenger train arrives in El Dorado from Camden. * 1902, the Tucker-Parnell Feud erupts between Guy Tucker (city marshal), and a local businessman (Tom Parnell). * 1908, Washington High School opens. * 1919, Frank Livingston, a black World War I veteran accused of murder with scant evidence, was burned alive by a mob near El Dorado. * 1921, the Busey No. 1 well was completed. The start of the oil boom. El Dorado is sometimes referred to as "Arkansas' Original Boomtown." * 1922, El Dorado Oil Refinery was commissioned and the B'nai B'rith lodge was founded. * 1927, the Lion Oil-Exchange Building was completed.

Geography

According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (0.31%) is water.

Topography

El Dorado is located in the West Gulf Coastal Plain: In Arkansas, the West Gulf Coastal Plain covers the southeastern and south central portions of the state along the border of Louisiana. This Lowland area of Arkansas is characterized by pine forests and farmlands. Natural resources include natural gas, petroleum deposits and beds of

bromine Bromine is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol, symbol Br and atomic number 35. It is a volatile red-brown liquid at room temperature that evaporates readily to form a similarly coloured vapour. Its properties are intermediate between th ...

flats. The lowest point in the state is found on the Ouachita River in the West Gulf Coastal Plain of Arkansas.

Climate

El Dorado is located in the humid

subtropical The subtropical zones or subtropics are geographical zone, geographical and Köppen climate classification, climate zones immediately to the Northern Hemisphere, north and Southern Hemisphere, south of the tropics. Geographically part of the Ge ...

zone (

Köppen climate classification The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...

: ''Cfa'').

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,756 people, 7,164 households, and 4,466 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,096 people per square mile. 25.9% of the population were under 18, and 7.1% were under 5. People over 65 made up 16.7% of the population. The gender make up of the city was 50.6% female and 49.4% male. The median household income was $41,831, and the per capita income was $24,081. People under the poverty line made up 22.6% of the population.

2010 census

As of the

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2010, there were 18,884 people, 8,969 households, and 5,732 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 9,969 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 49.9%

Black Black is a color that results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without chroma, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness.Eva Heller, ''P ...

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

, 45.1%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 0.30% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.8%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...

, 0.39% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 1.04% of the population were

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race. There were 8,686 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. Of 8,686 households, 304 are unmarried partner households: 243 heterosexual, 19 same-sex male, and 42 same-sex female. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.99. In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.8 males. The median income for a household in the city was $27,045, and the median income for a family was $34,753. Males had a median income of $30,876 versus $19,211 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the city was $16,332. About 20.0% of families and 24.6% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 36.3% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Venues

The Murphy Arts District (MAD) opened in 2017 in downtown El Dorado. The district includes a music hall, outdoor amphitheater, farmer's market, musical performers, restaurant with performance stage, the largest playscape in the state, and a water park. The South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC) is a facility with three visual art galleries, a ballet studio, a theatre, educational classroom space, and an open art studio. SAAC hosts stage events and art exhibitions. The El Dorado Municipal Auditorium is a multi-purpose auditorium with a large lobby, grand hall seating, and multi-tiered sloping balcony. It has featured musical acts, entertainment shows, school productions, dance recitals and was formerly the location of the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, which was founded in 1956. The El Dorado Conference Center is a multi-purpose facility opened in 2011, which features an assembly hall main hall, small meeting rooms, the student services for South Arkansas College, and bookstore, and café.

Annual events

The

Mayhaw Mayhaw is the name given to the fruit of the species of ''Crataegus'' series ''Aestivales''Phipps, J.B.; O’Kennon, R.J.; Lance, R.W. 2003. ''Hawthorns and medlars''. Royal Horticultural Society, Cambridge, U.K. that are common in wetlands throu ...

Festival occurs in May. The official event name is "Bugs Bands and Bikes". It coincides with a crawfish boil, a "Battle of the Bands", a bike show/one day motorcycle rally, a motorcycle parade, and pool tournament. The "SouthArk Outdoor Expo occurs in September with activities for anglers, hunters, children, and families. MusicFest occurs in October in an eight-block area, featuring over 30 acts on five stages. Winter events include the "Festival of Lights" and the "largest Christmas parade in Arkansas".

Attractions

*The Union County Courthouse, opened in 1928. *The South Arkansas Arboretum, opened in 1965, is Arkansas's only state park located within a city. It includes more than of paved trails. *The Rialto Theater, listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

, opened in 1929 with seating for 1,400, and presented live stage shows and films.

Parks and recreation

City parks include: Lions Club Park and Golf Course, Mattocks Park, Mosby Park, Neel Park, Old City Park, and South Side Park. The El Dorado Recreation Complex and Pavilion has a playground, baseball and softball facility and two pavilions. It is the location of the El Dorado High School Wildcat Baseball Field and Ladycat Softball Field. Memorial Stadium is a 7,030-seat football stadium and track which hosts sports event, school teams, the Boomtown Classic, an annual college football match between in-state college football rivals.

Education

According to the 2000 Census, 22.5% of the population age 25+ had an associate degree or higher. More than 400 teachers and administrators work to meet the needs of all students regardless of age, ability, or background. Approximately 50 percent of these teachers and administrators hold advanced degrees. More than 4,600 students attend the nine El Dorado public schools in the El Dorado School District #15. A new high school with a 1500-student capacity was completed in June 2011.

Public

Elementary

There are five elementary schools in the district, divided into academies (K-4) and 1 (K-6): *Hugh Goodwin Elementary School of the Arts *Murmil Heights learning center *Northwest Elementary School of Environment *Retta Brown Elementary School of Communication and Technologies *Yocum Elementary School of Math and Science

Secondary

*Washington Middle School (5–6) *Barton Junior High School (7–8) * El Dorado High School (9–12)

Collegiate

South Arkansas Community College (SouthArk), is a public two-year institution providing educational programs, services, and resources for students. SouthArk offers degrees and certificates in health sciences, industrial technologies,

liberal arts Liberal arts education () is a traditional academic course in Western higher education. ''Liberal arts'' takes the term ''skill, art'' in the sense of a learned skill rather than specifically the fine arts. ''Liberal arts education'' can refe ...

, and business.

Private

*Maranatha Baptist Christian School (PK-12) *West Side Christian School (PK-12) *Light Brigade Christian Academy (PK-12) *Holy Redeemer School (1925–2005)

Media

Radio

Radio stations include: KMLK (urban adult contemporary), KDMS (southern gospel), KIXB (country), KMRX (classic hits), KAGL (classic rock), KELD (talk), KELD-FM (contemporary hits), KLBQ (classic country), KBSA ( NPR), and KAKV.

Television

Television stations serving El Dorado include: KTVE ( NBC), KETZ (PBS), K20OC ( CBS-HD), KTVE-HD ( NBC-HD), K20OC ( CBS), KETZ-DT ( AETN/PBS), KTBS (ABC), KNOE (CBS), KARD (FOX), and KMLU (MeTV).

Print

The ''El Dorado News-Times'' is one of the oldest newspapers in South Arkansas.

Infrastructure

Major highways

* Future Interstate 69 * US 63

U.S. Highway 63 * US 82

U.S. Highway 82 * US 167

U.S. Highway 167 * Arkansas 7

Highway 7 * Arkansas 15

Highway 15

Airports

El Dorado has two airports, both owned by the city. South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field services private aircraft and one commercial carrier, and El Dorado Downtown Airport services local industries, and offers hangar space to small private planes.

Railways

El Dorado is served by the

Union Pacific Railroad The Union Pacific Railroad is a Railroad classes, Class I freight-hauling railroad that operates 8,300 locomotives over routes in 23 U.S. states west of Chicago and New Orleans. Union Pacific is the second largest railroad in the United Stat ...

, as well as two shortlines, being the El Dorado and Wesson Railway and the Ouachita Railroad.

Utilities

El Dorado water is served locally by El Dorado Water Utilities, a private company. Electricity is supplied by Entergy of Arkansas. Other utility companies serving El Dorado include Summit Utilities (natural gas), Southern Lp-Gas (liquid gas), Bcs (bottled and metered gas), Suddenlink (cable TV, internet and phone), Verizon Wireless and

AT&T AT&T Inc., an abbreviation for its predecessor's former name, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, is an American multinational telecommunications holding company headquartered at Whitacre Tower in Downtown Dallas, Texas. It is the w ...

(residential and wireless phone service).

Health systems

The city and surrounding area is served by the Medical Center of South Arkansas, MCSA, accredited by the

Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations A joint or articulation (or articular surface) is the connection made between bones, ossicles, or other hard structures in the body which link an animal's skeletal system into a functional whole.Saladin, Ken. Anatomy & Physiology. 7th ed. McGraw- ...

, is a general acute-care hospital licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health.

Notable people

* Beryl Anthony Jr., member of the

United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives is a chamber of the Bicameralism, bicameral United States Congress; it is the lower house, with the U.S. Senate being the upper house. Together, the House and Senate have the authority under Artic ...

* Michael Aiken, Chancellor of the

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC, U of I, Illinois, or University of Illinois) is a public university, public land-grant university, land-grant research university in the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area, Illinois, United ...

* Donna Axum, 1964

Miss America Miss America is an annual competition that is open to women from the United States between the ages of 18 and 28. Originating in 1921 as a "bathing beauty revue", the contest is judged on competition segments with scoring percentages: ''Priva ...

* Lou Brock, member of

Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by a private foundation. It serves as the central collection and gathering space for the history of baseball in the United S ...

* Albert H. Crews, astronaut and

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...

officer * Charlie Daniels, politician * Glenn D. Daniels, 1936–1992, founder of

Country Music Television Country Music Television, often abbreviated to CMT, is an American pay TV network that launched on March 5, 1983. It is currently owned by Paramount Global through the MTV Entertainment Group unit of its networks division. CMT was the first na ...

* Candice Earley, actress * Michael G. Fitzgerald, film historian and author * David Frizzell,

country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...

singer *

Lefty Frizzell William Orville "Lefty" Frizzell (March 31, 1928 – July 19, 1975) was an American country and honky-tonk singer-songwriter. Frizell is known as one of the most influential country music vocal stylists of all time. He has been cited as in ...

, country music singer, born in Corsicana,

Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...

, reared in El Dorado * Daniel Gafford,

NBA The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...

center for the

Dallas Mavericks The Dallas Mavericks (often referred to as the Mavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas. The Mavericks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Divisi ...

* Hogan Gidley, White House Deputy Press Secretary from 2019 to 2020 * Glen Ray Hines, professional football player *

Lamar Hunt Lamar Hunt Sr. (August 2, 1932 – December 13, 2006) was an American businessman most notable for his promotion of football, soccer, and tennis in the United States. With his brothers, he also attempted to corner the silver market. He was t ...

, professional football player, businessman, owner of Kansas City Chiefs, member of

Pro Football Hall of Fame The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame for professional football (gridiron), professional American football, located in Canton, Ohio. Opened on September 7, 1963, the Hall of Fame enshrines exceptional figures in the sport of profes ...

* E. Fay Jones, architect and student of

Frank Lloyd Wright Frank Lloyd Wright Sr. (June 8, 1867 – April 9, 1959) was an American architect, designer, writer, and educator. He designed List of Frank Lloyd Wright works, more than 1,000 structures over a creative period of 70 years. Wright played a key ...

* Qui Nguyen, playwright, screenwriter, and director, known for Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company, and Raya and the Last Dragon * Shara Nova, lead singer of

My Brightest Diamond My Brightest Diamond is the project of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Shara Nova. The band has released five studio albums and a remix album, five studio EPs and four remix EPs, and made several tours across the United States. Hist ...

* Kevin Payne, NFL

strong safety Safety (S), historically known as a safetyman, is a position in gridiron football on the defense. The safeties are defensive backs who line up ten to fifteen yards from the line of scrimmage. There are two variations of the position: the free sa ...

for the

Carolina Panthers The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The t ...

* Charles Portis, author of '' True Grit'' * William Ragsdale, actor * Albert Rust, U.S. Representative * Rob Schroeder, racing driver * Adam Setliff, two-time Olympic discus thrower * Dorothy Geneva Styles, composer, mathematician, and poet * Reece Tatum, basketball player for

Harlem Globetrotters The Harlem Globetrotters is an American Exhibition game, exhibition basketball team. They combine athleticism, theater, entertainment, and comedy in their style of play. Over the years, they have played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 124 ...

Viper Vipers are snakes in the family Viperidae, found in most parts of the world, except for Antarctica, Australia, Hawaii, Madagascar, New Zealand, Ireland, and various other isolated islands. They are venomous and have long (relative to non-vipe ...

, rapper and record producer * Dave Whitlock,

light heavyweight Light heavyweight is a weight class in combat sports. Boxing Professional In professional boxing, the division is above and up to , falling between super middleweight and cruiserweight (boxing), cruiserweight. The light heavyweight class has ...

professional prizefighter * Travis Williams, NFL running back * Josh Wilson, contemporary Christian musician

References

External links

*

(from the Institute of Southern Jewish Life) * Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry
El Dorado (Union County)
{{DEFAULTSORT:El Dorado, Arkansas 1843 establishments in Arkansas Cities in Arkansas Cities in Union County, Arkansas County seats in Arkansas Planned communities in Arkansas Populated places established in 1843