Morrilton, Arkansas 2025

Located in the river valley of the Arkansas river, Morrilton is a lovely small city in Conway County, Arkansas, United States. It was founded in 1820 and has a rich history. In 2020, the population of Morrilton, Arkansas, was about 6,800.

Morrilton has a-state-of-the-art industry, which includes Rex G. Baker Jr. Utility Services, pine Bluff sand & gravel, Riceland Foods, Tyson Foods, Inc.,and others. In addition, The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, formerly known as the Arkansas Valley technical Institute, is a 2-year community college located here.

Culture

Morrilton is filled with vibrant people with positive energy. The city hosts several festive events all year round. Few of which include:

* Riverfest, a one-day festival held in September, features live music, food vendors, children's activities, a 5K run, and craft fair.

* The community hosts a Christmas parade in December.

* The city hosts a Fourth of July celebration, featuring a full day of fun, including a parade, live music, food, and children'a activities.

Local Attractions

* The historic swinging bridge: The 408-foot-long suspension pedestrian bridge, more than a century old, connects old U.S. route 64 and new U.S. Route 64 from Morrilton's Riverfront Park to Petit Jean State Park. The Historic Swinging' Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 20, 1976.

* Old river terminal: What was once a bustling River Port located along the terminal of the Petit Jean River, which connects to the Arkansas River, has been refurbished by the city and now serves as an excellent location for weddings, receptions, and other gatherings.

* Riverfront Park: In addition to a skate park, a massive wooden fort, a disc golf course, playgrounds, and a new aquatic center, the 37-acre Riverfront Park offers a marina and a boat launch.

* Petit Jean State Park is located 5 miles west of Morrilton and features hiking opportunities, camping sites, picnic areas, meeting facilities, a lake, and a swimming beach.

* Conway County Veterans Wall of Honor: This 5 foot black granite monument honors those men and women who have served in the US Armed Forces, specifically those from Conway County. It is located in Riverfront Park.

The original home of the Cherokee and Osage nations, Morrilton was also part of a French exploration; Jean Baptiste Bénard de la Harpe, a French explorer, first claimed the land for France in 1626. It later went through Indian removal, the development of the Military Road, and became the home of the U.S. military veterans.

Food

Morrilton is not only a shopping center but also a haven for food enthusiasts. You can stop by Morrilton's Brew Pub, an award-winning establishment with an excellent menu. Dotted N Desert Cafe, The T-Bone Cafe, Peppers Family Restaurant, and other eateries offer everything from Southern favorites to traditional barbecue. There are fantastic Chinese and Mexican options. River Grill restaurant is also a local hotspot that serves delicious pasta, seafood options, and steak and sushi.

People:

The population of Morrilton, Arkansas, has grown by 3% since 2020 and is currently 6,860. Morrilton, Arkansas, is the 66th largest city in Arkansas and the 6744th largest city in the United States. Morrilton, with a median age of just over 34, is growing faster than 67% of cities in Arkansas.

Morrilton is home to people of different races, including white (85.17%), Hispanic (7.48%), black (5.76%), Asian (1.56%), Native American (0.27%), and other races (1.18%).

Morrilton is a small city with a relatively low crime rate. Crime in Morrilton, Arkansas, has declined by 35% over the past 10 years. Morrilton is safer than 57% of the cities in the state of Arkansas. Even though the Morrilton crime rate has fallen, it is still higher than the national average. A comprehensive 2018 crimes statistical report revealed that the Morrilton crime rate rose to 3,362.40 per 100,000, which is slightly higher than the national crime rate of 3,350.80 per 100,000.

There are 66 public schools in Morrilton, serving 11,811 students. Morrilton schools spend $13,092 per student. There are 34 pupils for every teacher. 47.7% of adults in Morrilton have a high school degree or higher. The median household income is $43,487, and the median rent is $723.

History

French explorer Jean Baptiste Bénard de la Harpe first visited the city in 1626, claiming the land for France. As an established community, Morrilton was created at the intersection of the Old Southwest Trail and the Point Remove—Petit Jean River—converging at the point where the Arkansas River could be crossed. Cherokee, Osage, and Choctaw had settled in parts of the region. Most early settlers arrived by 1790. The Louis Maupin Cemetery, four miles north of Morrilton, is evidence of their presence. The oldest headstone is dated 1848.

In the years prior to and following the Civil War, the area continued to grow. The Old River Terminal is the only remaining structure from that time frame in the city's early days.

Morrilton is also home to the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, which began as the Arkansas Valley technical Institute.

Morrilton has a mayor-council government with a city council composed of six aldermen, a recorder, and a mayor.

Morrilton has been inhabited by humans for millennia; indigenous tribes of Native Americans, including the Caddo, Osage, and Quapaw, all historically lived in Arkansas. Moreover, Morrilton was a crossroads; a Native American trail dating back to at least 1,000 B.C.—and possibly as far back as 8,000 B.C. (near the last ice age)—wound through the rough terrain of the area. The Old Southwest trail passes through Morrilton and crossed the Petit Jean River at the historic swinging bridge. Both north-south and east-west trails went through the downtown area.

The Old River Terminal, a historic river port, has been renovated and now hosts weddings, receptions, and other events. Located on the Petit Jean River, it was once a bustling terminal that linked goods and commodities to and from the Arkansas, White, and Mississippi Rivers. After being shut down in the 1950s, it slowly deteriorated. It is now in the National Register of Historic Places.