JOHNSON COUNTY HISTORY

Johnson County was created from a portion of Pope County, by the Act of November 16, 1833, and was named Johnson honoring the first Territorial Judge of Arkansas, Judge Benjamin Johnson. The Act creating the county, directed the temporary seat of justice should be held at the home of Elijah Alson, son of the pioneers of the county and whose home was at the Spadra Boat landing. In 1836 the County Seat was established here after Mr. Josiah Cravens offered 1/4 mile square on Spadra Creek free to the Commissioners if they would locate the County Seat here. Clarksville was named honoring Loenzo N. Clarke another large land owner of the County, and one of the Commissioners who was chosen to locate the County Seat. As early as 1828 there were a few white settlers here and still some Indians. The river boat landings at Spadra Bluff, Morrisons Bluff and Pittsburg Landings were the main river landings in our County. Those who came on barges had to land at one or the other of these places. Numerous wagon trains from Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Kentucky brought many of our early settlers. They were all looking for good farm land and plenty of water. Johnson County covers 700 square miles, there are five incorporated towns in our county, our population is 18,221 and Clarksville's population is 5,833. The first blind school in the state was organized here in Clarksville-also the first deaf-mute school was here in 1850. Clarksville was incorporated December 21, 1848.

The College of the Ozarks originated in Cane Hill, Arkansas, Washington County in 1834, was chartered in 1852, then was moved to Clarksville in 1891.

Our first Spadra Creek Bridge was built in 1852. The same location has been used for every bridge that has been built ascending East Hill, on East Main Street, as have the same locations been used for the Court House as the first one built in 1838. Every Methodist Church since the first one built in 1843, has been built on the same location. The College of the Ozarks School of Pharmacy in 1946 was the first in the state.

The first free delivery of rural mail in Arkansas was begun in Johnson County in 1896. We've had one or more banks in Clarksville since 1901. The first Educational Association in the State was organized in Clarksville, April 12, 1869, and was incorporated on February 23, 1881.

Many Indian signs can be found over the county. One called "the Rock House", is a cave of red sandstone. On the walls are many figures of turtles, lizards, and other reptiles. Other places too numerous to mention have turned up arrow heads and Indian relics.

There is no region of this state where the towering ranges of the Ozarks loom up more majestically. The Boston and Mulberry Mountains traverse the northern areas of the county to the Arkansas River. The Mountains afford the widest and loveliest prospects it is possible to conceive.

History by: Lilian Mickel

RAYMOND MUNGER MEMORIAL CHAPEL (University of the Ozarks Campus) The chapel is a two-story church designed in the collegiate Gothic Style. The building was designed by Rogers architect A.0. Clark and constructed in 1932 under the direction of contractor Gomer Kraus. Of particular note are the pointed arch windows that light the nave, the buttressed single-story aisles and die ashlar faced stone that enhances the churches medieval character.

(comer of Johnson and Main Street) The Missouri-Pacific Depot in Clarksville is a single-story, brick masonry freight and passenger railroad depot designed in the Mediterranean style that was popular for this building type during the 1st quarter of the 20th century. Constructed circa 1910, the Clarksville depot was originally covered by a ceramic tile roof, the primary feature which gives the depot a Mediterranean flavor. Although composition shingles now cover the hipped roof, the original Italianate brackets under the wide projecting eaves remain as does the unique parapeted cross gable over the three-sided telegrapher's bay. The depot is currently owned by the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce. Listed 6/11/92

The Dunlap House, designed by Charles Thompson in 1910, is a large two-story American Foursquare house with an unusually decorative front door featuring a large beveled oval glass window linked by two similar oval sidelights and its porch which covers only part of the principle facade. A very visible building in Clarksville, the Dunlap House is being restored to its original condition. Listed 12/22/92.

OARK GENERAL STORE (East of Highway 215) The Oark General Store was built circa 1902 with siding added in 1942 and two additions made to the structure in 1943 and 1995. Listed 1995.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (212 College Avenue) The First Presbyterian church built in 1919 was listed on 5/13/91 with statewide significance as the extraordinary work of a master. Designed by the architect A.0. Clark from Rogers, Arkansas, it stands as the finest example of Classical Revival architecture in Clarksville and in Johnson County. Its octagonal dome, columned corner entrance portico and large, arched stained glass windows distinguish it as an exceptionally erudite and high-style example of this particular style.

The McKennon House was built in 1868 in Adam-like style. It is a two-story, red, common-bond brick building possessing the lightness and delicacy of the Adam style. The two-story, flat roof hexastyle portico has a light and airy effect created by the wide spacing of the tapered square columns. Typical of the Adam style are the double doorways that are centered on the upper and lower levels of the facade. Each has half-round fanlights and flanking sidelights. The upper-level entry opens out onto a balcony with delicate bausters and turned corner-posts. The significance of the house is further emphasized by the state, local, and national prominence that McKennon gained in governmental affairs.

PIONEER HOUSE (Highway 123 & Hospital Drive, next to Heritage Inn) The Pioneer House is the oldest documented structure in Johnson County. Built circa 1850 of hand-hewn virgin southern yellow pine, the single-room log structure reflects a skillful use of the half-hewn, half-dovetail notch construction technique. The log cabin evolved into a larger one and a half story late nineteenth century log and frame farmhouse covered by weather board siding. An exterior chimney of native field stone dominates the east wall, and another interior brick chimney is found in the frame addition. The Pioneer House rest upon a dry laid continuous stone foundation. The remains of a stone well and milk house are located to the southwest of the structure. The original builder is not known for certain. Listed 3/1/95.
McKENNON HOUSE (115 Grandview) The McKennon House on Grandview was built in 1907 and designed by Charles Thompson. Unusual features are the oval window centered in the second story, appearing just above the apex of the pedimented portico, and the Palladian window decorating the front dormer. The door features beveled plate glass and sidelights. The sash windows have one-over-one lights. The house was built for Dr. A.M. McKennon on a large lot overlooking Clarksville. Listed 12/22/82.
JOHNSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE Main Street The Johnson county Courthouse is significant as the best example of federally funded Classical Revival style structures built in Johnson County during the Depression era. The building is in excellent condition and possesses exceptional integrity. The interior of the courthouse is practically original. The second-story courtroom with it's lavish dark stained woodwork and ornately carved broken pediments and pilasters accurately reflect the look and atmosphere of a 1930's era courtroom. With the exception of some door replacements, the exterior is virtually unaltered and continues to remain one of the grander aspects of the Depression. Listed 6/14/91.

The Davis House was built in 1915. It was designed by Charles Thompson, the same as the McKennon House. This two story American Foursquare house is crowned by a high pyramid roof with overhanging eaves lined with exposed rafters. The large curving wrap-around porch features paired Tuscan columns supporting a full entablature enriched with modillion blocks at the base of the cornice. A distinguishing feature of this house is the central dorm capped with a curved Flemish gable roof outlined with molding. The door has beveled glass and a simple transom. The larger sash windows have eight-over-one lighting. Listed 12/22/82.

Situated in the scenic mountains of the Ozark National Forest, the Big Piney Creek Bridge was built in 1931, and is a one lane, steel Warren truss of total length of 461 feet. This version of the Warren truss is unusual in that it uses verticals and diagonal and vertical sub-struts. Big Piney Creek Bridge is in good condition and is being maintained as vehicular bridge. Listed 4/9/90.

Serpent Cave's features, among other designs, is a pictograph of a profiled human head connected to a serpent body. While the Kings Canyon Petroglyphs are pecked or incised designs in rock carved by the aboriginal inhabitants of the area. To protect the fragility of this prehistoric art and to safeguard against possible vandalism, the addresses to these sites are restricted. Listed 5/4/92.

Built in 1915-1917 about eight miles north of Clarksville. It is a single-story, stone masonry church designed in a simplified Gothic Revival Style. It is significant as the best local example of a church combining the native Ozark stone construction tradition and the nationally popular Gothic Revival style of architecture.

The Pennington House was built between 1888-1891 and is a two-story, wood frame residence combining the Folk Victorian and Italianate architectural styles. Listed 1994/95.

LINKS

• Johnson County Historical Society Web Site
• CEMETERY Index Johnson County, Arkansas
• Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet

FOR INFO

Johnson County Historical Society
C/O Corresponding Secretary
PO Box 505
Clarksville, AR 72830-0505