In 1825 a trading post was established about a mile south of present-day Morrilton on the Arkansas River. This town, later named Lewisburg, thrived after being incorporated in 1844. In 1871 the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad built track through present day Morrilton. It was later named Morrilton after the previous landowners E.J. and George H. Morrill.[6] The downtown grew around the Morrills' land and that owned by James M. Moose. Residents of Lewisburg eventually moved away from the river and to the railroad hub at Morrilton. In 1883 Morrilton became the seat of Conway County, Arkansas.
Interstate 40 passes through the northern side of the city, leading southeast 48 miles (77 km) to Little Rock and west 107 miles (172 km) to Fort Smith. U.S. Route 64 (East and West Broadway Street) is the main road through the city center, leading east 6 miles (10 km) to Plumerville and northwest 13 miles (21 km) to Atkins. Arkansas Highway 9 forms an eastern bypass of Morrilton and leads north 40 miles (64 km) to Clinton and south across the Arkansas River 13 miles (21 km) to Perryville.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Morrilton has a total area of 9.2 square miles (23.7 km2), of which 8.7 square miles (22.6 km2) is land and 0.39 square miles (1.0 km2), or 4.29%, is water.[8]
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Morrilton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[9]
Climate data for Morrilton, Arkansas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1919–present)
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,992 people, 2,748 households, and 1,755 families residing in the city.
2010 census
As of the 2010 Census, 6,767 people and 2,759 households resided within the city.[14]
2000 census
2000 Census results showed 1,724 families residing in the city. The population density was 796.7 inhabitants per square mile (307.6/km2). There were 2,947 housing units at an average density of 358.4 per square mile (138.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 78.38% White, 17.47% Black or African American, 0.79% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.37% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. 3.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,645 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,007, and the median income for a family was $36,432. Males had a median income of $30,123 versus $19,213 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,957. About 13.4% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
Many sites located in Morrilton are on the National Register of Historical Places, including:
W. L. Wood House - A historic house at 709 North Morrill Street.
Museums
The Morrilton Depot Museum is located in the historic Morrilton Railroad Station and features history on the area. Adjoining the museum is a statue of the late Lt. Governor Winthrop Paul "Win" Rockefeller and the outdoor space is being developed as "Rockefeller Plaza" to honor the Lt. Governor and his father, Winthrop P. Rockefeller, the former Governor of Arkansas. [15]
The Museum of Automobiles is located on nearby Petit Jean Mountain and features a collection of antique and classic cars, motorcycles, guns, license plates, arcade machines and automobile memorabilia.
Outdoor Recreation
Petit Jean State Park is a 3,471-acre (1,405 ha) park near Morrilton and is managed by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. It is located atop Petit Jean Mountain adjacent to the Arkansas River in the area between the Ouachita Mountains and Ozark Plateaus. The park's many hiking trails, historic sites and natural features were the inspiration for the Arkansas State Parks system and continue to draw many visitors to the area. In 2023, the state park was voted as the Best State Park for RVing/Camping.[16]
Theatre
The Rialto Theatre in Downtown Morrilton has been in operation for over 100 years. It served as a movie house from 1911 until it was closed by United Artists in 1987. In 1995 the city acquired the building and a group of volunteers restored the theatre. It currently serves as a public arts facility hosting plays, concerts, public meetings, private events, and other happenings.
H.B. White Auditorium is on the campus of Morrilton High School. It serves as the main auditorium for the school district and hosts public events.
The city has operated under the Mayor-Council form of government since it was founded. The city currently elects 11 positions: Mayor, City Clerk, City Attorney, and eight Council Member positions. The eight council members are represented by two members from each of the city's four wards. The council members are Ward 1: Greg Wiedower, Benny Baker. Ward 2: Gary Koch, Isaac Decker. Ward 3: Richard Deluca, Aaron Spivey. Ward 4: Jim Bowles, Fred Hill. The current Mayor is Allen Lipsmeyer. The city employs over 100 individuals in nine different departments.
Most Conway County government offices are located in the city of Morrilton, including the Quorum, Circuit, District, and Juvenile Courts; and the Assessor, County Judge, County Coroner, County Attorney, and Public Defenders offices.
Morrilton's first public school for white students opened in 1881. 14 years later the first school for African-American students opened in 1895.[citation needed] In 1980 the East Side, Morrilton, and Plumerville School districts consolidated to form the new South Conway County district.[17]
Private schools
Sacred Heart Catholic School is the only private school in the city of Morrilton and was established in 1879. It is one of only two private Roman Catholic schools in Arkansas that serves PreK-12.
The city was home to Harding College, now Harding University of Searcy, Arkansas, for about a decade in the 1920s and 1930s. The original campus of Harding University is now the Southern Christian Home, a church-supported residential child care facility.
Public libraries
The Conway County Library is located at 101 West Church Street in Downtown Morrilton. The library was established in 1897 by the Pathfinder Club. It moved among members homes until 1916 when the Andrew Carnegie Foundation awarded the club a grant for a building. The Conway County Library is one of two public libraries in the state of Arkansas functioning from its original Carnegie building.
The Petit Jean Country Headlight is the largest newspaper in the city. It was established April 8, 1874 in Lewisburg before moving to Morrilton. It currently serves as a weekly newspaper and publishes on Wednesdays.
Radio
KVOM (AM) first began airing on Christmas Day 1952 and was started by J.C. Willis. KVOM-FM began broadcasting on 101.7 MHz FM in 1979.
Television
Morrilton Community Channel 6 started on the local cable system during the 1990s. It currently broadcasts local events on channel 6 and their website.
