Learn more about Sevier County, Arkansas

Welcome to Sevier County Arkansas, where creeks and culture unite.

Southwest Arkansas is a unique place of history, natural beauty, deep flavors, and a revitalized desire for growth and expansion. And, our corner of the region provides unique culinary experiences, quiet waters to rest and relax, gravel roads that welcome bikes and runners, wildlife and trails that need to be explored and growing communities that make a great place to settle down.

So, whether you arrived here looking for a quiet weekend, deep water for fishing, a place to rest on your way to another destination, or just curious to find out more, we hope you will click around, find what you are looking for and then come visit us!

Where can I SHOP | DINE | STAY | PLAY in Sevier County Arkansas?

History of Sevier County

Sevier County Arkansas has a history that dates back nearly 10,000 years, as far was know!. Our original establishment on October 17, 1828, included parts of Miller, Little River, Pike, Howard, and Hempstead counties. Five days later, the county seat was established at the home of Joseph English and the area around his home was called Paraclifta, in honor of a Choctaw chief who was instrumental in peacefully settling disputes.

Later, the county center was moved to what is now known as “downtown Lockesburg” and was named for the esteemed Locke brothers who funded much of the economic development at the time. The area where many of us make a turn onto State Hwy 371 was once the town square with restaurants, hotels, and thriving businesses. The Lockesburg Hardware Store, Jim’s Boot Shop, Nadine’s Cafe, and Lockesburg Grocery, along with the Nationally Registered Churches that surround them, are all that remain of a thriving region.

Part of the permanent change for the center of Sevier County was the arrival of the Railroad. Arthur Stilwell and his expansion team at the what is now the Kansas City Southern railroad approached the Lockesburg community and they did not want the railroad to come through their area. So, a small community, Hurrah City, was discovered and no problems were found to drive the railroad right through their open terrain. As the railroad was completed, tents and shanties were built as people flocked to this new area for potential commerce.

Along the way, Stilwell ran out of funds and approached a Dutch coffee merchant about funding the project he dreamed of completing. Jan de Goeijen provided the funds that completed the railroad project through Sevier County to present day Port Arthur, Texas. In honor of his contribution, Stilwell and others named the new town along the railroad in Sevier County, De Queen - the way his last name sounded to their American ears.

As the city along the railroad grew with new business and families sprouting up and establishing neighborhoods, it seemed fitting to move the county seat to De Queen. While Lockesburg residents fought to keep the seat, they eventually lost it in 1905 and the town of De Queen has continued to grow.

Over time, an early mining company near White Cliffs, restaurants like Hill’s, timber giants like Weyerhaeuser, and later the poultry industry have made this farming community a place to thrive, enjoy the outdoors, explore quiet spaces and beautiful views on hidden trail, and raise families.

While the first “settlers” of these area are those listed above, it is also known that the Caddo Indians once inhabited the land we now call home. Our community was the center of their commerce and ritual gathering sites. They were a community built on hunting, farming, and navigated the creeks and streams much like we do along old Farm to Market wagon routes. The Caddo Indians were a skilled people both in commerce and community development, but also pottery and painting artwork. Their artifacts have long been a study of the Arkansas Archaeological Survey and Society and the 2019 Summer Intern program allowed Arkansas Historians and the Caddo Indian Nation Board to build new knowledge of the original settlers of Southwest Arkansas.

If you want to know more about the historical roots of Sevier County, connect with the Sevier County Historical Society or the Sevier County Museum.

What can you do in Sevier County today?

We are so glad you asked. Whether you are looking for opportunities to shop, dine, stay, or play, we are a perfect destination. For many, we are a stop along the route. Many of our restaurants offer a unique Mexican cuisine that has some driving over 100 miles just for the perfect taco. For others, we are a spot to camp out for the week while resting beside the Cossatot River or using one local spot for a week of day trips. Still, some stop in to shop around town for furniture, unique handmade jewelry, art, fish fry mix, and jellies, or specialty clothing pieces.

Our downtown area serves as the hub of the Southwest Arkansas Knifemaking community and consequently sets us up for many extra visitors, including monthly international travelers. Our lakes offer recreational opportunities for fishermen (and women!), families wanting to play in the water, or retirees seeking quiet places to park and RV, rest, read and drink a cup of coffee.

Many travel to Sevier County in search of an al pastor taco or carne asada nachos, and they find it at one of many taco trucks in each of our towns. Horatio Hometown Trade Days are held each weekend April through October and have become a highlight of the weekend for locals and “treasure” seekers.

The recent restoration of the Historic Lockesburg Gym, a National Historically Registered landmark, has become home to Colts and Lady Colts basketball team as well as a venue for community and little league teams. Each fall, it also hosts the Blue Darter Festival and Community Fish Fry.

The Caddo Indian nation originally called our region home, and in recent years the Arkansas Archaeological Society has spent their summer exploring the ancient Lockesburg Mounds and Hollman Springs properties connecting a well-traversed Native American commerce and ritual site to the center of the Caddos.

In 2017, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson recognized Sevier County as home to the official dinosaur of the state of Arkansas, Arkansaurus Frydai. In 1972, a local citizen was out in his fields completing and evening check on his cattle when he noticed something different on the edge of his field. His discovery was the bones of a dinosaur that are now part of a museum in Fayetteville and are continually being researched by paleontologists to learn more about our region during the time it lived here.