Malvern, Arkansas | |
|---|---|
 Downtown Malvern | |
| Nickname: Brick Capital of the World | |
 Location of Malvern in Hot Spring County, Arkansas. | |
  Malvern Location within thecontiguous United States of America | |
| Coordinates:34°21′50″N92°48′39″W / 34.36389°N 92.81083°W /34.36389; -92.81083 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Arkansas |
| County | Hot Spring |
| Townships | Butterfield, Fenter |
| Incorporated | July 22, 1876 |
| Named after | Malvern Hill,Virginia |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–Council |
| • Council | Malvern City Council |
| Area | |
• Total | 9.92 sq mi (25.69 km2) |
| • Land | 9.86 sq mi (25.55 km2) |
| • Water | 0.054 sq mi (0.14 km2) |
| Elevation | 315 ft (96 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 10,867 |
• Estimate (2024) | 11,082 |
| • Density | 1,101.7/sq mi (425.38/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 72104 |
| Area code | 501 |
| FIPS code | 05-43610 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405001[2] |
| Major airport | Adams Field (LIT) |
| Website | malvernar |
Malvern is a city in and thecounty seat ofHot Spring County,Arkansas, United States. Founded as a railroad stop at the eastern edge of theOuachita Mountains, the community's history and economy have been tied to available agricultural and mineral resources. The production ofbricks from locally available clay has earned the city the nickname, "The Brick Capital of the World". The city had a population of 10,318 at the time of the2010 census,[3] and in 2019 the estimated population was 10,931.[4]
Named afterMalvern Hill,Virginia,[5] Malvern was founded in 1870 by the Cairo and Fulton Railroad as a city site 21 miles (34 km) southeast ofHot Springs. On October 15, 1878, Malvern officially became the county seat of Hot Spring County. The original inhabitants of the county were Native Americans, trappers, hunters, and farmers.
TheHot Springs Railroad, often referred to as the Diamond Jo line, was established as anarrow-gauge railroad byChicago businessman Joseph Reynolds in 1874.[6][7] Reynolds began building the Hot Springs Railroad, which extends northwest from Malvern Junction, a station on the Cairo & Fulton, to Hot Springs, after he had endured unsatisfactorystagecoach rides to the latter city. Because Malvern was the closest railroad station to Hot Springs, it became an important junction point for passengers transferring from rail to stagecoach to complete their journey to the spas in Hot Springs. This was the only railroad into Hot Springs for 15 years. The opening of the Little Rock & Hot Springs Western Railroad in April 1900 provided a more direct access to Hot Springs fromLittle Rock and the north, and both the Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf and the Iron Mountain took advantage of this route, effectively cutting the volume of interchange traffic into Malvern. By 1902 passenger train shuttle service through Malvern had essentially ended.[8]
The Malvern Police Department lost Carson Smith, the deputy, and three officers in the line of duty, all shot to death during the 1930s. They were Clyde Davis,[9] Leslie Lee Potts,[10] and Hiram Potts.[11] Davis and Leslie Lee Potts were both shot during a domestic dispute on April 21, 1933, a shootout in which they killed the suspect. Hiram Potts, who was related to Leslie Lee Potts, was shot and killed during his March 4, 1935, attempt to arrest two men who were boarding a train illegally.[citation needed]
During World War II, hundreds of Malvernites moved to the Los Angeles area to take advantage of work in the shipyards—apparently spurred by a couple of residents who found work there and wrote home boasting of 88-cent/hour jobs, which was a decent wage for the time.[12]
Malvern is in northeastern Hot Spring County, southeast of theOuachita River where it exits theOuachita Mountains. It is bordered to the north byRockport and to the east byPerla.
Interstate 30 passes through the northwest part of Malvern, with access from Exits 97, 98, and 99. I-30 leads northeast 44 miles (71 km) toLittle Rock, the state capital, and southwest 100 miles (160 km) toTexarkana.U.S. Route 67 (Page Avenue) runs through the center of Malvern, leading northeast 22 miles (35 km) toBenton and southwest 25 miles (40 km) toArkadelphia.U.S. Route 270 passes northeast of Malvern on a bypass, leading east 24 miles (39 km) toSheridan and northwest 20 miles (32 km) toHot Springs.Arkansas Highway 9 (Main Street) leads south from the center of Malvern 64 miles (103 km) toCamden.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, Malvern has a total area of 8.7 square miles (22.6 km2), of which 8.6 square miles (22.4 km2) are land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km2), or 0.79%, are water.[13]
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to theKöppen Climate Classification system, Malvern has ahumid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[14]
| Climate data for Malvern, Arkansas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1883–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 81 (27) | 88 (31) | 91 (33) | 96 (36) | 101 (38) | 107 (42) | 114 (46) | 112 (44) | 109 (43) | 100 (38) | 89 (32) | 82 (28) | 114 (46) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 71.1 (21.7) | 74.8 (23.8) | 82.0 (27.8) | 86.2 (30.1) | 89.9 (32.2) | 95.5 (35.3) | 99.0 (37.2) | 100.0 (37.8) | 95.5 (35.3) | 89.1 (31.7) | 78.3 (25.7) | 72.3 (22.4) | 101.3 (38.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 51.8 (11.0) | 56.1 (13.4) | 65.0 (18.3) | 73.7 (23.2) | 80.6 (27.0) | 88.1 (31.2) | 91.9 (33.3) | 91.6 (33.1) | 85.7 (29.8) | 74.8 (23.8) | 62.1 (16.7) | 53.7 (12.1) | 72.9 (22.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 40.6 (4.8) | 44.1 (6.7) | 52.5 (11.4) | 60.9 (16.1) | 69.6 (20.9) | 77.3 (25.2) | 80.9 (27.2) | 80.0 (26.7) | 73.9 (23.3) | 62.5 (16.9) | 50.6 (10.3) | 42.9 (6.1) | 61.3 (16.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 29.4 (−1.4) | 32.2 (0.1) | 40.0 (4.4) | 48.1 (8.9) | 58.6 (14.8) | 66.5 (19.2) | 70.0 (21.1) | 68.4 (20.2) | 62.1 (16.7) | 50.2 (10.1) | 39.0 (3.9) | 32.1 (0.1) | 49.7 (9.8) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 14.5 (−9.7) | 19.7 (−6.8) | 24.0 (−4.4) | 32.6 (0.3) | 44.3 (6.8) | 56.7 (13.7) | 63.0 (17.2) | 61.4 (16.3) | 48.2 (9.0) | 34.2 (1.2) | 24.6 (−4.1) | 19.0 (−7.2) | 12.3 (−10.9) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −11 (−24) | −10 (−23) | 11 (−12) | 24 (−4) | 33 (1) | 44 (7) | 51 (11) | 43 (6) | 31 (−1) | 25 (−4) | 9 (−13) | −2 (−19) | −11 (−24) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 4.24 (108) | 4.59 (117) | 5.55 (141) | 6.05 (154) | 5.53 (140) | 4.64 (118) | 4.21 (107) | 3.68 (93) | 3.95 (100) | 4.63 (118) | 5.04 (128) | 5.37 (136) | 57.48 (1,460) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.5 (1.3) | 0.5 (1.3) | 0.2 (0.51) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 1.2 (3.0) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 8.1 | 8.4 | 9.8 | 8.9 | 10.3 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 7.6 | 6.2 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 9.1 | 99.6 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 |
| Source:NOAA[15][16] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 1,520 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,582 | 4.1% | |
| 1910 | 2,778 | 75.6% | |
| 1920 | 3,364 | 21.1% | |
| 1930 | 5,115 | 52.1% | |
| 1940 | 5,290 | 3.4% | |
| 1950 | 8,072 | 52.6% | |
| 1960 | 9,566 | 18.5% | |
| 1970 | 8,739 | −8.6% | |
| 1980 | 10,163 | 16.3% | |
| 1990 | 9,256 | −8.9% | |
| 2000 | 9,021 | −2.5% | |
| 2010 | 10,318 | 14.4% | |
| 2020 | 10,867 | 5.3% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 11,082 | 2.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[17] | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 6,492 | 59.74% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 3,050 | 28.07% |
| Native American | 36 | 0.33% |
| Asian | 48 | 0.44% |
| Pacific Islander | 8 | 0.07% |
| Other/Mixed | 609 | 5.6% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 624 | 5.74% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 10,867 people, 3,911 households, and 2,407 families residing in the city.
As of thecensus of 2000, there were 9,021 people, 3,769 households, and 2,431 families residing in the city,[19] and its population density was 1,227.1 inhabitants per square mile (473.8/km2). There were 4,193 housing units at an average density of 570.4 units per square mile (220.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 68.16%White, 28.66%Black orAfrican American, 0.35%Native American, 0.29%Asian, 0.07%Pacific Islander, 0.53% fromother races, and 1.94% from two or more races. 1.26% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
The city had 3,769 households, out of which 29.0% contained children under the age of 18, 44.1% weremarried couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.93. Additionally, 25.0% of the city's population were under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years; for every 100 females there were 85.0 males and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,007, and the median income for a family was $34,563. Males had a median income of $27,232 versus $18,929 for females and theper capita income for the city was $14,848. About 15.7% of families and 20.3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 27.6% of those under age 18, and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.
The city is home to threeAcme Brick plants and several other manufacturing companies, includingWeyerhaeuser,Borden Chemical, Adams Face Veneer Company, andPactiv. It is also the home of Grapette International, the manufacturer ofGrapette soda. Malvern is the location of theOuachita River Unit, a medium security prison.
Every year on the last weekend of June, Malvern City Park hosts Brickfest, an event that fills the city with music, food and activities that include a brick toss, brick car derby, and a best-dressed brick contest. Malvern also hosts Malvern Cruise Nite once a month, and the Hot Spring County Fair and Rodeo each fall.[20]
History in Malvern can be found throughout the central city, including tenNational Register of Historic Places listings.[21] Located at 210 Locust Street in downtown Malvern, theart deco Hot Spring County Courthouse has been the center of county government since its construction in 1936.[22] Also located downtown is theBank of Malvern building, historically notable both for its distinct variation ofRichardsonian Romanesque architecture and its importance in transitioning Malvern from an agricultural-based economy to one based on industry. The Hot Spring County Museum is located in the Boyle House at 302 East Third Street in Malvern.[23]
Malvern hosts one of two whitewater parks in the state of Arkansas, located on the Ouachita River. (The other park is inSiloam Springs.) Used for training Olympic kayakers and river rescue teams, the river-wide ledge runs year-round, and is dam-released. Azip line and nature hike are available along Ouachita Bend.
Public education for early childhood, elementary and secondary school students within the Malvern city limits is provided byMalvern School District, which leads to graduation fromMalvern High School.[24]
Glen Rose School District ofGlen Rose (includingGlen Rose High School) andMagnet Cove School District (includingMagnet Cove High School) have Malvern postal addresses,[25][26] but have no facilities in Malvern and do not include any portion of the Malvern city limits.[24]
The city's newspaper is theMalvern Daily Record, established in 1916. It publishes an afternoon edition Tuesday through Friday with a Saturday morning "Weekend Edition"[27] The city also has two radio stations,KLBL (101.5), a Classic Hits format, and KZYP AM-1310, a sports station.
Malvern is connected on road byInterstate 30,U.S. Route 270, andU.S. Route 67.Amtrak'sTexas Eagle provides daily passenger train service toMalvern on a route extending fromChicago toDallas andLos Angeles, and railroad freight service to Malvern is provided by theUnion Pacific Railroad and theArkansas Midland Railroad, the latter operating over the route of the originalHot Springs Railroad. The Malvern Municipal Airport (FAA Identifier: M78) serves the Malvern area.
14334 Hwy 67, Malvern, AR 72104- The place isnot in theMalvern city limits.
472 Magnet School Road Malvern, AR 72104-The place is in the Magnet Cove census-designated place; it isnot in the Malvern city limits.
Municipalities and communities ofHot Spring County, Arkansas,United States | ||
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