According to Educationvv, Columbia County, Arkansas is located in the southwestern corner of the state with a population of approximately 20,000. It is bordered by Hempstead County to the east, Nevada and Lafayette Counties to the north, Ouachita County to the west, and Union and Calhoun Counties to the south. The county seat is Magnolia which is also its largest city.
The county was formed in 1852 from portions of Hempstead and Ouachita counties and was named after Christopher Columbus. Columbia county also contains seven incorporated cities; Magnolia, Emerson, McNeil, Stephens, Waldo, Taylor and Thornton.
Columbia County has an area of 844 square miles with 476 square miles being land and 368 square miles being water. The terrain varies from flat delta farmland in the southern part of the county to rolling hills further north where elevation can reach up to 500 feet above sea level. The terrain is mostly covered by pine trees with some hardwoods mixed in at higher elevations.
The climate in Columbia County is humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters with average temperatures ranging from 33-77 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. Rainfall averages around 50 inches per year making it one of Arkansas’s wettest counties while snowfall averages around 5 inches per year making it one of Arkansas’s least snowy counties.
The economy in Columbia County relies heavily on agriculture as well as tourism due to its proximity to Lake Columbia which draws visitors from all over Arkansas for fishing and other outdoor activities. In addition, there are several small businesses located throughout the county that provide goods or services to local residents as well as visitors passing through on their way to other destinations nearby such as Hot Springs National Park or Little Rock.
History of Columbia County, Arkansas
Columbia County, Arkansas has a rich and diverse history with roots that date back to the early 1800s. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes including the Caddo, Choctaw, and Tunica peoples before it was ceded to the United States in 1819. The county was created in 1852 from portions of Hempstead and Ouachita counties and named after Christopher Columbus.
During the Civil War, Columbia County saw a great deal of conflict as Union forces occupied Magnolia in 1863. The area saw considerable action over the next several years with battles being fought at places such as Jenkins’ Ferry and Poison Springs which resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. After the war ended Columbia County began to rebuild and slowly recovered from its wartime losses.
The late 1800s saw an influx of settlers from other parts of Arkansas as well as from other states who were attracted by the area’s abundant resources including timber, oil, and natural gas. This led to an increase in population as well as economic growth which continued into the early 20th century with Magnolia becoming an important rail hub for southwestern Arkansas.
The Great Depression hit Columbia County hard but it managed to survive due largely to its agricultural base which provided jobs for local residents during this difficult time. After World War II, Columbia County experienced a period of growth with new industries establishing themselves in the area such as lumber mills, brick factories, and food processing plants that provided much needed jobs for local residents while also helping to diversify the county’s economy.
Today, Columbia County is home to approximately 20,000 people who enjoy a high quality of life thanks to its diverse economy which includes agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, retail trade, health care services and more. It also boasts many natural attractions such as Lake Columbia which draws visitors from all over Arkansas for fishing and other outdoor activities making it an ideal place for those looking to explore Yavapai County’s many offerings.
Major cities and towns in Columbia County, Arkansas
The largest city in Columbia County, Arkansas is Magnolia, which is the county seat. This city of approximately 11,000 people is home to the Southern Arkansas University and a variety of businesses and industries. It also boasts many historical sites including the historic downtown square and Magnolia Confederate Monument.
McNeil is a small town located just north of Magnolia with a population of around 600 people. This town was founded in 1855 and was named after an early settler named William McNeil. Today, it is home to several businesses as well as a museum dedicated to local history.
Taylor is another small town located in Columbia County with a population of about 500 people. It was named after the Taylor family who were among the first settlers in the area and today it serves as an important hub for agricultural activity in the region.
Holly Springs is another small community located just east of Taylor with a population of around 300 people. The town was named after nearby Holly Springs Lake which was once used by Native Americans for fishing before being ceded to the United States in 1819. Today, it serves as an important center for timber production in Columbia County.
Stephens is located just south of Magnolia and has a population of about 350 people. The town was originally settled by members of the Stephens family who were among the earliest settlers in this part of Arkansas and today it serves as an important hub for local businesses and industries such as lumber production, oil refining, food processing, brick manufacturing, and more.
Emerson is located near Taylor with a population of around 250 people. This small community was originally settled by several families from Tennessee led by William Emerson who served as one of Columbia County’s earliest sheriffs during its formative years before becoming mayor later on in life.
Columbia County also includes several unincorporated communities such as Beulah which has been home to generations of farmers since its founding in 1848; Buckner which has served as an important trading post since its inception; El Dorado which has been home to many generations since its founding; Fletcher which has been known for its timber production since its inception; Pansy which has been known for its brick manufacturing since its founding; Watsonville which has served as an important agricultural center since its inception; and Wilmot which served as an important center for oil refining during much of 20th century before transitioning to other industries more recently.
Airports in Columbia County, Arkansas
According to countryaah.com, Columbia County, Arkansas is home to several airports that serve as important hubs for air travel and commerce in the region. The county is home to two public-use airports, Magnolia Municipal Airport (M18) and Taylor Municipal Airport (M27). Both of these airports provide general aviation services such as aircraft rental, flight instruction, and sightseeing tours.
Magnolia Municipal Airport is located three miles southwest of Magnolia and is owned by the City of Magnolia. It covers an area of 80 acres and has one runway designated 18/36 with an asphalt surface measuring 4,200 feet in length. The airport has a self-serve fuel station on site and offers a variety of services including hangars, tie downs, aircraft maintenance facilities, and flight training.
Taylor Municipal Airport is located five miles northeast of Taylor and is owned by the City of Taylor. It covers an area of 66 acres and has one runway designated 17/35 with an asphalt surface measuring 3,400 feet in length. The airport offers a variety of services including hangars, tie downs, aircraft maintenance facilities, flight instruction, aircraft rental services, pilot supplies store with snacks & beverages for sale on site.
The county also includes several private-use airports such as Holly Springs Ranch Airport (4AR6), El Dorado Field (2AR4), Fletcher Field (7A5), Pansy Landing Strip (1AR3), Watsonville Airpark (AR18), Wilmot Airfield (6AR8). All these airports are privately owned but offer various aviation-related services such as hangar rentals for aircraft storage or repair work; tie downs for parking; fuel sales; flight instruction; sightseeing tours; crop dusting; aerial photography; skydiving activities etc.
Columbia County has several airports that offer a wide range of aviation-related services to its citizens as well as visitors from outside the region who are looking to explore this beautiful corner of Arkansas from high above the ground.
