Izard County, Arkansas

Izard County Education, Geography, and History

Izard County is a county located in the state of Arkansas. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 13,696. The county seat is Melbourne. Izard County is Arkansas's thirteenth county, formed on October 27, 1825. The county is named for War of 1812 General and Arkansas Territorial Governor George Izard.

Etymology - Origin of Izard County Name

Izard is named for George Izard, a governor of the Arkansas Territory and general in the War of 1812. George Izard (21 October 1776 - 22 November 1828) was a General in the United States Army during the War of 1812 and a Governor of the Arkansas Territory.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts

Izard County History

Izard county was created in October 17, 1825, as the 13th county of the Territory of Arkansas from parts of Independence County, in which it was named after George Izard, the second Governor of the territory. Melbourne is the county seat. Izard County courthouse holds lots of history. It was built of brick and concrete faced with shaped, quarried native limestone and sits on a six-foot mound surrounded by a matching limestone retaining wall. A doughboy statue commemorating World War I county veterans, a historical marker, and a small hexagonal band shell sit on the courthouse ground. There still remains an original painting hanging in the courthouse warning "$5.00 fine to spit on floor, no exceptions." The Ozark hill country is good for raising cattle, and timber, and silica sand is found in the rivers. Small manufacturing has boosted the economy. The White River forms the southwestern border and provides recreation and fishing.  The Strawberry River is a good stream for floaters and on this river is located Horseshoe Bend, a resort retirement community featuring lakes, golf course, health spa, tennis facilities, and a shopping center. Two highways, No 9 and No 58, both offer scenic beauty. Calico Rock, a quaint old town, sits on the bluffs above the White River and offers its small-town charm. Many tourists visit Izard County each year recognizing that the county has a fragile environment, easy to destroy but impossible to replace .It is an alcohol prohibition or dry county.

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 584 square miles (1,510 km²), of which 581 square miles (1,500 km²) is land and 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²) (0.6%) is water.

The landscape of the county is rugged and mountainous. The rugged hill country offers hunting and natural Ozark beauty. A world-famous trout fishing river, the White, brings cold water from the depths of Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes, gradually warming near Batesville.

Neighboring Counties

Bordering counties are as follows:

• Northeast: Fulton County
• East: Sharp County
• Southeast: Independence County
• Southwest: Stone County
• Northwest: Baxter County

Education

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