150 years in the making
Illustration by Brittney Guest

It is often hard to believe the change that the last decade has brought to the city of Jonesboro and Craighead County, even for those who watched the developments of the last 10 years unfold before their own eyes.

A few milestones in the city’s most recent chapter of history:
• Land that not so long ago was utilized as a cow pasture was developed into prime real estate in the city as it became home to The Mall at Turtle Creek in 2006, the retail shopping mecca for Northeast Arkansas.

• Revitalization efforts in Downtown Jonesboro have made major strides in transforming the historic area into a vibrant development with an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and residential living spaces.

• Also in 2006, public transportation became a reality for city residents when the Jonesboro Economical Transit Service began operation. JETS buses are now a common sight in the city as they travel along four fixed routes transporting residents and visitors from one location to another.

• With a population of more than 63,000, Jonesboro became the fifth largest city in Arkansas and through the efforts of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce and city, county and state officials, the city continues to see its industrial sector expand with the recruitment of companies such as Post, Nestle, Frito Lay, Alberto Culver, Nice-Pak and Nordex.

• On the campus of Arkansas State University, now celebrating its 100th year, the addition of facilities such as Fowler Center, home to Riceland Hall, Bradbury Gallery and the ASU Department of Theatre since 2001, and the opening of the new $18 million Student Union and the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, both in 2004, have changed the landscape of the campus and enhanced educational opportunities for students. Dr. Robert Potts was selected as the first chancellor of ASU-Jonesboro in 2006, with Dr. Les Wyatt becoming the first president of the ASU System. In 2008, ASU retired its athletic nickname and mascot, “Indians” and the Indian family, and unveiled the Red Wolves as the new face of ASU and ASU athletics. Student enrollment has continued to grow with the Jonesboro campus reaching a new record enrollment of 11,551 in September 2008.

As Jonesboro’s Sesquicentennial Celebration culminates this month with additional events and festivities, city residents will have the opportunity to celebrate and reflect upon not only events of recent history, but also events throughout the city’s 150-year history that led to the creation of present day Jonesboro. A few historical facts that were important in Jonesboro’s first 50 years of development as described in a brief history on the city’s web site include:

• Indians were the first settlers of the city. Voyagers, trappers, Indian traders and explorers were present shortly after 1800 trading with the Indians for furs and pelts, but no attempt at permanent settlement was made prior to 1815.

• Jonesboro was selected as the permanent seat of justice in 1859 when the county was formed from parts of Mississippi, Greene and Poinsett counties.

• The city was named after William A. Jones for his support of the legislative act creating the county. Jones also played a part in a practical joke that led to the naming of Craighead County. Sen. Thomas B. Craighead, who represented Crittenden and Mississippi counties, was against the formation of the county and campaigned actively against it. Senator Jones waited until a day when Craighead was absent to call for a vote on the act. Senator Craighead reportedly didn’t know anything about the legislation until he returned and found that the county had been named for him.

• At the time Jonesboro was incorporated, it had a population of 150.

• After Jonesboro had been selected as the permanent seat of justice, a two-story frame courthouse was planned. The site was chosen because it had the highest elevation in the city limits at that time. Plans for the building were delayed, however, because the proposed site was located in the middle of a deer trail and the early settlers feared it would ruin their good hunting. The original courthouse stood until Feb. 14, 1869, when it was consumed by fire. A frame store across the street was then rented and used as a courthouse until 1876, when it also burned. A similar building was then erected on the same ground and used as a court house until 1878, when it was destroyed in a general fire that burned most of the businesses in the downtown area. The fire reportedly started in a bar room brawl.

• 1n 1860, the first complete census was made in Jonesboro, totaling 1,160.

• The first railroads reached Jonesboro in 1881, when the Cotton Belt Railroad laid its tracks just north of town. The first train stuck on a hill outside of town and the supplies had to be carried up the hill.

• In 1900, Jonesboro’s first real department store was established The Grand Leader Department Store.

• In 1903, the first long distance calls were made by Southwestern Telephone and Telegraph Company.

• In 1907, the Y.M.C.A. was established in the city.

• In 1909, Jonesboro saw its first horseless carriages which included the one-cylinder Cadillac and Reo. The Reo had a top speed of 18 miles per hour, and it took two hours to get to Nettleton (now part of Jonesboro’s city limits) and six hours to Paragould, then 24 miles away.

The city of Jonesboro has numerous events planned during the first week of October to commemorate the city’s sesquicentennial including a free concert by Night Ranger in Downtown Jonesboro on Oct. 3. For a complete list of activities, visit www.jonesboro.org/150.