Jonesboro Information History
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Jonesboro is the 5th largest city in Arkansas and the largest city in northeast Arkansas. According to the 2000
census current population is 55,515. Jonesboro is located in Craighead county and is approximately 82 square
miles. Jonesboro is the county seat of Craighead county and home to the Craighed county fair. Arkansas
State University ( ASU ) is located in Jonesboro and is the second largest college in the state. Jonesboro is
home to many industrial companies including Riceland Foods Inc., the worlds leader in rice production and
exportation. Jonesboro is home to many real estate companies, banks, shopping areas, parks, restaurants,
doctors, and the new Mall at Turtle Creek. The Mall at Turtle Creek was completed in March of 2006 at an
approxiamte cost of $100,000,000 and is the largest in northeast Arkansas. In May 2006 Jonesboro started its
first public transportation system known as Jonesboro Economical Transit System or JETS. The JETS system is
comprised of 5 buses that run regularly scheduled routes.
census current population is 55,515. Jonesboro is located in Craighead county and is approximately 82 square
miles. Jonesboro is the county seat of Craighead county and home to the Craighed county fair. Arkansas
State University ( ASU ) is located in Jonesboro and is the second largest college in the state. Jonesboro is
home to many industrial companies including Riceland Foods Inc., the worlds leader in rice production and
exportation. Jonesboro is home to many real estate companies, banks, shopping areas, parks, restaurants,
doctors, and the new Mall at Turtle Creek. The Mall at Turtle Creek was completed in March of 2006 at an
approxiamte cost of $100,000,000 and is the largest in northeast Arkansas. In May 2006 Jonesboro started its
first public transportation system known as Jonesboro Economical Transit System or JETS. The JETS system is
comprised of 5 buses that run regularly scheduled routes.
Craighead county was formed February 19, 1859. Senator Thomas B Craighead represented Crittenden and
Mississippi counties during the legislative session. Senator William Jones represented St. Francis and Poinsett
counties. Senator Craighead was not in chamber when the final passage for an act to create a new county
from parts of Greene, Mississippi and Poinsett counties was passed. Senator Craighead was surprised to find
that Senator Jones had pushed to pass the issue and name the new county after him. Senator Craighead
returned the honor by suggesting that Jonesboro be the county seat named after Senator Jones.
The original county courthouse was a 2 story building that was destroyed by fire on February 14, 1869. The
Northern biased militia, based in the courthouse were the ones who set the fire. Another building was used for
the courthouse until 1876 when a new building was erected. Two years later this building was destroyed by
fire. Because of these fires Craighead county records are only available back to March 28, 1878. It was 1886
when a new courthouse was completed, this building was in place until 1934 when it was razed in 1934 for the
building of what now is the main portion of the courthouse. Dedicated on April 3, 1935 the building had a new
annex added completed in November 1995. This new annex marks the spot where the battle of Jonesboro was
waged in 1863. This was a small battle which took place at the courthouse. 1st Wisconsin Infantry, Company D
captured a few Confederate soldiers south of the town and barricaded themselves and their prisoners inside.
Captain Adair and his unit learned of the capture and resolved to free the prisoners and re-take Jonesboro.
During the small battle the confederates attacked from the woods to the west and drove the Federals from the
buildings and forced them out of town. During this battle casualties were small 2 Confederates and
approximately 7 Federals were killed. There is a small plaque erected on the site to commemorate this battle.
A FEW FACTS ABOUT JONESBORO
Hattie Wyatt Caraway was the first woman elected to serve as a United States Senator. Sen. Caraway was born
Hattie Ophelia Wyatt on February 1, 1878 in Bakersville, Tennessee. She married Thaddeus Caraway and
moved the family to Jonesboro where Thaddeus practiced law and started his political career. Thaddeus was
elected to the House of Representatives in 1912 and served until he died in office in 1931. Arkansas Governor
Harvey Parnell appointed Hattie Caraway to finish her husbands term. She was sworn into office December 9,
1931 and confirmed by special election January 12, 1932. Hattie served from 1931 to 1945, 14 years, until she
was defeated. Senator Hattie Caraway died December 21, 1950 in Falls Church, Va and is buried at Westlawn
Cemetery in Jonesboro.
Roger Bumpass the voice of "Squidward Tentacles" was born in and raised in Jonesboro.
John Ray Grisham the novelist, retired attorney, and ex politician was born in Jonesboro February 8, 1955.
Debbye Turner, former Miss America, attended high school in Jonesboro and graduated from Arkansas State
University.
Mississippi counties during the legislative session. Senator William Jones represented St. Francis and Poinsett
counties. Senator Craighead was not in chamber when the final passage for an act to create a new county
from parts of Greene, Mississippi and Poinsett counties was passed. Senator Craighead was surprised to find
that Senator Jones had pushed to pass the issue and name the new county after him. Senator Craighead
returned the honor by suggesting that Jonesboro be the county seat named after Senator Jones.
The original county courthouse was a 2 story building that was destroyed by fire on February 14, 1869. The
Northern biased militia, based in the courthouse were the ones who set the fire. Another building was used for
the courthouse until 1876 when a new building was erected. Two years later this building was destroyed by
fire. Because of these fires Craighead county records are only available back to March 28, 1878. It was 1886
when a new courthouse was completed, this building was in place until 1934 when it was razed in 1934 for the
building of what now is the main portion of the courthouse. Dedicated on April 3, 1935 the building had a new
annex added completed in November 1995. This new annex marks the spot where the battle of Jonesboro was
waged in 1863. This was a small battle which took place at the courthouse. 1st Wisconsin Infantry, Company D
captured a few Confederate soldiers south of the town and barricaded themselves and their prisoners inside.
Captain Adair and his unit learned of the capture and resolved to free the prisoners and re-take Jonesboro.
During the small battle the confederates attacked from the woods to the west and drove the Federals from the
buildings and forced them out of town. During this battle casualties were small 2 Confederates and
approximately 7 Federals were killed. There is a small plaque erected on the site to commemorate this battle.
A FEW FACTS ABOUT JONESBORO
Hattie Wyatt Caraway was the first woman elected to serve as a United States Senator. Sen. Caraway was born
Hattie Ophelia Wyatt on February 1, 1878 in Bakersville, Tennessee. She married Thaddeus Caraway and
moved the family to Jonesboro where Thaddeus practiced law and started his political career. Thaddeus was
elected to the House of Representatives in 1912 and served until he died in office in 1931. Arkansas Governor
Harvey Parnell appointed Hattie Caraway to finish her husbands term. She was sworn into office December 9,
1931 and confirmed by special election January 12, 1932. Hattie served from 1931 to 1945, 14 years, until she
was defeated. Senator Hattie Caraway died December 21, 1950 in Falls Church, Va and is buried at Westlawn
Cemetery in Jonesboro.
Roger Bumpass the voice of "Squidward Tentacles" was born in and raised in Jonesboro.
John Ray Grisham the novelist, retired attorney, and ex politician was born in Jonesboro February 8, 1955.
Debbye Turner, former Miss America, attended high school in Jonesboro and graduated from Arkansas State
University.
apartments
bookstores
banks
city services
doctors
hardware
hospitals
hotels
music
pharmacies
realtors
restaurants
schools
shopping
universities
bookstores
banks
city services
doctors
hardware
hospitals
hotels
music
pharmacies
realtors
restaurants
schools
shopping
universities
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jonesboroinfo.net tries to help anyone who needs to know local information on Jonesboro
is appreciated, but not required. jonesboroinfo.net does not have a membership fee. jonesboroinfo.net is
not responsible for any incorrect listings of any type.
jonesboroinfo.net relies on input from the general public as well as known listing media.
jonesboroinfo.net appreciates any help from those who visit here in updating information.
jonesboroinfo.net tries to help anyone who needs to know local information on Jonesboro