Mountain View, AR

Mountain View, Arkansas
Location in Stone County and the state of Arkansas
Coordinates: 35°51′54″N 92°6′31″W / 35.865, -92.10861
Country	United States
State	Arkansas
County	Stone
Area
- City	sq mi (km²)
- Land	sq mi ( km²)
- Water	sq mi ( km²)
Elevation	ft ( m)
Population (2000)
- City
- Density	/sq mi (/km²)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes	72533, 72560
Area code(s)	870
FIPS code	05-47540
GNIS feature ID	0077769

Mountain View is both the county seat and the largest town in Stone County, Arkansas, a dry county. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 2,998.^[1]. The town's name comes from its location in a valley surrounded by the eastern Ozark Mountains. Prior to the founding of Mountain View in 1874, the town of Riggsville existed immediately to the east.

Geography

Mountain View is located at 35°51′54″N, 92°6′31″W (35.864886, -92.108497)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.7 km² (6.8 mi²). 17.7 km² (6.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.15% is water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 2,876 people, 1,287 households, and 792 families residing in the city. The population density was 162.8/km² (421.8/mi²). There were 1,450 housing units at an average density of 82.1/km² (212.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.97% White, 0.94% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 1.74% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,287 households out of which 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.4% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.72.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 20.7% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 25.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 81.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $19,302, and the median income for a family was $27,589. Males had a median income of $20,000 versus $16,790 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,375. About 10.2% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The local economy is largely tourism-based. Numerous hotels and restaurants exist to serve travelers who come to visit the nearby Blanchard Springs Caverns, in Fifty-Six, Arkansas, or The Ozark Folk Center State Park. Many others seek the world-renowned trout fishing of the White River, or the excellent camping, hiking and mountain-biking that can be found in the Ozark National Forest. A few live music and variety shows, such as the White River Hoedown, also entertain travelers by mixing contemporary country, gospel and bluegrass music with a bit of local humor. However, the majority of visitors to Mountain View come to attend one of the two major festivals held here every year, and to enjoy the impromptu folk music jam sessions that occur around the courthouse square.

The remainder of the local economy consists mostly of agriculture, specifically the farming of livestock, primarily cattle and chickens. Industrial activities in the area are overall nonexistent, excepting a few small manufacturing companies. The Stone County Iron Works, a nationally-known company that produces iron furniture, fixtures and housewares, is headquartered in Mountain View.

Education

The city hosts a satellite campus of Ozarka College, a two-year institution whose main campus is located in Melbourne, Arkansas. The city is also home to the main campus of the Mountain View School District, a secondary school that also maintains campuses in Timbo, Arkansas and Fox, Arkansas. The school district boundaries are the same as those of Stone County, Arkansas.

Special events

Local festivals play an integral part in Mountain View's economy and culture, and the city is widely know throughout the country for its hospitality, uniqueness and relaxed pace of life. As such, thousands of people travel to Mountain View each year to attend one of these events, and get a taste of Ozark Mountain culture. Often lodging must be secured a year in advance of the two major festivals. Some local estimates say that the city's population has grown to as much as 100,000 during past festivals, though this is likely an exaggeration. Average festival attendance tends to fall between 40,000 and 60,000.

In April, the city hosts the Ozark Folk Festival. A highlight of this festival is an old-fashioned "home-town" parade, which brings out school bands, patriotic veterans groups, show horses, and decorated floats. Numerous folk craft vendors and many impromptu performances of live folk music are also part of the celebration.

During the last weekend of October, thousands attend the Arkansas Bean Fest and Great Championship Outhouse Races. Early Saturday morning, nearly one ton of pinto beans are cooked in large, antique iron kettles that are set up along the west side of the courthouse square. Promptly at noon, a nearly endless amount of free beans and cornbread are served to the gathered crowd. The festival continues with the famous Outhouse Race. Teams from Arkansas and surrounding states push outhouses built on wheels (similar to a go-kart) in a series of races. The overall champion receives the coveted Golden Toilet Seat Trophy. Handmade crafts and folk music play an integral part in this festival as well.

Other local festivals included the Mountain View Bluegrass Festival, held in both mid-March and mid-November; An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July, held on July 3rd and 4th; and the Ozark Mountain Christmas, held throughout the month of December. The latter festival is especially notable because it features the town Christmas tree lighting and lighting of the downtown square, including the courthouse and other downtown buildings.

The Ozark Folk Center plays host to several events throughout the year, including live concerts by well-known artist such as the Old Crow Medicine Show and Del McCoury, the Arkansas State Fiddle Championships, and workshops teaching banjo, dulcimer, and other folk crafts.

Notes

• Mountain View is the birthplace of actor Dick Powell.
• Mountain View was home to musician/comedian Grandpa Jones in the latter years of his life.
• Timbo, Arkansas, near Mountain View, is the birthplace of folk songwriter and musician Jimmy Driftwood.
• The Ozark Folk Center State Park is located in Mountain View.
• The area is well known for its excellent trout fishing on the White River.

Mountain View has also, recently become an attractive retirement site for many. It is both economical and laid back. Seniors can find "old-fashioned" values, and the activities lend themselves to less-strenuous activities and can prove to be a Bluegrass lovers paradise.

References

External links

• City of Mountain View Website
• Mountain View Chamber of Commerce Website
• Ozark Folk Center State Park

Coordinates: 35.864886° N 92.108497° W

Donate to Wikimedia