Camden, Arkansas

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Camden is a city in Ouachita County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 12,024.<ref name=popest2>Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Arkansas (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (June 21 2006). Retrieved on November 16, 2006.</ref> The city is the county seat of Ouachita County^GR6.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Trivia
5 References

[edit] History

In 1783, a French trader named Fabre settled on a bluff above the Ouachita River and called the settlement “Ecore Fabre” (Faber’s Bluff or the Hill of Faber). This would mark the permanent settlement of what would become Camden. The city of Camden marks its founding as 1824, but it was not incorporated and officially named “Camden” until 1844. Some controversy exists over the origin of the name but most agree it is named for Camden, Alabama, the hometown of General Thomas Woodward, an early city founder. Prior to the name change from Ecore Fabre to Camden, the location was simply known as “The Bluff”.

[edit] Geography

Camden is located at 33°34′15″N, 92°50′6″W (33.570941, -92.834924)^GR1. It is on the Ouachita River, at the end of the navigable river.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 42.8 km² (16.5 mi²). 42.6 km² (16.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.36%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 13,154 people, 5,421 households, and 3,561 families residing in the city. The population density was 308.7/km² (799.4/mi²). There were 6,259 housing units at an average density of 146.9/km² (380.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 48.88% White, 49.41% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,421 households out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 19.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. Of 5,421 households, 197 are unmarried partner households: 169 heterosexual, 11 same-sex male, and 17 same-sex female households. (Note: Stigmatization of homosexuality may prevent same-sex couples from reporting themselves as such on the US Census, especially in more conservative areas.) 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 82.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,814, and the median income for a family was $35,291. Males had a median income of $31,257 versus $19,046 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,599. About 18.5% of families and 22.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.0% of those under age 18 and 19.4% of those age 65 or over. Camden is the county seat of Ouachita County, more detailed history: [1]

[edit] Trivia

Lt. Stokeley Morgan of Camden fired the opening shots of the Spanish-American War from a battleship in Manila Harbor, Philippines.

Edgar Allan Poe worked for the Camden Herald Newspaper for three months in 1847.

The US Civil War Battle of Poison Springs was fought near Camden April 18, 1864, briefly giving the Confederates control of the Ouachita River. [2] and [3]

Elvis Presley played the Camden auditorium three times in 1955.

Sam Walton lived and worked here before he founded Wal-Mart.

Part of the Civil War mini-series North and South was filmed here.

The 1970s David Carradine movie Boxcar Bertha was filmed here. Martin Scorsese was the Director.

Carrie Nation, the famous prohibitionist, held a rally here in 1906.

Will Rogers performed here in 1928.

Wild Bill Hickok served here during the Union Army’s occupation of Camden.

Red Adair, the famous oil well fire fighter, was arrested for murder here and later cleared.

Huey P. Long delivered a stump-speech as he campaigned for Hattie Caraway in Camden in 1936.

Jim Ed Brown, famous country-western singer, hauled wood here before he became famous.

Governor George Washington Hays, Governor Benjamin Travis Laney, Senator John McClellan and Governor/Senator David Pryor were from Camden.

Matilda Crockett, Davy Crockett’s sister, is buried here.

Porter Clay, brother of Henry Clay the leading US Senator prior to the Civil War, is buried here.

Robert Hite, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, retired, one of Crew 16 of Jimmy Doolittle’s Raiders, lives in Camden.

The Nick McDonald (d. 2005 in Hot Springs, AR), graduated from Camden High School, was the Dallas Police officer who captured Lee Harvey Oswald after he assassinated President John F. Kennedy.

Matthew H. Rothert, now deceased, presented the suggestion to include “In God We Trust” on our paper currency. Secretary of the Treasury, George M. Humphrey, in November 1953. In March 1955, through Mr. Rothert's efforts, Oklahoma Senator A. S. Mike Monroney initiated a bill in the Senate Banking and Currency Committee, chaired by Rothert’s friend Senator William Fulbright from Arkansas. Representatives Charles Bennett of Florida and Oren Harris of Arkansas introduced similar bills in the House. The bills passed, making "In God We Trust" the official motto of the United States.

Hope Rothert Taft, daughter of Matthew H. Rothert, is the wife of Ohio Governor Bob Taft.

Tommy Tuberville, head football coach at Auburn University, is a native of Camden.

Ne-Yo, R&B star was born in Camden.

Shawn Andrews, of the Philadelphia Eagles, is a native of Camden.

William Jennings Bryan, orator and Democratic presidential candidate, spoke in Camden in 1905 or 1906 and was a houseguest of Judge and Mrs. Tom Gaughan.

“Thirsty or not, enjoy Grapette”, Camden was the home of the Grapette and Orangette soft drinks from 1939. In 2005, Sam's Choice Grapette and Sam's Choice Orangette again became available in Wal-Mart stores nationwide in the USA. [4]