History Gentry, Arkansas

gentry in 1912



the historic bank of gentry building built in 1904 , added national register of historic places (nrhp) in 1988.

gentry began rural ozark agricultural community named orchard city. located in western benton county, known apple orchards , other produce. town began grow when kansas city southern railroad constructed through town. in 1894, residents of community petitioned county officially incorporate, , city s name changed gentry, after official in charge of construction of railroad.

the railroad proved important gentry, , 1903 town had grown population of 1,000.

the railroad company built new depot in gentry in 1926-1927. known 1 of nicest depots on railway line. banquet held grand opening, , railway officials arrived on special train commemorate event. 4 6 passenger trains week came through gentry until passenger service discontinued in 1964.

in 1937, highway 59 built, running through city north , south. remains main highway through city, linking gentry other west benton county communities.

in 1946, city council voted buy water tank $1,650 war assets corporation in kentucky. in 1948, city held special election issue bonds install larger water mains , additional fireplugs. in 1950s, city purchased own water company. @ beginning of 21st century, gentry expanding water lines rural areas surrounding community.

using donations, local businesses built first auditorium @ intersection of main , collins streets. building houses city s police department , courtroom.

in 1960s, when agriculture no longer economic base had once been city , railroad, train depot torn down.

the next decade saw beginning of construction of power plant southwestern electric power company (often known swepco). plant, located 1 mile (1.6 km) west of city limits, coal-fueled electric generating facility called flint creek power plant. today swepco continues provide electrical power, , swepco lake (shown on maps lake flint creek known locals hot lake ) used fishing , recreation. ease traffic through downtown, new arkansas highway 12 bypass built on southern edge of town. in 1970s, wild wilderness drive-through safari established north of town. 400-acre (160 ha) park home variety of exotic animals , consists of 4 miles (6 km) drive-through, petting parks , walk-through areas interaction animals. in 1983, mckee foods corporation (then known mckee baking company) opened manufacturing facility in gentry.

the city celebrated centennial in 1994 , held 110th birthday bash in 2004.