History of Sevier County
Sevier County was organized on October 22, 1828 under legislative authority. It was formed from Hempstead and Miller Counties. Hempstead, Miller and Crawford Counties as well as the Choctaw Nation in Indian Territory bound Sevier County.
The county seat has undergone several changes since Sevier County was organized. The first county seat was Paraclifta. In 1871, the Lockes donated 120 acres of land. As a result, the county seat was moved to Lockesburg. In 1905, the county seat was again moved to De Queen.
Sevier County is known as “The Land of Lakes”, “The Land of Fruits and Flowers” and “The Home of Friendly People”. The county has five lakes within a 35 mile radius, five rivers and mountain streams and forests.
Some of the Anglo settlers who came to Sevier County were Joseph McKean, George Boren, James M. Coulter, the Halbrooks, the Kings, the Ladds, the Wrights and the Sloanes. Many other families also settled in the county prior to 1840.
A listing of some of the early settlements in the county follows: Brownstown, earlier known as Pine Woods, was named for Henry K. Brown an early, wealthy plantation owner. Ultima Thule was settled by the McKeon family. Others were: cross Trails, Dilworth, Farribaville, later renamed Provo, Paraclifta, Lockesburg, De Queen, Red Colony, Nashville, Macasie Schoolhouse, Bellville, Williamson, Norwoodville, Falls Chapel, Ben Lomond, Riddle, and Millwood. Walnut Grove, Melrose and Riddle consolidated their schools and communities around 1910. Other communities were Chapel Hill, a very thriving community, Cossatot, later Cossatot Mines, and then Jodenbrook, Neal Springs, King, Simpson Ridge, Avon, Silver Hill, Betton, which merged into the De Queen post office about 1896, Gravelly Point, Holcomb, Hortense and Nettle Hill. Hortense became Geneva in 1906. Still others were Green’s Chapel, Lemric, Milford/Edwin, Antioch (Moore’s Spur), Moore’s Spur/Mineral, Gillham, Oak Grove Community, Petty, Willis, Ruch, Hughes, Sardis, Paraloma, Wright’s Chapel School (1907), Blanchard, Woodman Camp, Cheatham, Corn Hill, Pullman, Round Top (1915), Hurricane Creek and Antimony.
Sevier County Historical Society Museum
717 N. Maple St.
De Queen, AR. 71832
870-642-6642
Museum dedicated Friday, May 2, 1986
Board of Directors:
Dr. L.D. Stubbs, President
Billy Ray McKelvy, Vice President
Marcia Leeper, Secretary
Irma Walters, Treasurer
Ken Rogers
Alton Clay
Walter Leeper
Officers of the Historical Society of Sevier County:
Johnny Cox, President
June King, Vice President
Carolyn Mitchell, Secretary and Treasurer
The museum staff is composed of June King, Director, Patty Briant, Curator; Bobbie Hunter, Asst. Director. Volunteers are Mrs. E.M. Knod, Eddie Sackett, Lois Carruth, and Melinda & D.N. Griffin.
Since it’s inception the museum has tripled in size. A 1940’s house has been furnished across the street from the museum with 1940 furniture fixtures and artifacts. An antique village is also being built with replicas of original buildings of the county. A blacksmith shop, a jail, and an 1897 bank have been built so far. Foundations have been poured for the Hotel de Horse, the Brookes Drug Store, and a millinery shop. The shops will be connected by a brick walkway made up of monogrammed brick.
Our annex to the museum is rented regularly for family reunions, wedding showers and other special events.