Posted in Arkansas History, Small Towns, State Pride March 16, 2023 by

Few People Realize How Much Petroleum History Is Preserved In The Small Town Of Smackover, Arkansas

With a name like Smackover, chances are, you’ve heard of this tiny town located about 100 miles south of Little Rock. However, with only 1,600 residents, this historical small town in Arkansas might not be on your radar. But you’d be thrilled to know that Smackover has played a significant role in the petroleum history of the country. In fact, it became famous as the location of one of America’s largest oil reservoirs. Today, Smackover has preserved its legacy as an oil boomtown, and its rich history is one that you must explore for yourself.

Incorporated in 1922, Smackover is an oil boom town that has kept on thriving. This historical small town in Arkansas was first settled by the French in the early 18th century.
Valis55, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
And its name is derived from the French who called the area Sumac Couvert meaning covered in sumac bushes. The name then evolved to become Smackover.
After the discovery of one of the largest oil reservoirs in the country, Smackover became a nationwide phenomenon.
Chase Carmichael/Google
Folks traveled from near and far to get a piece of the oil pie and the town eventually grew to up to 25,000 residents.
Additionally, the discovery led to millions of dollars of investment into Arkansas’ oil industry. As you drive through Smackover, you’ll notice lots of relics that are reminders of an era from long ago.
Jesse Gosman/Google
Including old oil pumps as well as this vintage stop light that is nestled in the middle of downtown.
The Smackover Chamber of Commerce/Facebook
Fun fact, this is the only pedestal stop light of its kind in Arkansas, and it is also recognized in the Congressional Records.
The entire downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And the historic district is lined with commercial-style buildings that reflect a once-booming petroleum industry.
Nathan Pierce/Google
But if you would like to get a true sense of the history of this town, head to the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources.
This museum and state park is overflowing with artifacts and equipment from the oil booming past. In fact, you’ll see a working replica of a 112-oil derrick along with an oil pump.
Nathan Pierce/Google
Inside you’ll find a boomtown with vintage gas pumps, cars, and trucks as well as a model of a 1920s jail and cafe.
Nathan Pierce/Google
If that weren’t enough, there’s also a time travel elevator that takes you back 2 million years ago, plus a cool theater, where you can watch a film about the oil industry.
Honestly Speaking/Google
Moreover, the town has also hosted yearly festivals to celebrate and preserve its rich petroleum history that never died.

Have you ever been to this historical small town in Arkansas? If so, share your experience in the comments below. To learn more about the history of this old boomtown, visit the website. Also, be sure to visit the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources website as well. 

Are you searching for another small town to explore? Here’s a tiny town in Arkansas with lots of historical sites.  

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Address: Smackover, AR 71762, USA