Camden, Arkansas

{{About|the city of Camden in Arkansas|other uses|Camden (disambiguation){{!}}Camden}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Camden, Arkansas
| settlement_type = [[City]]
| official_name = City of Camden
| image_skyline = Camden kentinin merkezi.jpg
| imagesize = 275px
| image_caption = Downtown Camden
| image_blank_emblem = Camden Arkansas.gif
| blank_emblem_type = Council logo
| blank_emblem_size = 100px
| motto = "Star of the River"
| image_map = Ouachita County Arkansas Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Camden Highlighted 0510720.svg
| map_caption = Location in [[Ouachita County, Arkansas|Ouachita County]] and the state of [[Arkansas]]
| pushpin_map             = Arkansas#USA
| pushpin_map_alt         = 
| pushpin_map_caption     = 
| pushpin_label = Camden
| pushpin_label_position  = 
| coordinates = {{coord|33|34|15|N|92|50|6|W|region:US-AR|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of states and territories of the United States|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Arkansas}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Arkansas|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Ouachita County, Arkansas|Ouachita]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[List of Arkansas townships|Township]]
| subdivision_name3 = Ecore Fabre, Lafayette
| established_title = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date = {{start date and age|1844|12|11|p=1|br=1}}
| government_type = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–Council]]
| leader_title = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name = Charlotte Young
| leader_party = [[Independent (politician)|I]]
| leader_title1 = [[City council|Council]]
| leader_name1 = Camden City Council
| area_magnitude = 
| area_total_km2 = 43.04
| area_total_sq_mi = 16.62
| area_land_km2 = 42.80
| area_land_sq_mi = 16.53
| area_water_km2 = 0.24
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.09
| elevation_ft = 203
| elevation_m = 62
| population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total = 10612
| population_metro = 
| population_density_km2 = 247.93
| population_density_sq_mi = 642.14
| timezone = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset = −06:00
| timezone_DST = [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST = −05:00
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code = 71701, 71711
| area_code = [[Area code 870|870]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 05-10720
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 0076505
| website = {{URL|camden.ar.gov}}
| footnotes = 
| pop_est_as_of = 
| pop_est_footnotes = 
| population_est = 
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_05.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
}}
<!-- EDITORS NOTE: Please do not change the first paragraph without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Camden, Arkansas]]. Thank you. -->'''Camden''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Ouachita County, Arkansas|Ouachita County]] in the south-central part of the [[U.S. state portals|U.S. state of Arkansas.]] The city is located about 100 miles south of Little Rock. Situated on bluffs overlooking the Ouachita River, the city developed because of the river. 

The [[recorded history]] began in 1782 when a Spanish military post was established on the site of an old French trading post called ''Écore à Fabri.'' When Ouachita County was formed in 1842, American settlers changed the name to Camden. The city became an important port during the steamboat era when Camden became known as the “Queen City” of the Ouachita. In 1864, Camden became the unintended focus of the [[Red River Campaign]], a major Civil War effort resulting in several significant battles. Camden is known as the producer of  [[M142 HIMARS]] (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) produced by [[Lockheed Martin]]. <ref name="ADPT">{{cite web |url=https://www.arkansas.com/camden |title=Camden |website=Arkansas.com |publisher=[[Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism|Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism]] |access-date=June 16, 2019}}</ref><!-- EDITORS NOTE: Please do not change the first paragraph without prior consensus, see [[Talk:Camden, Arkansas]]. Thank you. -->

In 2000, Camden had a population of 13,154, but it lost 7.4 percent of its residents and recorded 12,183 in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://censusviewer.com/city/AR/Camden|title=Population of the City of Camden, Arkansas|publisher=censusviewer.com|access-date=August 9, 2012|archive-date=June 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615121859/http://censusviewer.com/city/AR/Camden|url-status=dead}}</ref> Camden is the principal city of the Camden [[Camden micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]], which includes all of Ouachita and [[Calhoun County, Arkansas|Calhoun]] counties.

== History ==

=== European exploration ===
The explorers Father [[Jacques Marquette]] and [[Louis Joliet]] in 1673 and [[René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle]], in 1682 established French claims to the land they called [[Louisiana (New France)|Louisiana]], which included what would become Camden, and found the [[Quapaw]] living at the confluence of the [[Arkansas River|Arkansas]] and [[Mississippi River|Mississippi]] rivers. The Quapaw claimed the territory that included this part of the Ouachita basin, but it was also influenced by both [[Caddo]] trade and culture. The old Indian trail called the Caddo Trace, leading from the Quapaw villages on the Arkansas River to those of the Caddo on the [[Red River of the South|Red River]], crossed the Ouachita River at what is now Camden. French hunters, trappers, and traders, who were drawn to the area by the abundant game, later established a rendezvous point on the high bluff above the crossing. The place became known as Ecore a Fabri or Fabri's Bluff (later spelled Fabre).<ref name="EoA">{{cite web |url=https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/camden-947/ |title=Camden (Ouachita County) |last=Milam |first=Daniel A. |publisher=[[Central Arkansas Library System]] |date=April 30, 2005 |website=[[Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture|Encyclopedia of Arkansas]] |access-date=June 16, 2019}}</ref>

In late 1762, France ceded Louisiana to [[Spain]]. In 1782, the Spanish governor sent a Frenchman named Jean Baptiste Filhiol, known to him as Don Juan Filhiol, to establish a civil and military post in the Ouachita district. Filhiol first chose to locate his headquarters at Ecore a Fabri with the expectation of creating a settlement there. After about two years, he decided to move downriver to the more central site of Prairie des Canots, present-day [[Monroe, Louisiana]]. These locations were noted in 1804 by the Hunter-Dunbar Expedition that explored the Ouachita River.<ref name="EoA" />

=== Early statehood ===
By 1819, Jesse Bowman, of future [[Alamo Mission in San Antonio|Alamo]] fame, was living at Ecore a Fabri, while the Tate brothers—Andrew, Richard, and George—came up the Ouachita on keelboats. Unable to go farther, they settled up river at a place now called [[Tates Bluff, Arkansas|Tate's Bluff]]. In 1824, John Nunn moved to Ecore a Fabri and became one of the early permanent settlers. The Nunn brothers planned to pole freight and passengers upriver toward [[Washington, Arkansas]]. Steamboats arrived at Ecore a Fabri in the 1820s and provided it with a direct link to the cotton and commercial markets in [[New Orleans]]. Because it was located at the head of practical navigation, Ecore a Fabri became a commercial center and began to grow. Residents of [[Hempstead County, Arkansas|Hempstead County]] began petitioning for a new road in 1821, and by 1828, the Camden to Washington Road was having additional work and maintenance done. By 1829, a large portion of Hempstead County, including Ecore a Fabri, was broken off by the [[Arkansas General Assembly|legislature]] to form an expanded [[Union County, Arkansas|Union County]]. In 1842, Ouachita County, named for the river, was formed from the northwest portion of Union. Ecore a Fabri was chosen as the county seat, and its name was changed to Camden at the suggestion of one of the commissioners, Thomas Woodward.<ref name="EoA" />

Camden soon became the second-largest city in Arkansas. It was a mercantile center and a bustling river port served by frequent scheduled steamboats carrying passengers and freight. Most traveled between Camden and [[New Orleans]]. Camden was also the headquarters for John T. Chidester's stagecoach line that served [[Arkansas]], [[Louisiana]] and [[Texas]]. Chidester's company carried the United States Mail from [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] to [[Fort Smith, Arkansas|Fort Smith]] for the Butterfield stage line.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Chidester Stage Lines|last=Dillard|first=Tom|date=December 20, 2015|work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette}}</ref>

=== American Civil War ===
{{Main|Camden Expedition}}
During the Civil War, Camden was the focus of [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] general [[Frederick Steele]]’s Red River Campaign of 1864. Steele moved south of Little Rock toward [[Shreveport, Louisiana]], but got only as far as Camden, which he occupied while the [[Confederate States Army|Confederates]] pulled back to defend Washington, Arkansas. Forts [[Fort Lookout (Arkansas)|Lookout]] and [[Fort Southerland|Southerland]] were built early in 1864, and the [[Camden Water Battery]] was built later in the same year, all to protect Camden from attack. After losing the [[Battle of Poison Spring|engagement at Poison Spring]] and the [[Battle of Marks' Mills|action at Marks’ Mill]], Steele had little choice but to retreat toward Little Rock. Camden and south Arkansas remained in Confederate hands until the end of the war.<ref name="EoA" />

=== 20th century to present ===
Before the steamboat era faded, Camden had become a railroad town—served by the mainline of the [[St. Louis Southwestern Railway|St Louis-Southwestern Railroad]] (Cotton Belt) and by branch lines of the [[Missouri Pacific Railroad|Missouri Pacific]] and the [[Rock Island Railroad|Rock Island]] railroads. The town remained an important cotton shipping depot through the early decades of the twentieth century. The South Arkansas oil boom of the 1920s resulted in a thriving economy.

[[File:Camden News, Camden, AR IMG 2233.JPG|thumb|left|''The Camden News'' headquarters 113 Madison Avenue, Northeast]]
In 1927, the [[International Paper]] Company built a processing mill at Camden, following development of south Arkansas' lumber industry. For several decades, Camden was the headquarters of the [[Clyde E. Palmer]] newspaper chain, which included ''[[The Camden News]]'', the ''[[Texarkana Gazette]]'', the ''Hot Springs Sentinel-Record'', and the ''Magnolia Banner News''. The daily newspaper in Camden is the original flagship publication of [[WEHCO Media]].

During [[World War II]], Camden was home to one of Arkansas's three contract training fields for primary pilots in the [[United States Army Air Forces]]. The base was named [[Harrell Field]]; ground was broken for it in 1942.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/camden-army-air-field-5760/|title = Encyclopedia of Arkansas}}</ref>  The site became surplus to the Army's needs in 1944 and was handed over to the US Navy for the [[Shumaker Naval Ammunition Depot]].
Thousands of new jobs were created. The [[Korean War]] generated new jobs and activity at the depot, which closed after war's end. The city and county redeveloped its facilities and grounds into an extensive industrial area. This was the site of some major defense establishments and multiple smaller industries. [[Southern Arkansas University Tech|A technical campus]] of [[Southern Arkansas University]] is also located there.

In the 1990s, post [[Cold War]] downsizing of the defense industry brought severe job losses—and resulting population decline—to the Camden area.  The International Paper Company mill closed a few years later, resulting in more job losses. In recent years, however, a partial resurgence of defense contracts and the development of a diversified mixture of small business and professional activity have stabilized the town's economy.

Camden is the home of Buckshot Smith (born 1929) who was America's oldest active duty police officer from 2020 until he retired in 2023, 2 months before his 94th birthday.<ref>[https://face2faceafrica.com/article/meet-the-91-year-old-who-is-the-oldest-cop-in-the-us-and-has-been-protecting-arkansas-for-nearly-60-years Face to Face Africa]</ref><ref>[https://www.newsweek.com/im-91-still-working-police-officer-1575653 News Week]</ref><ref>[https://www.police1.com/police-heroes/articles/arkansas-oldest-officer-retires-at-93-after-nearly-65-year-career-E5xa3ZWzxC8EnR5v/ Buckshot Smith retires]</ref>

Ukraine has a significant demand for all of the rockets and missiles made at the [[Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control]] facility in neighboring [[East Camden, Arkansas|East Camden]], including those used by the Army's Patriot missile system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-is-burning-through-ammunition-faster-than-the-us-and-nato-can-produce-it-inside-the-pentagon-s-plan-to-close-the-gap/ar-AA17AIYF|title=Ukraine is burning through ammunition faster than the US and NATO can produce it. Inside the Pentagon's plan to close the gap. Story by Haley Britzky, Feb 16, 2023 11:01 PM|website=[[MSN]] }}</ref>

== Geography ==
Camden is located on the Ouachita River, at the end of the navigable part of the river. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|16.5|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|16.5|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.1|sqmi|km2}} (0.36%) is water.

=== Climate ===
The climate in this area is characterized by hot summers and cool winters.  According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Camden has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=77157&cityname=Camden%2C+Arkansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Camden, Arkansas]</ref>

{{Weather box
 | width       = auto
 | collapsed   = yes
 | single line = yes
 | location    = Camden, Arkanasa (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1890–present)
 | Jan record high F  = 86
 | Feb record high F  = 89
 | Mar record high F  = 93
 | Apr record high F  = 95
 | May record high F  = 99
 | Jun record high F  = 107
 | Jul record high F  = 111
 | Aug record high F  = 115
 | Sep record high F  = 109
 | Oct record high F  = 102
 | Nov record high F  = 90
 | Dec record high F  = 88
 | year record high F = 

|Jan avg record high F = 73.7
|Feb avg record high F = 77.1
|Mar avg record high F = 83.8
|Apr avg record high F = 87.3
|May avg record high F = 91.2
|Jun avg record high F = 96.4
|Jul avg record high F = 99.9
|Aug avg record high F = 100.0
|Sep avg record high F = 96.2
|Oct avg record high F = 90.2
|Nov avg record high F = 81.5
|Dec avg record high F = 74.8
|year avg record high F = 101.7


 | Jan high F = 53.3
 | Feb high F = 57.9
 | Mar high F = 66.4
 | Apr high F = 74.5
 | May high F = 81.4
 | Jun high F = 88.8
 | Jul high F = 91.9
 | Aug high F = 92.0
 | Sep high F = 86.0
 | Oct high F = 75.7
 | Nov high F = 64.0
 | Dec high F = 55.6
 | year high F = 74.0
 | Jan mean F = 42.3
 | Feb mean F = 46.1
 | Mar mean F = 54.1
 | Apr mean F = 62.0
 | May mean F = 70.4
 | Jun mean F = 78.1
 | Jul mean F = 81.5
 | Aug mean F = 80.8
 | Sep mean F = 74.2
 | Oct mean F = 62.9
 | Nov mean F = 52.0
 | Dec mean F = 44.4
 | year mean F = 62.4
 | Jan low F = 31.2
 | Feb low F = 34.2
 | Mar low F = 41.8
 | Apr low F = 49.6
 | May low F = 59.5
 | Jun low F = 67.4
 | Jul low F = 71.1
 | Aug low F = 69.7
 | Sep low F = 62.4
 | Oct low F = 50.1
 | Nov low F = 40.0
 | Dec low F = 33.3
 | year low F = 50.9

|Jan avg record low F = 17.4
|Feb avg record low F = 22.0
|Mar avg record low F = 26.5
|Apr avg record low F = 35.0
|May avg record low F = 46.1
|Jun avg record low F = 58.0
|Jul avg record low F = 64.6
|Aug avg record low F = 62.1
|Sep avg record low F = 48.3
|Oct avg record low F = 35.3
|Nov avg record low F = 25.6
|Dec avg record low F = 21.0
|year avg record low F = 15.4

 | Jan record low F  = -10
 | Feb record low F  = -10
 | Mar record low F  = 12
 | Apr record low F  = 26
 | May record low F  = 35
 | Jun record low F  = 44
 | Jul record low F  = 51
 | Aug record low F  = 48
 | Sep record low F  = 33
 | Oct record low F  = 20
 | Nov record low F  = 12
 | Dec record low F  = 1
 | year record low F = 
 | precipitation colour   = green
 | Jan precipitation inch = 4.33
 | Feb precipitation inch = 4.67
 | Mar precipitation inch = 5.43
 | Apr precipitation inch = 5.36
 | May precipitation inch = 4.55
 | Jun precipitation inch = 3.52
 | Jul precipitation inch = 4.11
 | Aug precipitation inch = 3.18
 | Sep precipitation inch = 3.53
 | Oct precipitation inch = 4.80
 | Nov precipitation inch = 4.17
 | Dec precipitation inch = 5.47
 | year precipitation inch = 53.12
 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
 | Jan precipitation days  = 9.4
 | Feb precipitation days  = 8.5
 | Mar precipitation days  = 9.1
 | Apr precipitation days  = 7.8
 | May precipitation days  = 8.7
 | Jun precipitation days  = 7.3
 | Jul precipitation days  = 7.2
 | Aug precipitation days  = 6.1
 | Sep precipitation days  = 5.7
 | Oct precipitation days  = 7.0
 | Nov precipitation days  = 7.7
 | Dec precipitation days  = 8.8
 | year precipitation days = 93.3
 | Jan snow inch = 0.9
 | Feb snow inch = 0.3
 | Mar snow inch = 0.3
 | Apr snow inch = 0.0
 | May snow inch = 0.0
 | Jun snow inch = 0.0
 | Jul snow inch = 0.0
 | Aug snow inch = 0.0
 | Sep snow inch = 0.0
 | Oct snow inch = 0.0
 | Nov snow inch = 0.0
 | Dec snow inch = 0.0
 | year snow inch = 1.5
 | unit snow days = 0.1 in
 | Jan snow days  = 0.3
 | Feb snow days  = 0.2
 | Mar snow days  = 0.1
 | Apr snow days  = 0.0
 | May snow days  = 0.0
 | Jun snow days  = 0.0
 | Jul snow days  = 0.0
 | Aug snow days  = 0.0
 | Sep snow days  = 0.0
 | Oct snow days  = 0.0
 | Nov snow days  = 0.1
 | Dec snow days  = 0.0
 | year snow days = 0.7
 | source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=lzk
|title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 22, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00031152&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 22, 2023}}</ref>
}}

== Demographics ==
{{US Census population
|1850= 894
|1860= 2219
|1870= 1612
|1880= 1503
|1890= 2571
|1900= 2840
|1910= 3995
|1920= 3238
|1930= 7273
|1940= 8975
|1950= 11372
|1960= 15823
|1970= 15147
|1980= 15356
|1990= 14380
|2000= 13154
|2010= 12183
|2020= 10612
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Camden racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0510720&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-13|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|3,851
|36.29%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|5,943
|56.0%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|13
|0.12%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|80
|0.75%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|2
|0.02%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|471
|4.44%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|252
|2.37%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 10,612 people, 4,221 households, and 2,523 families residing in the city.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States Census]], there were 12,183 people living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 55.9% Black, 40.0% White, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from some other race and 1.6% from two or more races. 1.6% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website  }}</ref> of 2000, there were 13,154 people, 5,421 households, and 3,561 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|799.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 6,259 housing units at an average density of {{convert|380.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 48.88% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 49.41% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.37% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.24% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.20% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.87% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|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 [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 19.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families.  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.

== Economy ==

=== Tourism ===
[[File:McCollum-Chidester House 001.jpg|thumb|left|The [[McCollum-Chidester House]]]]
[[File:HIMARS - missile launched.jpg|thumb|M142 HIMARS produced from Camden.]]
Attractions in town include the [[McCollum-Chidester House]], home to the Ouachita County Historical Society,.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ouachitacountyhistoricalsociety.org/index.html |title=Ouachita County Historical Society |access-date=June 16, 2019}}</ref> Built in 1847 by local merchant Peter McCollum, the house was purchased by John T. Chidester in 1857 and was used as a way station on his stage line. It was featured in the television series ''[[North and South (miniseries)|North and South]]''.<ref name="ADPT" />

Camden has numerous historic buildings. There are two National Register districts. The Clifton and Greening Streets Historic District was created in 1997, and the Washington Street Historic District in 2010. The old Camden Post Office, built 1895, was added to the register in 1977. It is now a popular restaurant. The oldest continually running restaurant in the state of Arkansas is also located in Camden. The White House Cafe was opened in 1907 by Hristos Hodjopulas.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.aymag.com/the-white-house-cafe/ |title=The White House Cafe |date=March 31, 2017 |publisher=AY Magazine |access-date=January 11, 2020}}</ref>

About {{convert|10|mi|km}} to the northwest, the site of the [[Battle of Poison Springs]] is preserved at [[Poison Springs Battleground State Park]], one of three state parks commemorating the campaign. [[Oakland Cemetery (Camden, Arkansas)|Oakland Cemetery]], which is on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], is the largest [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] cemetery in the area. Artifacts related to two famous Camden products, Camark pottery and [[Grapette]] soft drinks, as well as Civil War and railroad relics, are exhibited at the Camden Visitors Center and Museum. Two major events held in the city are the spring Camden Daffodil Festival and autumn BPW Barn Sale. Other area attractions include [[White Oak Lake State Park]]; the [[Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources]] at [[Smackover, Arkansas|Smackover]], and [[El Dorado, Arkansas|El Dorado]].<ref name="ADPT" />

== Education ==
African American students attended Lincoln High School during segregation. It was closed in 1970<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.camdenarknews.com/news/2017/jun/30/students-lincoln-high-attend-reunion/ | title=Students from Lincoln High attend reunion &#124; Camden News | date=June 30, 2017 }}</ref> after [[Brown v. Board of Education]] disallowed segregation.

Camden was once served by Camden School District and Fairview School District. In 1990 the two districts merged. Public education for early childhood, elementary and secondary education is available from the following school districts:

* [[Camden Fairview School District]], including [[Camden Fairview High School]]. 
* [[Harmony Grove School District (Camden, Arkansas)|Harmony Grove School District]], including [[Harmony Grove High School (Camden, Arkansas)|Harmony Grove High School]].

== Notable people ==
* [[James E. K. Hildreth|James Hildreth]] (born 1956); President and CEO of Meharry Medical College; internationally known immunology researcher
* [[Shawn Andrews]] (born 1982); played for Philadelphia Eagles 2004-2009 and NY Giants 2010
* [[Stacy Andrews]] (born 1981); played for Cincinnati Bengals 2004–2008, Philadelphia Eagles 2009, Seattle Seahawks 2010, NY Giants 2011
* [[Jonathan Davis (baseball)|Jonathan Davis]] (born 1992), drafted by Toronto Blue Jays 2013; played in minor leagues before a brief stint on Jay's major league roster 2019
* [[Betty Jo Teeter Dobbs|Betty Jo Dobbs]] (1930–1994), science historian specializing in Newton's Alchemy
* [[Alexander Travis Hawthorn|Alexander Hawthorn]] (1825–1899); American lawyer, minister, [[Confederate States Army|C.S. Army]] general
* [[George Washington Hays|George Hays]] (1863–1927), 24th governor of Arkansas 1913–1917
* [[Benjamin Travis Laney|Benjamin Laney]] (1896–1977), 33rd governor of Arkansas 1945–1949
* [[Ne-Yo]] (born 1979 as Shaffer Chimere Smith); R&B singer, songwriter, producer
* [[Andre Patterson (American football)|Andre Patterson]] (born 1960); defensive line coach ([[National Football League|NFL]]) 1997–2006, with Minnesota Vikings since 2014
* [[David Hampton Pryor|David Pryor]] (born 1934); served as U.S. Representative 1967–1973, 39th governor of Arkansas 1974–1979, U.S. Senator 1979–1997.
* [[Tony Tillman]] (born 1981 as Tony Daniel Frazier), Christian hip hop artist and songwriter
* [[Tommy Tuberville]] (born 1954); head football coach for [[Ole Miss Rebels football|University of Mississippi]], [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn]] 1999–2008, [[Texas Tech Red Raiders football|Texas Tech]] and [[Cincinnati Bearcats football|University of Cincinnati]], U.S. senator from Alabama
* [[David Warner Hagen]] (1931-2022), United States District Court judge
* [[Edward A. Warren]] (1818–1875) politician represented Ouachita County in the [[Arkansas House of Representatives]] and [[United States House of Representatives]] 
* [[Gertrude Weaver]] (1898–2015); declared oldest living documented person, but died five days later on April 6, 2015
* [[Corey Williams (American football)|Corey Williams]] (born 1980); played for Green Bay Packers 2004–2007, Cleveland Browns 2008–2009, Detroit Lions 2010–2012

== See also ==
{{Portal|Arkansas|Cities}}
* [[List of cities and towns in Arkansas]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Ouachita County, Arkansas]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
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; Government
*{{official website}}
; General information
*{{osmrelation-inline|6684980}}
*[https://www.arkansas.com/historic-route/camden-expedition-civil-war-trail Camden Expedition Civil War Trail] at [[Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism|Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism]]
*[http://explorecamden.com/chamber/ Camden Area Chamber of Commerce]
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{{Ouachita County, Arkansas}}
{{Arkansas county seats}}

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[[Category:Camden, Arkansas| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:1844 establishments in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Camden, Arkansas micropolitan area]]
[[Category:Cities in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Cities in Ouachita County, Arkansas]]
[[Category:County seats in Arkansas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1844]]
[[Category:Arkansas populated places on the Ouachita River]]