Russellville, Arkansas The River Valley

This lens is featuring Russellville, Arkansas. I have lived in this town for more than 25 years. I have personally visited these locations myself on many occasions! Russellville has many fun places to spend the day boating, fishing, hiking, shopping, or just relaxing!
There are 4 Golf courses near Russellville Arkansas. Russellville is also located right next to a large man made lake full of many variety of fish! Lake Dardanelle is a sprawling 34,300-acre reservoir on the Arkansas River.
Russellville is located in the middle of Fort Smith and Little Rock along Interstate 40, making it a perfect home to many name brand companies!

There are so many things to do in the Arkansas River Valley

Bona Dea Trails & Sanctuary - Nearly six miles of hiking trails wind through the wilderness area, where wetlands and low woods provide habitat for wildlife. Located in Russellville. The Bona Dea Trails are a great place to take the family for an afternoon of relaxing walks through some of natures wetlands right inside the city! All the trails are covered with sand and stones and are easily accessible.

*** I have a story about when I was a kid and visited the Bona Dea Trails.***
I was 12 years old and had just moved to Russellville Arkansas from Iowa. My older brothers and I took off walking to do some exploring of our new hometown. We didn't walk to far when we found the Bona Dea Trails!
That was perfect way for us to spend a few hours! So off we went to explore! We had walked maybe half way thru the trails when we came upon a swinging bridge that went over some swappy looking ponds.
As we crossed over the bridge we noticed a huge toad sitting in the sun by the ponds edge. So we decided to catch the toad. This toad was really big too!
After we caught the toad we took off back towards the house so we could build him a home! Well as we walked down the highway, people that were driving by kept staring and honking at us! A man pulled over and wanted to take our picture with the big toad! 3 days later we were on the front page of the newspaper holding that big ol' toad!!! We named him Kermit of course but ended up taking him back to the Bona Dea Trails after a week.

Russellville and Pope County National Register Historic Sites - Russellville and Pope County feature many historic places including Crow Mountain's Petroglyph, Potts' Inn in Pottsville, several homes, school buildings, the Confederate Mothers National Park and The Missouri- Pacific Depot in Downtown Russellville.

Russellville Rose Women's Light T-Shirt
Womens light t-shirt for Rose lovers from the wonderful little town of Russellville, Arkansas! Great gifts for Rose lovers from the wonderful little town of Russellville!
$18.99

Product Information
Our 100% cotton Women's tee is preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.
* 5.6 oz. 100% cotton
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Russellville is a college town. Arkansas Tech is Home to The Wonderboys Mens Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track, Golf, and even a Fishing Team! The Womens Sports Teams are known as The Golden Suns.
The high school of Russellville is home to the Cyclones and the Junior High teams are known as the whirlwinds!

Every year Russellville is home of the World Series of Little League Baseball. Teams of kids arrive from all over the world to compete in the baseball tournament.

Arkansas Tech University
Russellville Cyclones

* Corliss Williamson
* #34
* Forward
* Sacramento Kings
* Height: 6-7
* Weight: 245
* Born: Dec 4, 1973 - Russellville, Arkansas
* College: Arkansas
* Draft: 1995 - 1st round (13th pick) by the Sacramento Kings

Russellville, Arkansas was the childhood home of Corliss Williamson. While he was in JR. High School he shattered the backboard doing a slam dunk! He went on to star for the Cyclones High School team then on to the Arkansas Razorbacks helping his team win the National Championship.
Then went on to win the World Championships in NBA. Now he is a coach for basketball!
The local Boys and Girls club is named after him, because of his generous donations that helped the center build a brand new home!
Corliss's mother Betty still lives in Russellville and is one of the most wonderful people in the world! I had the pleasure of working with her at Arkansas Tech University.

Other Notable Residents of Russellville Arkansas

* Elizabeth Ward, crowned Miss America in 1982, is a 1979 graduate of Russellville High School.
* American composer Scott Bradley, most known for his works in Tom and Jerry (MGM) cartoons, was from Russellville.[1][2]
* Natalie Canerday, actress (Sling Blade, October Sky, Walk the Line), graduated from Russellville High School.
* College All-American and NFL punter Greg Horne graduated from Russellville High in 1983.
* American Writer, Poet, and Musician Kurtis Krow was born in Russellville

Russellville, Arkansas Golf Courses

A list of golf courses in the Russellville, Arkansas area. Award-winning golf courses.

Russellville Country Club,
18 holes over 6,256 yards with a par of 71
Highway 7
Russellville, AR 72801
(479) 968-2660
8 miles from the center of Russellville.

Galla Creek Golf Course,
18 holes over 5,864 yards with a par of 71 (Public)
141 Golf Club Lane
Pottsville, AR 72858
(479) 890-6653
4 miles from the center of Russellville.

Lions Den Golf Club,
18 holes over 6,036 yards with a par of 72 (Public)
11044 Bay Ridge Dr
Dardanelle, AR 72834-8807
(479) 229-4162
6 miles from the center of Russellville.

Chamberlyne Country Club,
18 holes over 7,047 yards with a par of 72 (Public)
10614 Country Club Dr
Danville, AR 72833-6784
(479) 495-4100
16 miles from the center of Russellville.

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Russellville has many parks and boat launch areas. The whole western part of the city is next to the lake. The Arkansas river feeds the lake and runs off to the south of the city between Russellville and Dardanelle. The Arkansas River separates the two towns.
Lake Dardanelle is home to many professional bass tournaments each year. I have also seen high speed power boats and water skiing championships held here.

Here is some more information about our beautiful Lake Dardanelle!
Surrounded by the natural beauty for which the Arkansas River Valley is known, Lake Dardanelle is a sprawling 34,300-acre reservoir on the Arkansas River. These two water resources combined here have put this area into the national spotlight as a major bass fishing tournament site. Lake Dardanelle State Park offers two areas on the lake: one park site is at Russellville, and the other is located at nearby Dardanelle. Both the Russellville (main park) and Dardanelle locations offer camping (74 sites: Russellville--16 Class AAA, 14 Class AA, and 26 Class B; Dardanelle Area--18 Class B), launch ramps, standard pavilions, picnic sites, restrooms, and bathhouses with hot showers.
"Image by T L McCormick, Russellville, AR"
The Russellville site also features a striking 10,527-square-foot visitor center on the lake shore overlooking Lake Dardanelle. Engaging interpretive exhibits and state-of-the-art touch screen kiosks share information on the park, the area's water resources and its history. A fascinating aquatic exhibit in the center features four aquariums that hold fish found in the lake, the Arkansas River, and its tributaries; Piney Creek and the Illinois Bayou. [Trail of Tears] Another unique facility in the (Russellville) main area is the park's 1,861-square-foot, fishing tournament weigh-in pavilion, a world class facility and the first of its kind in the nation that serves as a staging area for tournaments. Near the weigh-in pavilion is a covered, barrier-free fishing pier, a popular facility for bank fishing enthusiasts, sightseers and photographers with its sweeping view of lake and Mount Nebo to the south.The main park also includes a trail. Rental kayaks and bicycles are available here. And, it's here that park visitors can enjoy nature programs on a wide variety of topics by park interpreters.Privately-owned marinas and boat docks are located in both the Russellville and Dardanelle areas.To reach each area: 1) Russellville, Pope County Side--From I-40 (Exit 81) at Russellville, take Hwy. 7 south, then turn right on Hwy. 326 and travel 4 miles to the main park; OR, from west on I-40, take exit 78, go left on U.S. 64, stay in the right hand lane and turn right on Hwy. 326 to the park. 2) Dardanelle, Yell County Side--From the town of Dardanelle, take Hwy. 22 west for 3.5 miles and turn right into the park.For more information about Arkansas State Parks historic, heritage and cultural parks, go to: History State Parks.com

Contact Information
100 State Park Drive
Russellville, AR 72802
Email: lakedardanelle@arkansas.com
479-967-5516
ArkansasStateParks.com

Russellville Crest Ringer Tee

Coat of Arms with Russellville in Old English text! Get this design with your name or town name or any text you want! Just send me an email so I can make the change!

$21.99

Mount Nebo State Park

To contact the park: 479-229-3655

In 1933, a portion of the mountain was chosen as a park site. Native stone and logs from Mount Nebo were used by the Civilian Conservation Corps to construct many of the park's bridges, trails, rustic-style cabins, and pavilions.
The park offers 34 campsites (24 Class B; 10 Hike-in Tent sites) [no dump station] and 14 fully-equipped cabins with kitchens.Fourteen miles of trails encircle Mount Nebo. For mountain biking enthusiasts, the 4 1/2-mile Bench Trail is a fairly level route encircling the side of 1,850-foot Mount Nebo. As you ride through the mixed hardwood and pine forest, you'll pass historic springs and Fern Lake, and see rock work done by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s. This is an excellent ride for your family's first mountain biking adventure. You can choose from primitive campsites located at intervals along the Bench Trail, or stay in the park campground. [Trail of Tears] Mount Nebo State Park is one of the Arkansas state parks system's two parks offering launch sites for hang gliding enthusiasts. [NOTE: The other park offering launch sites for hang gliders is Mount Magazine State Park located high atop Arkansas's highest mountain, Mount Magazine, near Paris.] For more information about outdoor sports and extreme adventure opportunities in Arkansas's state parks, go to: Adeventure State Parks.com Mount Nebo State Park also features 14 comfortable cabins with fully-equipped kitchens and fireplaces. Bring your own bike or rent one from the park visitor center.Park facilities include a pool, tennis courts, picnic areas, playgrounds, extra-large enclosed and standard open pavilions and a ball field. The visitor center offers exhibits, a store and bicycle rentals.
Interpretive programs tell about the mountain's history and natural resources. [Please note that many private homes are also situated atop the mountain.]To see the view from the park's Sunset Point, visit the virtual tour featured online in the backpacking section of the Web site featuring Arkansas's adventure state parks at: Backpacking. For information about other Arkansas State Parks mountain parks, go to: Mountain State Parks.com. For more information about Arkansas State Parks historic, heritage and cultural parks, go to: History State Parks.com. The park is located seven miles west of Dardanelle on Ark. 155. [NOTE: Ark. 155 zigzags and includes hairpin curves. Trailers over 24 ft. should not attempt the climb up Mount Nebo.]

Contact Information
16728 West State Highway 155
Dardanelle, AR 72834
Email: mountnebo@arkansas.com
To reach the park office or make campsite reservations call 479-229-3655
Arkansas State Parks.com

Dardanelle Dam
Soccer teams from around the state come and compete on the soccer field while families from Russellville and other nearby towns enjoy the day in the beautiful park. Tennis courts and basketball courts are available too. For the fishermen, you have the Arkansas river where some of the biggest catfish in the world have been caught!
There is some bluff areas and nature trails for hikers to hike and climb on the bluffs.
If you are looking for a fun day out on a beautiful spring day, visit the Old Post Road park at the Dardanelle Lock and Dam in Russellville, Arkansas!

Visitor Center information...

The Arkansas River Visitor Center is located off U.S. State Highway 7 south on Lock & Dam Road at the Russellville Project Office in Russellville, Arkansas. This location is the midpointPhoto. Children playing at the visitor center. of the 450-mile McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System.

The theme of the Visitor Center is "Renaissance of a River". Interpretive exhibits tell the story of the development of the River Valley from the time when Native Americans were the sole occupants of this area to the present. It also offers wildlife exhibits, a locking through simulator, and some hands-on exhibits.

This facility was designed to acquaint visitors with the Arkansas River and its man-made transformation into a safe, useful, and productive waterway. The Visitor Center was dedicated August 20, 1985. The keynote speaker was U.S. Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt of Harrison, Arkansas. Visitors from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and many foreign countries toured the center's exhibit area in just the first six months of operation.

The Arkansas River Visitor Center is open:

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday, year-round

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday & Sunday, Memorial Day - Labor Day, and

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day. CLOSED all other Federal Holidays.

1598 Lock And Dam Rd
Russellville, AR 72802
Phone: (479) 968-5008

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Arkansas Deer Value T-shirt
T-shirts and gifts that are made just for Arkansas Deer Hunters. This design features the State Flag of Arkansas, some grunge elements and a big Buck Deer. Want it in another State? Email me!
$16.99
Product Information
Get back to basics with the Value T-Shirt. Enjoy a great look and fit at a reasonable price. The Value T is made of cool, midweight 100% cotton and is perfect for casual summer days.
* Midweight 100% cotton
* Standard fit

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Arkansas Nuclear One -ANO- Nuclear Power Plant
The Arkansas Nuclear One (ANO) power plant, located a few miles west of Russellville (Pope County), is the state's only operational nuclear power plant. Entergy Arkansas, Inc., owns and operates it. ANO is one of nine nuclear reactor sites owned and operated by Entergy Corporation.

In the 1950s and 1960s, nuclear power was found to be a clean and efficient source of electricity, and nuclear power plants began to be constructed nationwide. Arkansas's first nuclear reactor, ANO-Unit One (ANO-1), went online May 21, 1974, bringing Arkansas into the nuclear age of power. On September 1, 1978, ANO-1 was joined by ANO-Unit Two (ANO-2). Bechtel Power engineered both units. Both are pressurized light water reactors.

The Babcock & Wilcox Company made the ANO-1 reactor, and Westinghouse made the generator. When the unit went online, it was listed with a capacity of 836 megawatts (MWe) of electrical output but was upgraded to 846 MWe. At the end of 2003, the unit was running at 91.2 percent capacity and generated 6,779,485 megawatt hours of energy. ANO-1's current license, issued by the Atomic Energy Commission, expires on May 20, 2034.

James Buel "The Arkansas Knifesmith" Lile is one of the most accomplished and famous custom knife makers in American history. He carved his first fixed-blade knife from wood at the age of eight, and by age eleven, he was grinding old files into fixed-blade knives.

James Lile was born on August 22, 1933, in Russellville (Pope County) to Leona and Buel Lile. His father was a coal miner who later worked for Arkla after the mines closed, and his mother was a housewife who also worked twenty years at the Local International Shoe factory.

In 1952, at the age of nineteen, Lile met and worked for Winthrop Rockefeller welding bull pens being built at the Mountain Top Ranch on Petit Jean Mountain. Lile subsequently entered Arkansas Polytechnic College (now Arkansas Tech University) in Russellville in the fall of 1952. In February 1955, Lile married Marilyn Mathis; they had no children. He attended Arkansas Polytechnic College for three years and studied for one year at Arkansas State Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas) in Conway (Faulkner County), and though he never earned a degree, he taught at Pottsville High School from 1956 to 1959 on a ninety-hour teaching certificate, as Arkansas had a great shortage of teachers. He taught science and math, and was the junior girls' basketball coach.

Lile was at Fort Belvier, Virginia, for four months in the mid-1950s while in the military, studying asphalt and concrete construction; he finished first in his class in this field. From 1959 to 1969, he owned and operated the Jimmy Lile Construction Co. and owned and helped operate a sporting goods store, Jimmy Lile Sporty. In the winter, he also worked for the U.S. Forest Service in northwest Arkansas at Mountainburg (Crawford County), planting six million pine trees over two winters. He owned the Case Equipment business, mostly selling small Case bulldozers and backhoes. He also owned the Jimmy Lile Ready Mix Co. with six ready mix trucks and five employees; he won a contract to furnish the concrete for much of the Dardanelle Lock and Dam on the Arkansas River.

In 1970, Lile decided to make knife making his full-time career. His shop and showroom were located on Scenic Highway 7 in Russellville. Lile designed and made the First Blood and Rambo, The Mission knives that were used by Sylvester Stallone in the famous Rambo film series. Lile's Rambo knives have been credited by many for putting American custom knife making on the map. Lile also designed and made several bowie knives that were presented to Governor Bill Clinton and Presidents Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford.

Lile was elected president of the Knifemakers Guild in 1980, serving through 1982. He was inducted into the Cutlery Hall of Fame in August 1991 and was a member of various gun and arms organizations. His Patented Lile Lock folding hunting knife is on permanent display at the Smithsonian in Washington DC. Lile had been contacted by patent attorney Jerome Grosse of St. Louis, Missouri, to provide the knife for display in 1979.

Lile died at home in Russellville on May 5, 1991. He is buried in Russellville.

For additional information:
The Jimmy Lile Website. Jimmy Lile.com

Voyles, J. Bruce. "Jimmy Lile." Blade Magazine, December 1991.

On behalf of the citizens of the City of Russellville, I would like to welcome you to our community. As a lifetime resident of Russellville and a seventeen year Veteran of the City Council, I am very excited as Mayor about the recent and upcoming growth of our City.

The City of Russellville is in a prime location for businesses and manufacturing. We are located on the banks of the Arkansas River and on US Interstate 40, halfway between two of Arkansas's larger metropolitan areas, Little Rock and Fort Smith. With river, interstate and railway access to our city, there are endless possibilities for existing and new industry within our area; therefore we are continuously in search of new industry prospects.

The City of Russellville strives to continually enhance the quality of life for our residents. We are in a convenient location with access to large town amenities, while still maintaining the charm and personalism of a small town.

Whether you've come to Russellville in search of a retirement home or a place to raise a family, Russellville has much to offer, and I think that you will be pleased with your choice.

May God Richly Bless You,
Mayor Tyrone Williamson

Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge

Refuge Facts:

* Established: 1957.
* Acres: 7,057 (fee ownership of 6,616 acres and management of 441 acres included in a migratory bird closure area around the refuge).
* Located in Pope and Yell counties, AR.
* Location: The refuge is located 6 miles south of Dardanelle, Arkansas, just off of State Highway 155 east. The refuge headquarters is located on the refuge.

Natural History:

* Refuge lies along the Arkansas River and is bounded by an old oxbow that was created when the Army Corps of Engineers cut a channel through the bend in the river to promote navigation and flood control.
* The refuge protects 7,000 acres of bottomland hardwoods and wetlands and provides habitat for wintering waterfowl, bald and golden eagles and migratory song birds.

Calendar of Events:

Best months to visit are November through March. Worst months are June through August (hot with an abundance of biting insects).

December/January: Conditions are best for observing waterfowl and eagles.

March/April: Public fishing starts on March 1. Hawks and owls begin mating and nesting activities. Spring songbird migration at its peak.

May: Migratory Bird Day.

June: white-tailed deer fawns and turkey poults may be seen.

July: scissor-tailed flycatchers can be seen throughout the refuge.

August: blue-winged teal begin to arrive.

September: other waterfowl species begin to arrive.

October: archery deer hunting, National Wildlife Refuge Week.

November: many species of waterfowl present, Canada and snow geese becoming abundant.

National Park Contact Information:
Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge
Rt. 1, Box 59
Dardanelle, 72834

Directions:
Holla Bend NWR is located about 5 miles southeast of Dardanelle, Arkansas. From Dardanelle, take State Highway 7 South to State Highway 155 East and go about 4 miles to the refuge entrance. Once you enter the refuge the office/visitor area is about 1/2 mile down the road on the right.

Website with more information!

Russellville is a pretty quiet city when it comes to crime. We have our usual domestic disputes and drug dealers that get busted, but murders are a rare thing around here.
But, Russellville is not without a couple high profile murder cases that did happen here, and did catch the attention of the national media.
Read the two pages listed below to find out more about these high profile murder cases.

Nona Dirksmeyer - Death of a Beauty Queen
On a cold night, in December 2005, the little community of Russellville Arkansas lost one of it's brightest stars. Nona Dirksmeyer age 19 and a student at the local college, Arkansas Tech University, was found murdered in her off campus apartment. Her body was discovered by her boyfriend Kevin Jones. She had been badly beaten and her body was naked and covered with blood.

Ronald Gene Simmons killed 14 members of his family plus two others
Ronald Gene Simmons was a retired Air Force Sergeant. Over the Christmas holidays in 1987, he methodically executed 14 members of his family: 6 daughters, 3 sons, 2 grandsons, 1 son-in-law, 1 daughter-in-law and his wife. (One of his daughters was also his granddaughter)Two days later, he went into town and killed two others. Waived all appeals.

On average, the weather is very beautiful here in Russellville, but we do have our extremes! Early spring can bring serious threats of tornadoes and heavy storms. Summers can be long and hot! Winters can get cold and ice, sometimes snow. This winter we seen snow on the ground only three times.

Climate

Being part of the Sun Belt, Russellville has a moderate four-season climate. The average July temperature is 80 degrees, the lowest average summer temperature of any Southern state. The average January temperature is 40-45 degrees. Average annual temperature is 58 - 65 degrees. There is virtually no work time lost due to inclement weather with an average of only one or two days of snowfall in the River Valley each year.

Rainfall averages 45-55 inches per year. We encompass part of the region the U.S. Department of the Interior rates as one of the seven best places in the country for climate, air and water quality.

You can read more about Russellville weather averages on this site... Russellville weather and other information!

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