Area Information

In Paragould, you will find community and business leaders who have bridged the gap between their historical roots and their progressive future. Paragould offers a pro-business environment and takes great pride in its educational institutions. In 1882 two railroads built their lines into the county and crossed at a point where a town would be built. One was the St Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad, later to be known as the Missouri Pacific, headed by the famous railroad magnate, Jay Gould. The other railroad was the Texas and St Louis, later called the Cotton Belt. J.W. Paramore served as president.

Lyon College in Batesville has become recognized as one of the finest small liberal arts colleges in the nation, and has been named as one of the "Best Buys" in higher education by "U.S. News & World Report" and "The Wall Street Journal."  Arkansas State University in Jonesboro is a quality institution known for offering special services to the people of the Arkansas Delta. Other institutions of higher education in the area include Black River Technical College, a public two-year college in Pocahontas; Harding University in Searcy; Cotton Boll Technical Institute with a Paragould campus; Greene County Industrial Training Center; and Crowley's Ridge College, located in Paragould on a 112-acre campus, is fully accredited. Arkansas Methodist Hospital is a 129-bed facility serving northeast Arkansas and southeast Missouri. AMH employs more than 500, making it one of the largest employers in the county. Committed to the health and well being of the area, staff members are very involved in community activities. Paragould also has two nursing centers and a retirement home. St Bernards Regional Medical Center is located in nearby Jonesboro. Crowley's Ridge State Park makes a special effort to bring more of the special events programming that makes the park an exciting and relaxing experience for the whole family. Located atop the forested hills known as Crowley's Ridge, Crowley's Ridge State Park is named for Benjamin Crowley, whose family was among the first to settle this area. Log and stone structures constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s set a rustic mood. Park facilities include 4 fully-equipped modern duplex cabins with kitchens and a group lodging area featuring 5 bunk cabins, a kitchen/dining hall and a bathhouse. Plus there are also 26 campsites, multiple picnic areas, a snack bar, numerous trails, standard pavilions, a baseball field, the 31-acre fishing lake and a 3 1/2-acre swimming lake. Anglers will enjoy Lake Frierson and Lake Charles, 2 state parks are fully stocked, making them some of the hottest fishing spots in the region. The Collins Theater brings cultural events to the city throughout the year, including musical theater productions as well as a number of ballets courtesy of the Eastern Arkansas Ballet. We're confident that Paragould offers something for everyone, regardless of age or interest. Contact us today to learn more about making this progressive community your home.

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