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Gentry, AR

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We would like to provide the residents of  Gentry  a basic history overview.

The WikiXM 'Gentry' platform is your gateway to becoming an active part of our vibrant community, regardless of your age or how long you've called 'Gentry' home. It's more than just a news platform; it's a thriving hub where the collective wisdom of every 'Gentry' resident converges to ignite discussions, foster learning, and empower one another with knowledge about our beloved town.

Here in 'Gentry', we have a diverse tapestry of residents. Some have roots that run deep, their knowledge steeped in the rich history of our town. Others are students, dedicated to keeping us updated on school activities, while many are committed to sharing the ebb and flow of daily life.

What's more, from a civic and political perspective, there are countless opportunities for you to join in. Many in our community offer updates on policies and decisions, offering their unique insights. This platform is where all these local perspectives meld together, creating a better place for everyone to live, regardless of your age or how long you've been a part of 'Gentry'.

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Gentry, AR - History


We would like to provide the residents of  Gentry  a basic history overview.


Welcome to the Gentry Home page. The Gentry Home page provides as much information as possible on Gentry. Knowing Gentry’s history is essential to guiding its future. Within Gentry’s Home page, you will also find Gentry’s Founders, Holiday, and Birthday sections.

Gentry has a population of 3963. 49.3% of Gentry’s inhabitants are Male, and 50.7 are female. 59.4% of Gentry is married and 62.4% own their own home. The Average Home price is $124,556, and the average rent is $930. Household median income in Gentry is $43,873, and the individual median income is $22,897. Gentry’s Ethnic is the following: White(93.4%), Hispanic(16.3%), Multiple(3.6%), Black(0.9%), Other(0.9%), Native(0.6%), Asian(0.5%).


Gentry began as a rural Ozark agricultural community named Orchard City. Located in western Benton County, it was known for its apple orchards and other produce. The town began to grow when the Kansas City Southern Railroad was constructed through the town. In 1894, residents of the community petitioned the county to officially incorporate, and the city's name was changed to Gentry, after an official in charge of the construction of the railroad. The railroad proved important to Gentry, and by 1903 the town had grown to a population of 1,000. The railroad company built a new depot in Gentry in 1926–1927.


It was known as one of the nicest depots on the railway line. A banquet was held for the grand opening, and railway officials arrived on a special train to commemorate the event. Four to six passenger trains a week came through Gentry until passenger service was discontinued in 1964. In 1937, Highway 59 was built, running through the city north and south.


It remains the main highway through the city, linking Gentry with other west Benton County communities.In 1946, the City Council voted to buy a water tank for $1,650 from the War Assets Corporation in Kentucky. In 1948, the city held a special election to issue bonds to install larger water mains and additional fireplugs.


In the 1950s, the city purchased its own water company. At the beginning of the 21st century, Gentry was expanding water lines into rural areas surrounding the community. Using donations, local businesses built the first auditorium at the intersection of Main and Collins streets. The building now houses the city's police department and courtroom. In the 1960s, when agriculture was no longer the economic base it had once been for the city and the railroad, the train depot was torn down. The next decade saw the beginning of the construction of a power plant by Southwestern Electric Power Company (often known as SWEPCO).


The plant, located 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the city limits, is a coal-fueled electric generating facility called Flint Creek Power Plant. Today SWEPCO continues to provide electrical power, and SWEPCO Lake (shown on maps as "Lake Flint Creek") is used for fishing and recreation. To ease traffic through downtown, a new Arkansas Highway 12 bypass was built on the southern edge of town.


In the early 1970s, the Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari was established north of town. The 400-acre (160 ha) park is home to a variety of exotic animals and consists of a 4 miles (6 km) drive-through, petting parks and walk-through areas for interaction with the animals. In 1983, the McKee Foods Corporation (then known as McKee Baking Company) opened its manufacturing facility in Gentry.The city celebrated its centennial in 1994 and held a 110th Birthday Bash in 2004.


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