Tucked away in northeastern Conway County, Center Ridge is an unincorporated community with deep historical roots and a warm rural appeal. From Civil War divisions to its evolving agricultural economy, Center Ridge tells a story of resilience and growth.

Center Ridge Street Scene (Conway County); circa early 1900s.
Center Ridge Heritage Association

A Journey Through History

Before the creation of Brewer Lake in central Conway County, archaeological digs revealed evidence that Native Americans lived in the area for thousands of years. In contrast, the upland regions of Conway County were sparsely populated until the late 1830s, when white settlers started to arrive. Lick Mountain, roughly four miles west of modern-day Center Ridge, was the first community to emerge in the area. The township is still called Lick Mountain today.

Northern Conway County was deeply divided by the Civil War. There were strong loyalties to both the Confederacy and the Union. Some local men enlisted in the Confederate regiments, Tenth Arkansas Infantry. But, in 1862, approximately seventy men joined the Union army as Company B of the First Arkansas Infantry Battalion, led by Captain Thomas Jefferson Williams of Lick Mountain.

There was widespread devastation throughout the region in the last three years of the war, with intense guerrilla warfare and bitter feuding between Unionist and Confederate families. The conflict continued during Reconstruction in 1868, with Unionists (Republican Militia) clashing with former Confederates (Ku Klux Klan). This division between families and Republican and Democratic ideologies continued well into the twentieth century.

Cotton gin at Center Ridge (Conway County); circa 1900.
Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Central Arkansas Library System

Center Ridge was established in 1878 when settlers Frank O. Stobaugh and L. D. Jones built permanent homes, had a surveyor map out the area, and successfully petitioned for a post office. The Stobaugh house, which also served as a hotel, still stands today. The name "Center Ridge" was taken from an earlier post office, established in 1867 about five miles north on a ridge at Joseph E. Halbrook’s home. Although this original post office closed after a few years, the name was revived for the new post office in 1879.

During the 1880s, Center Ridge experienced rapid growth. Methodist and Baptist churches were established, and Frank Stobaugh served as pastor for a small Christian church congregation. By 1890, the population had grown to approximately 250 residents. The community featured a school, four general stores, a drugstore, two hotels, a grist mill, and a cotton gin that processed about 300 bales of cotton annually. Local professionals included two physicians, a shoemaker, and a blacksmith/wagon maker. Center Ridge also had a Masonic lodge, a chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), and a camp of the Sons of Union Veterans, reflecting lingering Unionist sentiment from the Civil War era.

In the late 1870s and 1880s, Italian immigrants settled about two miles south of Center Ridge in what became known as Catholic Point. In 1883, they built a Roman Catholic church. The parish grew to include a resident priest in 1924 and a parochial school in 1929, which operated until 1967. With distinct differences in language, culture, and religion from their Protestant neighbors, the Italians at Catholic Point maintained a close-knit community within the larger area for many generations.

Students at the school at Center Ridge (Conway County); 1917.
Arkansas State Archives

In the 1920s, the local school in Center Ridge joined with ten smaller schools for white children in the area to create the Nemo Vista School—a large rural school district in northeastern Conway County. African American children had to travel twenty miles south to attend the all-black school in Menifee. These black settlements remained until the 1960s. The first black student graduated from Nemo Vista in 1968.

From its earliest days, Center Ridge served as a commercial hub for local farmers, who primarily harvested corn, cotton, and timber. But, the Great Depression and the Drought of 1930–31 devastated the local economy. Many residents relocated to other states looking for better opportunities. By the 1940s, cotton farming had been mostly replaced by cattle, poultry and agricultural industries.

In the early 2000s, natural gas production from the Fayetteville Shale reservoir brought an economic boom to Center Ridge. Dozens of wells on the community’s outskirts brought in traffic for local businesses. But, by 2016, the natural gas industry had declined, bringing an end to this period of economic growth.

Things to Do

Despite its small size, Center Ridge and its surrounding areas offer a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs:

1. Explore Cadron Creek: Visit Cadron Creek Outfitters for kayaking and canoeing adventures.

2. Zipline at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch: Experience an adrenaline rush at the nearby Horseshoe Canyon Ranch Zipline.

3. Discover local history: Take a self-guided tour of the area's historic sites, including the Stobaugh house/hotel, which still stands in Center Ridge.

4. Visit nearby attractions: Explore the Indian Rock House Cave, Natural Bridge, and Glory Hole Falls, all located within driving distance of Center Ridge.

Photo: Michael McCarthy,
via Flickr, CC 2.0

LITTLE KNOWN FACTS:

Well-known Arkansas personality, Marlin Hawkins, was born near Center Ridge in 1913 and later served as sheriff of Conway County.

Another moment of wider attention for the area came in 1962 when musicians Merle Kilgore and Claude King wrote the song “Wolverton Mountain” (with King singing), about Kilgore’s uncle Clifton Clowers, who lived on the northeastern part of Wolverton Mountain. For several weeks, the song topped the country charts and crossed over to pop charts; other singers, such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Nat King Cole, and Bing Crosby, recorded the song in the 1960s. While the song faded from the charts and Clifton Clowers died in 1994 at the age of 102, Wolverton Mountain remains a scenic backdrop for the western view from Center Ridge.

City park at Center Ridge (Conway County)
Photo by Mike Keckhaver

Neighborhoods and Real Estate

Center Ridge's real estate market offers a variety of options for potential buyers:

- The northeast parts of the city tend to be more popular, while the northwest regions offer more affordable housing options.

- As of 2025, the median listing home price in Center Ridge is $166,250, making it an attractive option if you are looking for affordable rural living.

- The area features a mix of historic homes and newer construction, offering a variety of home options and budgets.

A Place to Call Home

Today, Center Ridge offers a peaceful lifestyle surrounded by nature. Blending historic homes with modern options, its rural charm appeals to those seeking a quiet yet connected community.

Whether you're visiting for the scenic views or looking for a welcoming place to settle, Center Ridge has a lot to offer with small-town Arkansas living and easy access to outdoor recreation — all set against a rich historical backdrop.

Looking for a home or land in Center Ridge, Arkansas? Here’s what currently on the market: Homes for sale in Center Ridge