Town of the Week

Jonesboro, Arkansas
March 13, 1999

Hacked out of the swampland and woods of Crowley's Ridge years ago, this town in northeast Arkansas has become one of the most liveable small towns in that state. From its beginning in 1859 as the new seat of Craighead County, Jonesboro has become the center of a regional business, commercial and medical trade-area covering parts of three states. The town is located just a few miles from the Missouri and Tennessee state lines, and is named for State Senator William A Jones, who worked assiduously to get the town officially recognized in its early days.

The town's public school system has been cited recently by Redbook Magazine as one offering "Overall Excellence". Nearly ten thousand students attend the Jonesboro campus of Arkansas State University, primarily in Arts and Science, and in Education.

Tourists wend their way here to see old Jonesboro, with beautifully restored old houses open to the public. A former large movie theatre, the Strand, now known as the Forum, is the civic center in town, offering plays, dance and symphony music.

Jonesboro is home to five hospitals and four nursing homes, and has a unique program offering health care access to working persons who do not have medical insurance, and are not eligible for other coverage.0

Known for hospitality, it's our Town of the Week, Jonesboro, Arkansas.

City of Jonesboro Homepage: http://www.jonesboro.org