Monticello, Arkansas, United States

🇺🇸 Monticello is a college town in, and the county seat of, Drew County, Arkansas, United States. Founded in 1849 in the Arkansas Timberlands near the Arkansas Delta region, the city has long been a commercial, cultural and educational hub for south-east Arkansas. With a historically agriculture- and silviculture-based economy, Monticello has diversified to include growth from the medical sector and the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM).

History When Drew County was formed in 1846, its citizens decided that a new town should be built to serve as the county seat. In 1849, land was donated for the town site. The first courthouse was built in 1851, and a second courthouse was erected in 1857.

Two trials were held in that courthouse in March and September 1859 to consider whether the slave Abby Guy ought to be freed. She said that a former master had manumitted her but that years later, she was illegally kidnapped and re-enslaved by his brother. The first trial in her freedom suit resulted in a hung jury, but the second jury of twelve local white men found in her favor. Top lawyers worked on her case, and she married another white man who assisted her. The case was appealed to the state supreme court, which ruled in Guy's favor. Guy was set free as were her children because they were born to a free woman.[page needed]

During the Civil War, several small skirmishes were fought around Monticello. The Rodger's Female Academy was used as a hospital for Confederate soldiers.

In September 1922, a Ku Klux Klan chapter was established in Monticello. The chapter had 404 members, including 52 charter members. Many of Monticello's business and political elites were officers in the Klan chapter or charter members. The mayor, the city marshal, and half of the

members of the city council were members of the Klan during the period 1921-1925.

Geography Monticello is located west of the centre of Drew County. U.S. Routes 425 and 278 intersect in the city, west of downtown. U.S. 425 leads north 50 miles (80 km) to Pine Bluff and south 29 miles (47 km) to Hamburg, while US 278 leads west 16 miles (26 km) to Warren and east 26 miles (42 km) to McGehee. In the future, I-530 is planned to be extended and end at the proposed I-69 west of Monticello. Only part of future I-69 that is built is US 278 bypass named "Monticello Bypass". It is a two-lane expressway. A portion of future I-530 is opened as AR 530 and is a two-lane expressway.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Monticello has a total area of 11.0 square miles (28.6 km²), of which 0.02 square miles (0.04 km²), or 0.14%, is water.

Government Monticello operates under a mayor-council government, with two aldermen representing the city's four wards on the city council. Aldermen are elected to two-year terms. The mayor, city attorney, and municipal judge are elected to four-year terms.

Education Primary and secondary Most of Monticello is served by the Monticello School District while small portions are served by the Drew Central School District.

The Monticello School District consists of Monticello Elementary School (grades K to 2), Monticello Intermediate School (grades 3 to 5) Monticello Middle School (grades 6 to 8), and Monticello High School (grades 9 to 12).

The Drew Central School District primarily serves the outlying areas of Monticello. It consists of Drew Central Elementary School (grades PreK to 4), Drew Central Middle School (grades 5 to 8), and Drew Central High School (grades 9 to 12).

Monticello also has two private academies. Monticello Christian Academy serves grades K through 12, and Grace Christian Academy serves grades K through 8.

Athletics High School football is a popular community event; the Monticello High School Billies won the AAA (now AAAAA) state championship in 1994 and in 2009.

Post-secondary Monticello is the home of the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Public libraries The Southeast Arkansas Public Library has its headquarters in the Monticello Branch Library.

Media: Radio • KGPQ 99.9 FM, adult contemporary • KHBM 1430 AM • KHBM-FM 93.7 FM, classic rock

Media: Print • The Advance Monticellonian (weekly) • South Ark Weather & News (daily) • South Ark Daily (daily).