KUAR Arkansas’s Amazing Place Names #40
Religious names - Introduction
Churches are common sights in Arkansas towns and along our roadways. Besides bringing faith in sermons, songs, and Sunday socials, the religions of our citizens have contributed place names to Arkansas, sometimes in obvious ways and sometimes in ways not as obvious. Early settlements, especially in the mountains, often grew up around churches and took on their names. Some towns hearken to Biblical geography, while other places are named for particular beliefs or ideals. Mostly, these reflect our state’s large Baptist population, but other denominations are represented on the map, often illustrating where different ethnic groups made their homes. From rivers to towns, religious names provide visible evidence of what has been considered important to Arkansans. Join us in tracking down interesting and sometimes unexpected histories of places named for the faiths of our fathers and mothers.
Daniel Boice
University of Arkansas at Monticello