Decatur, AR

Decatur is a city located in Marion County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 9,828 at the 2010 census. Decatur is the county seat of Marion County and home to the University of Arkansas at Decatur.

The city was founded in 1836 as a trading post on the Ouachita River by James Decatur and John Overton. The town was named for Stephen Decatur, an American naval hero who died in 1820 while fighting a British ship off the coast of Brazil. In 1838, Decatur became the capital of Arkansas Territory when it was created from parts of Hempstead and Washington counties. It became a city in 1870.

Decatur is known for its historic architecture and downtown district which features many well-preserved buildings from the late 19th century through the early 20th century including several examples of Romanesque Revival architecture. The downtown area has been designated as a National Historic Landmark District and includes more than 50 contributing buildings including City Hall (1870), First Baptist Church (1868), Masonic Temple (1901), and Hotel Gibson (1907). Other notable attractions include the University of Arkansas at Decaturs campus which features numerous academic buildings, athletic facilities, gardens, lakes, and green spaces as well as museums such as the James K. Polk Museum of Art (formerly known as Mabel Walker Willey Museum) which houses one of Americas most significant collections of African American art and artifacts from throughout history.