Westside Community Guide

10 – 2022 Westside Community Guide ■ DECATUR: where everyone is a neighbor Westside Eagle Observer/SUBMITTED Three students take the opportunity to explore the inside of electronics, like this television monitor, to get a beginner's look into the inside world of tinkering. Toy take apart was a huge hit during the March 3 STEAM night program at Decatur Northside Elementary. By Brittany Smith Decatur, Arkansas is a charming town situated in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, positioned between Gentry and Gravette, just northeast of Siloam Springs on Highway 59. e small town has a big heart that prides itself on its wholesome lifestyle but is anything but a sleepy little town. Decatur has deep roots in Arkansas' history and places an importance on local businesses, preserving their environment, and providing everything their residents need all within approximately five square miles. Decatur's history goes back to before Arkansas was even a state, due to early settlers of the town who were drawn to a nearby fresh-water spring. e town went through several names before it eventually became Decatur, named aer Stephen Decatur, a war hero whose relatives were living in the area at the time. In the early years of Decatur, the town was known for its prosperous crops of strawberries, peaches, and apples. Crop export and production was greatly helped by the addition of the Kansas City Southern Railroad that put a depot in the town. You can take in a piece of Decatur history by visiting either a mid-1800s log cabin that preserves the local history during the Civil War days or one of the last standing Kansas City Southern Train depots. e train depot has since been converted into a museum and features an iconic F7 locomotive and caboose. e original depot burned to the ground in 1908 but was restored in 1995 by Lloyd Peterson and underwent a second restoration in 2020 that was overseen by the Decatur Historical Commission. Although Decatur offers all the charm of small-town living it still provides for most of the resident's needs with a bank, medical clinic, convenience store, library, churches, local shops, and restaurants, and is always welcoming of new businesses to the area. Additionally, the City of Decatur Chamber of Commerce takes a progressive approach to local business community by providing services and opportunities for networking. e Decatur School District is comprised of three schools: Decatur Northside Elementary, Decatur Middle School, and Decatur High School. e independent school district's vision is to "partner with the community, in a stable, safe, and caring 'hometown' learning environment that focuses on the changing needs of the students and achieves educational excellence." Each of the three Decatur schools' primary focus is on the students and providing them with all the tools necessary to succeed in life by offering programs such as college prep classes and summer school programs. e school district, teachers, students, and community, work hard to maintain the strength of the Bulldog pride. Decatur's Parks and Recreation Department makes enjoying the outdoors a breeze for the entire family. ere are several parks throughout the town including Veteran's Park, Edmiston Park, Crystal Lake, Compton Ridge, Royce Johnson Memorial Park, McCollum Memorial Picnic Area, and Old City Park. Each park has its own amenities such as playgrounds, walking trails, sports facilities, disc golf, tennis, soccer, basketball, fishing, and beautiful green spaces that are ideal for both an aernoon of playing or relaxing and enjoying the incredible surroundings. ere are countless events put on throughout the year that will get you mingling and feeling like part of the community. Celebrate our nation's heroes at the Veteran's Day Parade, dress up in your favorite costume at Decatur Trunk or Treat, get into the holiday spirit at the annual Christmas Parade, hop onto your Harley for the Wyatt Hopkins Memorial Poker Run, or enjoy the finest barbecue around at the much talked about Decatur Barbecue that has been a tradition for more than 60 years. e Annual Decatur Barbecue happens the first Saturday of August and features a parade, car show, cras, and of course, some of the finest barbecue in the region. e city of Decatur strives to maintain the city's ideals while also progressing towards a prosperous future for every resident. e community is as resolute as the values they've held since the town's inception because in Decatur; "everyone is a neighbor."

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