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Conway, AR

Welcome

Welcome to Conway, Arkansas — home to three colleges, a thriving business community, scenic lakes and parks, and a vibrant community with endless opportunities for culture, recreation and shopping. A creative blend of modern and quaint, Conway has the energy of a big city while it maintains its small-town quality of life that is simply second to none.

Conway was founded by A.P. Robinson, who came to the city shortly after the Civil War. Robinson was the chief engineer for the Little Rock-Fort Smith Railroad (now the Union Pacific). Part of his compensation was the deed to a tract of land, 1 square mile, located near the old settlement of Cadron. When the railroad came though, Robinson deeded a small tract of his land back to the railroad for a depot site. He laid out a town site around the depot and named it Conway Station, in honor of a famous Arkansas family. Conway Station contained two small stores, two saloons, a depot, some temporary housing and a post office.
Conway was designated the county seat of Faulkner County in 1873, the same year that the county was created by the legislature. In October 1875, Conway was incorporated and, at that time, had a population of almost 200. Originally the town was just 1 square mile; today Conway takes up about 40 square miles and has more than 50,000 residents.

In 1890, Conway took its first steps toward distinction in the area of higher learning. It was that year that the Methodist Church relocated Hendrix College from Altus to Conway. Three years later, the Baptist State Convention decided to open Central College for Girls, and Conway was selected for the site. In 1907, Arkansas Normal School (now the University of Central Arkansas) was established in Conway. The city had rightfully earned its designation as the “City of Colleges” or the “Athens of Arkansas.”

For many years, Conway flourished as a center for agriculture and education. After World War II, diversification of the economy was started by Conway businessmen, and several small industries were attracted to Conway. Subsequently, additional state institutions were located in Conway, including the headquarters for the Office of Emergency Services, the Human Development Center, and the Arkansas Educational Television Network.

Today the railroad still runs through the heart of downtown Conway. Also, Conway is still home to three institutions of higher learning — Hendrix College, Central Baptist College and the University of Central Arkansas. There are more than 13,000 students enrolled in the three schools.

Conway capitalizes on its central location in the state and close proximity to Little Rock. Adjacent to Interstate 40 and Highways 64 and 65, Conway is about 30 miles northwest of Little Rock.

This central location makes Conway a major distribution and service center for the Central Arkansas population. Within a 500-mile radius there are 17 states and 24 metropolitan areas, which include over a third of the nation’s population.

Conway has become the central gateway to the Ozarks. Many tourists stop off in Conway on their ways to such places as Branson, Eureka Springs, Mountain View, Murfreesboro and Hot Springs.

A Good Choice
Conway has a healthy business and industrial climate with a diversified local economy, as well as a vibrant downtown area full of shops that attract locals and visitors alike. The public schools are top notch, and great private schools are available as well. The faith community is strong and devoted to the well-being of the community as a whole. The city services are excellent and are offered at economical rates. Civic clubs and service agencies are active and well supported. The area’s health care facilities are state of the art. For those who enjoy recreation — you never have to sit at home. For those who enjoy the arts — there are countless opportunities to choose from.

The lifestyle residents enjoy here is the result of a lot of hard work and foresight on the part of good leaders who had always laid good plans for growth and development. The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce — along with organizations like the Conway Corporation, Conway Development Corporation and the Downtown Partnership — has ensured that residents for generations to come will find Conway a great place to have fun, raise a family, succeed in business, and call home.