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The city of White Hall is located in Jefferson County, in South East Arkansas. We are about 35 minutes south of Little Rock and 10 minutes north of Pine Bluff, just off of Interstate 530.  Just right for our residents to enjoy the comfort of small town living with quick access the big city life.

The current estimated population is 6,000. The city was incorporated in 1964 with a population of 1,250. The city gradually increased in population and in classification. In 1982, the city became a First Class city with a population of 2,500.  Pretty much a bedroom community known for its quiet residential areas and excellent school system, White Hall is experiencing a business boom.  New shopping plazas and a multitude of dining facilities are locating in this growing community.  Several excellent residential subdivisions have been appearing throughout the community.

Contributing to the growth of White Hall has been its proximity to six major employment centers; the Pine Bluff Arsenal, the National Center for Toxicological Research, Entergy's White Bluff Steam Generating Plant, Jefferson Industrial Park and the White Hall School District.

climate

White Hall enjoys a mild southern climate. Current weather conditions.  Our average annual rainfall is 46 inches.  Our average annual snowfall is .02 inches. Prevailing winds are S-SW and our annual average temperature is 63.5 degrees F.

history

The name "White Hall" comes from the early Methodist Church building, a frame structure located near the present site of the White Hall United Methodist Church (located on Church Avenue). The building was used for church services for several religious groups and as a school and community meeting hall. The building was "whitewashed" instead of being painted; thus the name "White Hall." The timber for the building came from a local forest and sawmill.

The community of White Hall grew around Crenshaw Springs, which is located near The Dollarway Road (Highway 365), adjacent to the parking lot at White Hall Plaza. The community was started in the late 1800's and early 1900's. A handwritten deed dated September 6, 1898 and signed by J.H. and Clara Pilkington, states that the Crenshaw Springs School House in District 27 be given permission to use the water from the springs. Crenshaw Springs was the only source of good water in the area and served as a place where early stagecoaches stopped to water their teams and where local housewives washed their clothes.

government

The City of White Hall has a mayor-council form of government. The city is divided into three wards and the city council consists of six aldermen. All officials are elected on a city wide basis; every four years a Mayor and City Clerk/Treasurer are elected, and every two years six council members are elected. The City Attorney, Police Chief, and Fire Chief are appointed by the Mayor.

The City Hall is located on 101 Parkway Drive in a 4,000 square feet brick veneer building.  The building has a community room with a capacity of 75-100 persons.  The community room can be reserved for Saturday and Sundays, reserve in person at City Hall - a fee is required.  City Hall hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.

holidays

  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr./Robert E. Lee's Birthday
  • President's Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veteran's Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Holidays

phone numbers

  • City Hall:  870-247-2399
  • City Fax: 870-247-2229
  • White Hall Police, non-emergency: 870-247-1415
  • White Hall Police, emergency:  870-247-1414
  • White Hall Fire Department: 870-247-1313.  To report a fire, call 911.
  • Animal Control:  870-247-2399, after hour emergency: 247-1414.
  • Jefferson County Sheriff:  870-541-5352 or 541-5496
  • Arkansas State Police:  870-247-1483

employees

  • Mayor - James "Jitters" Morgan
  • City Clerk/Treasurer - Ellen K. Welch
  • City Attorney - Robert Wyatt, Jr.
  • Court Clerk - Pam Atherly
  • Water Clerk - Karen Preston
  • Secretary - Sandra Truman
  • Receptionist - Lisa Wright

city crew

  • Rickey Doucey
  • Chad Hubanks
  • Richard Turner
  • Troy Roberts
  • Dewayne Simpson
  • Jason Kelley
  • Jonathan Nelson
  • Jason Durratt

court

The White Hall Court meets three times a month on average. Traffic offenses from speeding to DWI are dealt with. Judge John Cone also hears cases such as violation of city ordinances and misdemeanor crimes. There is also a court date once a month for juvenile court which deals with juvenile offenders under the age of 18. Regular court sessions are held at the White Hall City Hall on the First Monday and the second and third Thursdays of the month. Additional court days are scheduled as the need arises. For more information, call 870-247-1420.

council members

  • Alderman Ward 1, Position 1 - Larry Allison
  • Alderman Ward 1, Position 2 - Ken Smith
  • Alderman Ward 2, Position 1 - David Matheny
  • Alderman Ward 2, Position 2 - Ed May
  • Alderman Ward 3, Position 1 - David Beck
  • Alderman Ward 3, Position 2 - Joel Foster

police department

Located at 8204 Dollarway Road.  Hours:  8:00am - 5:00pm Monday through Friday.

  • Chief Noel Foster
  • Assistant Chief Richard Wingard
  • Sergeant Greg Moody
  • Sergeant Paul Brown
  • Resource Robyn Stayton
  • Resource Bob Hudson
  • Brian Hornsby
  • Shawn House
  • Hershel Shipman
  • John White
  • Marty Williams
  • Jan Scarlett
  • Barbie Parsley
  • Jerry Pye
  • Bobby Gill
  • Michael Harrison
  • David Matheny
  • Joe White
  • Scott Taylor
  • Randy David
  • Robert Reed

volunteer fire department

Located at 208 Anderson Street.  Meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday, at White Hall Fire Department

  • Eddie Anderson, EMT
  • John Badgley, Paramedic
  • William Beadle EMT Captain
  • Sandy Castleberry, Assistant Chief
  • Brian Croft
  • Tony Croft
  • Rickey Doucey, Chief
  • Shawn Gasaway, Paramedic
  • David Hopson, Captain
  • Calvin Kidwell
  • Zack Lay
  • CJ Moore
  • Greg Needler
  • Robert Norman
  • John Reed
  • Joey Rotton
  • Joe Spadoni
  • Wes Terry
  • Joey Tomboli
  • Chris White, Lieutenant
  • Kevin Wood

advertising and promotion commission

  • Larry Cranford, Chairman
  • Larry Allison
  • Jeanette Lightfoot
  • Ken Smith
  • Noble Wilson
  • Douglas P. Grimm
  • James (Buddy) Pitillo

finance committee

  • Ed May, Chairman
  • Ken Smith
  • Larry Allison
  • Jerrel Boast
  • Terry Boone
  • Joe White
  • Helen Rasor

fire and police committee

  • Joel Foster, Chairman
  • David Matheny
  • William Beadle
  • Joe Calhoun
  • Betsy Francis
  • David Boast
  • Scott Presten

museum committee

Meets February, May, August, and November.  3rd Tuesday, 7:00 pm at the White Hall Museum.

  • Janice Grider, Director
  • Bea Ashcraft, Chairman
  • Brenda Doucey, Secretary
  • Ron Wise
  • Jean Boast
  • Daisy Turner
  • Curtis White
  • John Overman, Maintenance

museum

The White Hall Museum is located at 9011 Dollarway Road

Phone (870)247-9406. 
Hours: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday

The estate of the late Carl B. and Essie Mae Carter made it possible for the City of White Hall to have a museum. The City accepted the estate on February 1, 1989. The efforts of the White Hall Historical Society has brought great interest to the museum and it's contents. A railroad caboose, a gift from the Cotton Belt Railroad, is located in a mini-park at the east end of the property. Directly in front of the caboose is a portion of the Old Dollarway Road. Dollarway Road was the first long rural concrete highway in the country. It was originally built in 1913-1914 and was replaced in 1930 by a modern two lane highway.

Located on the museum grounds is a memorial in honor of those who valiantly served in the Armed Forces of the United States. The monument contain three slabs of Georgia granite with up to 450 engraved names. The monument has the emblems of the Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force also engraved on it. A circular walkway lined with brick on both sides will surround the monument. Benches are placed in an open area for seating and reflecting. There are  three flag poles with the American, Arkansas and POW/MIA flags. The monument is illuminated at night with spotlights.

The "Friends of the White Hal Museum" was founded in 1997 to integrate the cooperative efforts of the museum's outreach programs with the volunteerism and resources of the community and has approximately 30 charter members. Memberships start at $5. Gold members (donations of $100 to $499) and platinum members ($500 and over) will have their name or company name place on a plaque in the museum. All donations are welcome. To become a member of "Friends of the White Hall Museum", sign up at the Museum.

ordinance and personnel committee

  • David Beck, Co-Chairman
  • David Matheny, Co-Chairman
  • Greg Stanford
  • Merry Tom Dorris
  • Barbara Goodwin
  • Janice Grider
  • Scott Hudson

park committee

  • Larry Allison - Chairman
  • Joel Foster
  • Kathy Benton
  • Mike Metcalf
  • Greg Terry
  • John Terry
  • Barry Rook

city park

Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (Closed after 10:30 p.m.)

The 40+ acre park is located across from City Hall and is easily accessible to all residents of the City.   The City Park facilities existing at this time are six ball fields, several paved walking trails, playground equipment, restrooms, community building, pavilions, amphitheater and a fitness area.

Twenty acres of land was purchased in 1966 and was developed by the city and volunteer organizations. The White Hall Lions Club assumed responsibility cleaned and partially clearing 4 acres of the western portion. That portion was dedicated to ball fields, tennis courts and parking area. The Lion's Club continues to contribute to the park, funding a gazebo in 1998.

Park development continues with the city purchasing and additional 20 acres, expanding parking the the ball park area and raising the old tennis court area. The city Park Commission oversees development.

planning commission

Meets 2nd Monday of each month at City Hall

  • Terry Smith, Chairman
  • David Judkins
  • Ken Smith
  • Jay Tucker
  • David Matheny
  • Charles Rush
  • James Bell

street, water and sewer

Most areas of White Hall have city sewer service.  There is a minimum charge of approx. $11.45 a month.  The fee to tie onto the system while the sewer line ditch is open is approx. $800 while the fee is increased to around $1200 if the city has to make the installation after line is covered.

The water deposit is $50.  The minimum charge for the first 1000 gallons of water used is around $4.50.  The present usage for the entire City is 300,000 gallons per day, average.

The water supply is obtained from two wells which were constructed in 1963-65 with a capacity of 700,000 gallons per day.  The water storage facility has two tanks, one an elevated tank storing 50,000 gallons and a stand pipe tank storing 200,000 gallons.

The water treatment facility was also constructed in 1963.  The system has a capacity of 500,000 gallons per day.

The City of White Hall has a contract with Waste Management to handle garbage pickup.  Garbage is picked up on Tuesdays and Fridays for residents.  Large items will be picked up by making arrangements with Waste Management.  Fees are approximately $8 per month..

  • Ed May, Co-Chairman
  • David Beck, Co-Chairman
  • Burnell Summerford
  • Loy Aikman
  • Robert Crawford
  • Gus Funderburg
  • John Pitts
  • James Sandstrum
  • Jerry Weilacher

animal control

Phone:  870-247-2399.  Hours 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.  For after hour emergencies, contact the White Hall Police Department at 247-1414.

The City of White Hall has an ordinance setting certain requirements for the keeping of animals within the city limits.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to allow a dog owned by it to run at large or to keep or harbor a dog/cat three months of age or older, within the corporate limits of the City of White Hall, that does not bear a tag certifying that said dog/cat has been vaccinated for rabies within the year next proceeding. Every dog/cat covered by this Ordinance, must have and wear a collar of such type that the vaccination tag may be firmly attached to said collar. Such tag, when issued shall at all times be securely attached to the dog's/cat's collar or harness, and failure to keep such tag on the dog's/cat's collar or harness, shall be unlawful

Nuisance animals running loose in White Hall are subject to being picked up by Animal Control.

Any animal picked up will be boarded at the animal control facilities. A veterinarian, Dr. Michael Jones, provides medical care for animals at the facilities.

Fines, boarding fees and possible medical fees must be paid at City Hall before the animal can be retrieved.

revenue office

The Revenue Office is located at White Hall Plaza.  Phone (870)247-5565

Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

Services include:

  • Issue or renewal of driver's licenses, commercial driver's licenses and vehicle, boat and trailer license tags.
  • Purchasers of new vehicles can pay sales tax and effect transfer of vehicles.
  • Deed stamps required for the transfer of real property may also be purchased at the branch office.
  • The Revenue Office can also issue state identification cards. (The cards are similar to driver's licenses. The are issued to people who need identification but who do not drive.)

library

The White Hall Library is located at 300 Anderson Avenue and is a branch of the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library System.

Phone (870)247-5064

Hours:

September - May

Monday - Thursday -- 9 am - 6 pm
Friday -- 9 am - 4 pm Friday -- 9 am - 4 pm
Saturday -- 9 am - 1 pm Saturday -- 9 am - 1 pm

June - August

Monday - Thursday -- 9 am - 6 pm
Friday -- 9 am - 4 pm Friday -- 9 am - 4 pm
Saturday -- 9 am - 1 pm Saturday -- 9 am - 1 pm
Closed Every Sunday

The Library's card catalog computer system offers instant access to the Library System's 125,000 holdings. You can access the card catalog online at http://pbjc-lib.state.ar.us. There are  computers for word processing, and a CD-ROM computer providing a vast collection of reference information. A typewriter, fax machine and a copy machine are also available.

The Library has a meeting room available for library card holders. Reservations are needed, and can be used during hours the library is not open (not available on Sunday). A $15 deposit is required for the key.

A story time is offered on Tuesdays at 9:15 am for day cares and 10:15am for the public.  Children may also call Leo Lion for a story day or night. (Leo Lion spelled out on the phone is 536-5466).

 

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