LITTLE ROCK — Morrilton Mayor Bobby Kirby said Morrilton, population 6,500, is on the move.
"We're so proud of our unity and pride working together. It really reflects the essence of our motto, Morrilton: Small town, no limits," Kirby said.
The motto is part of the city's logo, which features the yellow sun rising over a green hilltop. The logo is on banners that hang on the lamp posts in downtown Morrilton.
Downtown Morrilton is undergoing a renaissance. Along Moose Street, most of the buildings date to the 1930s, such as the Coca-Cola plant at 210 N. Moose St., which now serves as Morrilton City Hall.
Silent storefronts are filling up with businesses because there is ample parking, the sidewalks are in good shape and have wheelchair ramps at the corners, Kirby said. Stone flower containers, cheery streetlights and scattered benches make for a picturesque downtown neighborhood, not just a shopping destination.
"Our downtown is getting revitalized, and we have three older buildings being remodeled into loft apartments. We have the Rialto Community Arts Center, and the art gallery next door and a free museum inside the Union Pacific Train Depot," Kirby said.
Downtown is also home to special events. Musicians are often performing at the Rialto. A few weeks ago M.L. Tester's band Classic Country Connection opened for Bob Wills' Texas Playboys.
On Saturdays in the summer, the farmers market sets up beside the Train Depot so residents who don't have gardens or just like fresh vegetables can pick up some farm fresh produce.
There are plenty of places to play in Morrilton.
The Morrilton Youth Association is putting in new bleachers so fans can cheer on their hometown softball and baseball teams at the City Park ball field. Residents can make a splash this summer in the city's like new pool. Kirby said the city spent about $85,000 to install a new pool liner, new diving board and renovate the pool house.
This year there is a big change to the city's favorite festival, the Great Arkansas Pig Out. It's changing months from sweltering August to the more mild Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28.
Like the name says, food is the cornerstone of Pig Out, with grilling, roasted corn, onion blossoms, crawfish, alligator, chicken on a stick and everything barbecue-related. Besides the food, there are arts and craft vendors, tennis, softball and volleyball tournament along with live entertainment and the children's greased-pig chasing contest. Other contests that always draw a crowd are the hot dogeating contest sponsored by Petit Jean Meats and the National Hog Calling contest. Kirby said the two-day festival usually draws about 20,000 people.
Green Bay Packaging remains the largest employer in Morrilton but more businesses are eyeing the community, he said.
TXD Services, a natural-gasdrilling and supply operation, is one of the newest businesses to establish a presence in town with its 30 acres in the Morrilton Industrial Park. In anticipation of more businesses moving to town, the runway at the municipal airport is being widened so industries with corporate jets can land.
On thing that makes Morrilton attractive for employers is what it offers - a small town for employees to call home.
Morrilton has its public schools, which are part of the South Conway County School District, as well as Sacred Heart Catholic School and the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. The city isabout 22 miles west of Conway, which is home to three institutions of higher education: University of Central Arkansas, Central Baptist College and Hendrix College. Morrilton is about 27 miles east of Russellville, which is the home of Arkansas Tech University.
Kirby said part of the city's appeal is its size and geography.
"We're a small town near the freeway, so you can get to the Little Rock Airport within a hour," Kirby said.
Residents who want to get away from it all without getting too far away can visit Petit Jean State Park, Morrilton's neighbor up on the mountain. Petit Jean is Arkansas' first state park, built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The cornerstone of the park is Mather Lodge, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, a rustic stone and wood building perched on a bluff overlooking Cedar Creek Valley.
Also on Petit Jean Mountain is Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, which is part of the University of Arkansas System.
For people who have wished for newer homes in Morrilton, the wait is almost over.
The city has approved construction in two subdivisions - Legacy Place and Taylor Creek Estates. The city has an all-volunteer fire department and has a Class 4 Insurance Services Office rating. ISO ratings are from Class 10, which means no fire protection, to Class 1 fire protection, which is considered the best. These ratings affect the price of homeowners' insurance. The ratings are based on the resources of local fire departments, such as the number of fire fighters, average response time, age of equipment and location of fire stations.
Freight trains rumble through town daily, reminding residents of the town's history as a stop on the Union Pacific railroad. Although passenger trains don't stop there anymore, Morrilton is still a destination for those looking for a small town with no limits.
River Valley Ozark, Pages 146 on 04/20/2008