Smackover, Arkansas

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Smackover is a small city in northern Union County, Arkansas. It covers about 4.35 square miles of mostly flat land along Smackover Creek, a tributary of the Ouachita River. The town has around 1,600 residents, with a 2020 population of 1,630 and a 2024 estimate of about 1,573. It lies in the Central Time Zone and uses ZIP code 71762 and area code 870.

Smackover’s name comes from French roots. Early settlers called the area Sumac Couvert, meaning “covered in sumac bushes,” which later became Smackover. The name also shows up as Bayou de Chemin Couvert on old maps. The town grew quickly after oil was found nearby in 1922, sparking a major oil boom in the 1920s. The Smackover Oil Field produced millions of barrels and drew workers from across the country. Smackover was incorporated in 1923. By the 1960s, oil production declined, changing the local economy.

The climate is humid subtropical, with hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. Public education is provided by the Smackover School District. The town’s sports teams are called the Battlin’ Buckaroos.

A standout local attraction is the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, which highlights Smackover’s oil history with exhibits and an Oil Field Park. Smackover also hosts the annual Oil Town Festival in June, celebrating its oil heritage.