Where the heck is Cotton Plant, Anyway?
First Courthouse to be erected in Woodruff County
Woodruff County Courthouse -Cotton Plant-Historical Marker -Side one Reads- At this location in August 1902 , the Woodruff County Courthouse in Cotton Plant was completed. Built by C.W. Clark and designed by noted Arkansas architect Charles L. Thompson, the courthouse was erected to serve the southern district of the county. A second courthouse of similar appearance, also designed by Thompson, was finished in December 1902 in the county seat of Augusta. The Cotton Plant Courthouse was a Stately two story, red brick structure with a clock tower constructed in the Romanesques style. Please visit the City of Cotton Plant to read side two.
Rosetta Tharpe, born Rosetta Nubin, March 20, 1915 in Cotton Plant, Arkansas. She was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and recording artist .She began performing at age four. It is believed that her father Willis Atkins, could sing as well.
A pioneer of twentieth-century music, Sister Tharpe attained great popularity in the 1930s and 1940s with her gospel recordings that were a unique mixture of spiritual lyrics and rhythmic/early rock accompaniment. She became gospel music’s first crossover artist and its first great recording star, referred to later as “the original soul sister”. She was an early influence on figures such as Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. Biographer Gayle Wald, told a documentary film crew “When you see Elvis Presley singing songs early in his career, I think you should imagine, he is channeling Rosetta Tharpe”.
First Women to be elected as a Democrat to Congress
Pearl Peden Oldfield was born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, on December 2, 1876, and received her education in public schools there and at Arkansas College in Batesville, Arkansas. She was married to William A. Oldfield, a ten-term congressional representative, who died while in office on November 19, 1928. Since her husband had won reelection before his death, Pearl Oldfield was elected as a Democrat to the 70th and 71st Congresses on January 9, 1929, to fill the vacancy. She was sworn in on January 11, 1929.
First Black Mayor-AR
Emmitt J. Conley (1922–2001) was the first African American mayor in Arkansas in 1970, serving as mayor of Cotton Plant and later becoming the first president of the Arkansas Black Mayors Association that he helped to form in 1972.
Emmitt Jerome Conley was born on June 16, 1922, in Richland Township, Monroe County, Arkansas, to William Robert Conley and Estella Ewing born on June 16, 1922, in Richland Township, Monroe County—just outside of Cotton Plant—to William R. Conley and Estella Ewing Conley, Mr. Emmitt Conley grew up with a heart for service and a passion for uplifting his community. He later married Teola Scott, and together they built a loving family with six children.
A proud U.S. Navy veteran, he served his country honorably during World War II. After his military service, he continued his education and became a graduate of Arkansas Baptist College. n 1974, he became a founding member of the National Conference of Black Mayors, further expanding his commitment to empowering Black leadership nationwide
First Brick and Mortar
Established in 2014 as a 501(c)3 non profit organization. . The Cotton Plant Historical Museum was the First Brick and Mortar Museum in woodruff County. Most of the County’s History was recorded by the Woodruff County Historical Society, Rivers and Roads and The Remembrance by The Depot Museums Director at that time Bill Sayger. The Cotton Plant Historical Museum Temporarily Closed during the pandemic.
First Licensed Medical Marijuana Growing Faciltiy
The first licensed medical marijuana cultivation facility in Arkansas is BOLD Team, located at 895 Industrial Park Rd in Cotton Plant, and it began operations in 2018 as the state’s first legal cannabis grower under the administration of City Mayor Willard C. Ryland.
First Woman Mayor for The City of Cotton Plant, AR
Clara Harston is a respected community leader and dedicated public servant. A trailblazer in local government. Clara made history as the first woman to serve as Mayor of the City of Cotton Plant for eight years demonstrating perseverance, commitment, and a deep devotion to the community she calls home.
Throughout her years in public service, Clara remained committed to representing the people of Cotton Plant through both its successes and its challenges. She was recognized by the Black Mayors Association For Black History Month in 2025 and Grand Marshall for the City of Cotton Plant in 2016. Her historic election opened a new chapter in the city’s history and demonstrated to future generations—particularly young women—that leadership and public service have no gender boundaries.
After eight years of service as Mayor, Clara has chosen to retire from elected office leaving behind a legacy that will forever be recorded in Cotton Plant’s history. Her story is one of service, perseverance, leadership, and history—a legacy that will remain part of Cotton Plant for generations to come.