Elkins

The town of Elkins was established when the Fayetteville & Little Rock Railway, better known as the St. Paul Branch, was routed west of the White River rather than through Maguiretown on the east side of the river. A post office named Hood was first established in 1885 and four years later the name changed to Elkins. A Boone’s Grove post office also existed in the area from 1857 to 1868.

The 1892-93 Polk Business Directory still lists Hood rather than Elkins. In 1892, Hood had two general stores, a grocer, wagonmaker and physician. In 1900, Elkins had a hotel, four general stores, a cooper, blacksmith, physician and a carpenter. B.F. Williams was physician in both cases. Population was listed as 50 in both cases.

Bibliography:

Washington County Postoffices and Postmasters 1829-1976, by Deane Carter, published 1976 by Washington Co Historical Society.
“R.L. Polk’s Arkansas Gazetteer and Business Directory 1892-1893: Washington County Towns,” Flashback, Fall 2007.
“A Business Directory of 1900,” Flashback, February 1952.