Conway

Conway is the seat of Faulkner County, Arkansas.

Commerce and Industry

The downtown area of Conway is quaint and pleasant. Conway has at least two post offices. There is a wide variety of restaurants to choose from in Conway. There are of course, fast food places like Wendy's, Sonic, and McDonald's. There are also places like Chili's and Cracker Barrel. A favorite among some college students is Stoby's, located on Donaghey Avenue. Stoby's is known among some for their delicious cheese dip. There are two movie theaters in Conway. The Conway Commons offers excellent shopping. Stores such as TJ Max, Target, and Kohl's, provide a good shopping experience.

Education

Conway is known as the "City of Colleges." The city hosts three institutions of higher learning: Hendrix College (founded in 1890), Central Baptist College (1892), and the University of Central Arkansas (1907). The area is also served by the Conway Public School District, St. Joseph School, and Conway Christian School.

History

Conway's history dates to an 1871 decision to route the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad through Cadron Gap. The path through Cadron Gap and the Arkansas River to the west formed a natural choke point funneling traffic into the area from the north and west. The railroad's chief engineer Colonel A. P. Robinson received one square mile of land south of the gap, extending south roughly from what is today Prince Street to Dave Ward Drive. Robinson reserved the northeast corner of his property for the establishment of a town site, and the southern half as a private game reserve. He drove a stake in the ground at the place where Conway Station was to be constructed. A post office was built at Cadron Gap, but later transferred to Conway Station in 1872.

Conway was named and became the county seat of Faulkner County in 1873. The town was incorporated in 1875. Robinson personally pledged land for the courthouse square, and several local churches.