Independence County

Independence County was created in October 1820 from part of Lawrence County. Its name comes from the Declaration of Independence. The landscape of the county is rolling hills, foothills of the Ozarks, except for river delta farmland in the southeast section. The county seat is Batesville. Agriculture is the economic base of the county, primarily is cattle and poultry production and processing. Some manufacturing is located near Batesville. The scenic White River coming into Batesville has the typical Ozark bends, riffles, shoals and pools surrounded by forest, rock, and hillsides. The river brought settlers to the county in the early 1800's. The Pioneer Cemetery is the oldest recognized and preserved cemetery in Arkansas. Batesville has one college, Lyon College, a private Christian college established in 1872. The college has an annual Ozark Scottish Festival & Highland Games each year. As of the 2000 census, Independence County had a population of 34,233 residents.