Montgomery County

Montgomery County, formed on December 9, 1842, was named for Gen. Richard Montgomery, a hero of the American Revolution. The county was once the hunting grounds of the Caddo Indians. The county seat is Mount Ida. Landscape of the county is long, narrow ridges of folded rock, large fertile valleys, and mountains (Ouachita) covered with oak and pine timber. Montgomery County's natural resources and its rugged beauty are its livelihood. Sixty-three percent of the county is national forest land with the federal government being a stable employer. Cattle, swine and poultry production, along with mining and tourism makes up the economy. The Ouachita Mountain range of Arkansas is one of only three known areas in the world to have enough high quality quartz crystal to warrant mining. Each year Montgomery County has an annual Quartz Crystal Festival and Crystal Dig. Lake Ouachita, Arkansas' largest, is popular because of clear water, fishing and many other water sports. As of the 2000 census, Montgomery County had a population of 9,245 residents.