Paragould started when two new railroads were built in Arkansas back in 1882. It was the St. Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad, later known as the Missouri Pacific and the Texas and St. Louis later renamed the Cotton belt. Paragould was founded where the two railroads crossed and the town was incorporated on March 3rd, 1883. Paragould has several old houses, among others, a courthouse from 1888.
The name Paragould comes from combining the names of Jay Gould and J.W. Paramore, two railroad presidents at the time.
Paragould today has a population of 22,500 and is a manufacturing center pf the north east.

City Officials

Position	Name
Mayor	Josh Agee
City Clerk	Andrea Williams
District Judge	Dan Stidham
City Attorney	Robert Thompson
Police Chief	Todd Stovall
Fire Chief	Kyle Jackson
Director Of Public Works	Adam Followell
Code Enforcement Officer	J.D. Stephenson
Information Technology Director	Shane Stovall
Planning Director	Kevin Lang
Parks, Recreation Director	James Kashak
City Treasurer	Shelia Ragsdell
Communications Director	Michael McCammon
Council Member	Neal Adams
Council Member	Pat Austin
Council Member	Brad Baine
Council Member	Jeremy Biggs
Council Member	Jackie Branch
Council Member	Mark Rowland
Council Member	Susan Williams
Human Resources Director	Tisha Baldwin