History of Searcy, Arkansas
Searcy (local pronunciation: SUR see) is the largest city and county seat{{GR|6}} of White County, Arkansas|White County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 20,663.{{cite web | year = June 21 2006 | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2005-04-05.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Arkansas | format = Comma-separated values|CSV | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | accessmonthday = November 16 | accessyear = 2006}} It is the principal city of the Searcy, Arkansas|AR Micropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of White County. Like Searcy County, Arkansas|Searcy County, the city takes its name from Richard Searcy, a judge for the Superior Court of the Arkansas Territory.
The city is the home of Harding University, a private college affiliated with the Church of Christ and the state's largest private university. Harding College (as it was originally denominated) moved to Searcy from Morrilton, Arkansas in the mid 1930s, and it occupied the campus of the former Galloway Women's College. Regional ice cream producer and distributor Yarnell Ice Cream Co. is also headquartered in the city's downtown area. Mike Beebe, Arkansas' current governor, has also lived and worked in Searcy several years, both in private law practice and representing the area in the Arkansas General Assembly. His wife, Ginger, is a native of Searcy.
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