BACKGROUND
(The Early Years)
El Paso is a small community located on the southern slope of Cadron Ridge in the southwestern corner of White County near the intersection of U.S. Highway 64 and State Highway 5. It is one of the county’s early settlements and entertained hopes of being chosen as the county seat in 1835.
At the time of its settlement, the area was a part of Pulaski County. With speculation of the creation of a new county, many area citizens hoped that their community would be selected as the seat of government for any such county. The Southwest Trail, the first major pathway for Arkansas settlements, passed near the community, adding to its likely selection. A town was planned with construction of a potential courthouse positioned at its center. However, with the creation of White County on October 23, 1835, present-day Searcy, located near the center of the new county, was designated the seat of government.
A slow growth began. In 1848, five members established a Baptist church. Before constructing a church building in 1867, the congregation met in member homes and brush arbors. The two-story church was constructed south of the town square. By 1880, the church had more than 200 members, making it the largest in the county. A Methodist congregation was founded by 1873. Neither congregation could financially support a preacher every Sunday, so they combined for sermons. The local Masonic lodge met on the second floor of the Baptist church, as did chapters of the Woodmen of the World, Knights of the Maccabees, and the Grange.
Source: Mike Polston
CALS Encyclopedia of Arkansas
