Bald Knob is on the Southern edge of the Ozarks in White County, the name Bald Knob comes from the rock outcropping that is almost an acre in size. The Native Americans used this rock as a camp during their hunting trips in the White River valley, it is theorized that Hernando De Soto documented it while exploring the Mississippi River Valley in 1541.
Bald Knob has played a very important role in Arkansas history, it is a natural landmark and played an important role in Arkansas economic development. Starting out as a camping ground for Native Americans traveling through the White River Valley and transforming into a quarrying hub during the railroad boom of the late 19th century. Bald Knob has been connected to the state's growth and progress. The massive rock formation the city was named after became an important source of ballast for key railroad projects like the construction of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and Jay Gould's Bald Knob Memphis Railroad. The city built a diverse workforce, with immigrants mostly from Ireland, contributing to the town's cultural make up. Bald Knob also earned recognition for being "The Strawberry Center of the World" due to its climate and soil, which is ideal for strawberry production.…show more content… Bald Knob has many diverse industries and businesses such as manufacturing, agriculture, and thriving outdoor recreation. The town continues the cultivation of crops like rice and soybeans and has a steady agricultural output. Bald Knob has gained a reputation as a destination for visitors and with the help of unique restaurants, boutiques, festivals and recreational activities it attracts tourists and generates revenue. The city hosts HomeFest where they have strawberry eating contests, auctions, a parade and live
