Welcome to Avoca, Arkansas, P.O. Box 160 72711
Our History:
A picture of activity comes to mind as the history of Avoca unfolds. In this bustling 1800's settlement the
busy stagecoach brought the mail, travelers and commodities to the post office and Mr. Peel's store that
was nestled down in the valley, known to us today as Brightwater. This stagecoach route became "Old Wire Road".
During 1880 and 1881 the Frisco Railroad was making its way through the land and Avoca was promised a station
if the town would relocate to the top of the hill. In 1881 Mr. Peel moved his store and post office about a
mile and a half away to where Avoca sits today, and so our Town was founded. Story has it that Mr. Peel's wife
was responsible for giving Avoca its name and it is also believed Avoca is an Indian name meaning "the gathering Place".
If true, then the name is as fitting today as it was then. The move, and the railroad, must have agreed with Avoca
because by 1920 Avoca was a booming town serving the area as a busy freight and passenger train stop. Avoca served her
community well with stock yards, fruit elevators and canneries, a candy store, boarding house, and grocery store, and
doctor and telephone offices. In 1934 highway 62 was built west of the tracks, and with the depression era setting in,
businesses began leaving, but Avoca endured. Now sometimes referred to as the "gateway to North Beaver Lake" with several
back road accesses to the Lake. Avoca was incorporated in 1966 thus preserving the country lifestyle. The
hometown atmosphere continues to attract families and businesses. Avoca is rich with history and community service,
participating significantly in the growth of Benton County.
Environmental Profile:
Population: 423 (Probably Understated 2000 Census, new number coming in 2010)
January Average Temperature: High:47/Low:25
July Average Temperature: High:90/Low:67
Precipitation (rain): 44.6 inches annually
Snowfall: 6"-12" annually
Elevation: 1296
Education/Schools
Rogers School District
Northwest Arkansas Community College (Bentonville)
University of Arkansas (Fayetteville)
Civic Groups
Extension Homemakers Club
Neighborhood Watch
Masonic Lodge
Avoca Rotary Club
Avoca Area Volunteer Fire Department
Churches
First Christian Church - Avoca
First Baptist Church - Avoca
Kingdome Hall - Avoca
Government
Town: Phone#'s e-mail address's
Mayor: Tommy O'Dell 479-631-6721 Two-Dell@sbcglobal.net
Rec./Treasurer: Diane Bowen 479-636-6001 dibo54@sbcglobal.net
Aldermen:
Position #1 Kathy Hansen 479-636-6223 klhansen@sbcglobal.net
Position #2 Dennis Pinkley dcpink1@hotmail.com
Position #3 Kathleen Shields 479-631-7325 shields3@sbcglobal.net
Position #4 Darlene Gregory 479-621-0331 darlene.gregory@sbcglobal.net
Position #5 Herb Hawkins 479-636-7851 herbhawkins@hawkinsworld.com
Town Phone/Fax / email 479-621-5921 dibo54@sbcglobal.net
County:
Judge - Dave Bisbee 479-271-1000
Sheriff - Keith Ferguson 479-271-1008
Regular council meetings are held at Town Hall the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
222 N. Old Wire Road.
NEW Civic guide 2009/2010 coming soon.
The following listed dates indicate election days for which the town hall will be used as a balloting location.
2009/2010 election events to be announced (Coming Soon).
Running for Avoca Town Offices (Info, Deadlines & Applications 2010)
Posting of Most Commonly Referenced Town Ordinances:
Ordinances/Regulations For the Town of Avoca (Full Posting of Town Ordinances Coming Soon)
Avoca Zoning Ordinance No. 76, Effective 2/2007
Avoca "Unsightly" Ordinance No. 80 (Replaces No. 54) Effective 9/9/2008
Zoning Map (New map with latest amendments to be published Aug. 2009)
Monthly Meeting Minutes & Treasury Reports (Click on Link)
Jan.2009, Feb., March, April, May (No June)(+Specials), July, Aug., Sept.& Oct. 2009 - Approved 2009 Monthly Minutes
Jan.2009, Feb., March, April, May, June, July, Aug., Sept.& Oct. 2009 - Approved 2009 Monthly Treasury Reports (Disbursements)
No meeting in June, therefore, no approved notes for May until July meeting.
Upcoming Calendar of Events & Announcements
Town's Next BiAnnual Clean Up (Each Spring and Fall) - Next one Saturday
Oct. 24, 2009 8:00am to 11:30am across from Town Hall (Dumpsters Available)
This year will feature a "clean up participation raffle" of $50.00. To win you must
participate and be present for the drawing at 11:00am at City Hall. Come and join in on the pride
of cleaning up our Town! Successfully completed and will resume again in April of 2010. Thanks to all that
participated.
Avoca Volunteer Fire Dept. & Town of Avoca Community annual picnic & Barbecue, Saturday, (Click for Pictures)
June 14, 2008. Town Park/Pavilion with awarding of "Apple Shed Award".
(2008 Completed - 2009 year's Picnic completed Saturday June 20, 2009) This is another highly attended
traditional fund raiser event. Hamburgers & Hotdogs prepared by the Avoca Volunteer Fire Dept. Live music,
raffles, silent auction, and fun for all! The Avoca Volunteer Fire Dept. was announced and awarded the "Apple Shed
Award" for 2009. Looking forward to next year.
Avoca Volunteer Fire Dept. - Annual meeting/ice cream social
Scheduled - May 1, 2009. (Completed with the next social not scheduled)
Avoca Farmers Bazaar (2nd YR begins & runs each Saturday starting April, 2009 (Click on link for
details) Runs through Crafts Fair - Oct. 3rd, 2009. Meeting of Vendors Thursday March 19, 2009 @ 7:00pm.
Avoca Farmers Bazaar Application (Click on link for copy of application)
Avoca Christmas Parade - Sat. Dec. 12, 2009: See Rona Smith for details. New Heritage HS Band
marched and performed in 2008 and scheduled again in 2009. This is developing into a spectacular, annual
traditional event. Last year included live nativity scene, caroling singers, live music, float contest, refreshments,
and a large festive crowd.
Veteran's Memorial - Traveling "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" (Pictures) - Coming Sept. 18, 2009 (Sept. 18-21)
Itinerary, schedule and more information to be posted real soon before the event. This is a very big
event for the town of Avoca and will include large crowds of "Ghost Riders" and many patriotic events!
Annual Rabies Clinic - New Hope Animal Hospital, Saturday, Mar 28, 2009, 12:30-2:30PM (Completed)
Pictures from Past Events - Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser and Butterfield Stage Coach Days
Interesting Business, State, County, Government or Orginization Links From Avoca, Arkansas Area
www.avocaarkansas.info Town of Avoca, AR official web site
www.myregionalchamber.com/ NWA and SWM Regional Chamber of Commerce official site
http://arstar.com/ Department of Motor Vehicle - License Renewal's Etc.
www.co.benton.ar.us/ Benton County's Official Web Site
http://www.rogersarkansas.com/ City of Rogers, AR official web site
http://www.rogerslowell.com/ Rogers /Lowell area Chamber of Commerce web site
www.spatubsonline.com Whirlpool Jetted Bathtubs sold online Based on Hwy 62 in Avoca
www.whirlpoolcleaners.com Cleaners for Jetted Bathtubs sold online and retail @ Hwy 62 in Avoca
www.livingwithcleanair.com Indoor Air Purification Systems sold online and retail @ Hwy 62 in Avoca
www.hawkinsworld.com Corporate web site of Hawkins Petroleum Consulting & Investments, Inc.
2008 Licensed Avoca Businesses/Links (Once you have a business license contact Diane Bowen
or Herb Hawkins for a free posting of your website - included in the price of your license fee)!
Websites for businesses in Avoca - 2008/2009
