Greene County is a county located in the northeast section of the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 42,090. The county seat is Paragould, which sits atop Crowley’s Ridge.

The Paragould Statistical Area includes all of Greene County. The Paragould Statistical Area is also part of the larger Jonesboro–Paragould Combined Statistical Area.

Benjamin Crowley

The first settler to the area was Benjamin Crowley (1758-1842) of Kentucky who arrived in 1821 and established a home about 12 miles west of Paragould.

Greene County was formed on November 5, 1833 out of portions of Lawrence County and contained portions of present Clay and Craighead counties. The county was named after Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene. The original county seat was in Benjamin Crowley’s home.

Nathanael Greene

By 1836, when Arkansas became a state, the county seat was located at a settlement called “Paris” (not to be confused with present-day Paris, Arkansas).

In 1848 a national highway was put through and the county seat was moved to the community of Gainesville, Arkansas which had a reputation as a relatively lawless town. The county seat remained there until 1883 when it was moved to the new town of Paragould. The residents of Gainesville opposed the move and it is reported that shots were fired and tempers were high. A new courthouse was built in 1888 and the building still survives in downtown Paragould.

Greene County Genealogical & Historical Society is a non-profit organization, operated entirely by volunteers who are dedicated to the preservation, publication and education of Greene County Arkansas Historical and familial information.  Our only support is derived from membership fees and the sale of books and documents we publish.  You are encouraged to join our society, or to make a tax deductible donation. Any support you may offer is greatly appreciated.