Counties

Cleveland County

Cleveland County, a county of rolling hills, was formed April 17, 1873. It originally was called Dorsey County, named for Stephen W. Dorsey, a U.S. senator from Arkansas, who later fell out of favor with Arkansans. Citizens petitioned for a change of name and, in 1885, it was renamed Cleveland County in honor of Grover Cleveland, who had just been elected president of the United States. The county seat is Rison. Timber is the leading industry in the county. The Saline River was used for shipping logs before the railroads came to the county in 1881. The county has extended its economic base to produce tomatoes, broiler chicks and cattle. Rison is at the center of an estimated 15-by-6 mile iron deposit containing as much as 42 percent magnetite. The Saline River, a scenic river, runs through the county and provides excellent fishing and floating. The courthouse represents an outstanding courthouse restoration and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On the courthouse lawn stands a memorial to veterans of the First and Second World Wars. The population of Cleveland County is 7,550 (2020 Census).

20 Magnolia St.
Rison 71665

(870) 325-6214

County Judge
Jimmy Cummings
Phone: (870) 325-6214
Fax: (870) 325-6366
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 348, Rison, 71665

County Clerk/Circuit Clerk
Brandy Herring
Phone: (870) 325-6521
Fax: (870) 325-6144
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 368, Rison, 71665

County Sheriff
Jack H. Rodgers, II
Phone: (870) 325-6222
Fax: (870) 325-7866
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 427, Rison, 71665

County Treasurer
Angie Kimsey-Sims
Phone: (870) 325-6681
Fax: (870) 325-6137
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 344, Rison, 71665

County Collector
Patti Wilson
Phone: (870) 325-7254
Fax: (870) 325-7876
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 408, Rison, 71665

County Assessor
Barbara Reaves
Phone: (870) 325-6695
Fax: (870) 325-6369
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 391, Rison, 71665

County Coroner
Chuck Valentine
Phone: (870) 370-4871
Fax: (870) 325-6366
Mailing Address: 8201 US Highway 63, Rison, AR 71665

Justices of the Peace
Ricky Neal, Melody Spears, Dwayne Ashcraft, Pat Keegan-Potter, Donnie Herring, Owen Rushing, Bruce T. Brown, Johnie Brewster, Charles Rodgers

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