This partial list of city nicknames in Arkansas compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that the state's cities are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity.Muench, David "Wisconsin Community Slogans: Their Use and Local Impacts" , December 1993, accessed April 10, 2007. Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" are also believed to have economic value. Their economic value is difficult to measure, but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.Alfredo Andia, Branding the Generic City , MU.DOT magazine, September 10, 2007
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency. Alma – Spinach Capital of the WorldClaims to Fame - Agriculture, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Berryville – Turkey CapitalClaims to Fame - Birds , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Brinkley – Home of the Ivory-billed WoodpeckerThe Ghost Bird, National Geographic, December 2006, "The billboards are still up along Interstate 40, inviting drivers to stop at Brinkley, the Home of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker." Conway – The City of Colleges (The University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College, and Central Baptist College)Official Site of the City of Conway, Arkansas, accessed April 1, 2007. Dumas – Home of the Ding Dong DaddyDumas (Desha County), Encyclopedia of Arkansas. The nickname originated with the popular song "I'm a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas." El Dorado Arkansas' Original BoomtownKenneth Bridges, El Dorado (Union County), The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture Queen City of South Arkansas Emerson – The Biggest Little Town in Arkansas Eureka Springs - Little Switzerland of the Ozarks Fayetteville Hog CountryFYV vs. FAY, Fayetteville Free Weekly (blog based in Fayetteville, Arkansas), September 6, 2007 Track Capital of the World Green Forest – Tomato Capital Hope – Watermelon Capital of the World Hot Springs – Spa CityHot Springs, Arkansas, accessed April 11, 2007. "You'll find the perfect combination of relaxing activities and kick-out-all-the-stops attractions in the Spa City." Jasper – Elk Capital of ArkansasClaims to Fame - Animals , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Jonesboro The City of ChurchesJonesboro, accessed April 8, 2007. The Crepe Myrtle City Little Rock The City of RosesLittle Rock City Beautiful Scrapbooks , accessed April 11, 2007. "The City Beautiful Commission came up with the idea of an official rose, in keeping with Little Rock's traditional nickname, "City of Roses." The Joe T. Robinson rose was chosen." River CityA Brief History of Little Rock, accessed April 11, 2007. "Today, in downtown Little Rock, the old and new mix well together. Stately antebellum structures and ornate Victorian buildings neighbor gleaming new glass-facade skyscrapers stretching up into the river city's skyline with scenic, natural surroundings providing the backdrop." Lowell – A Town with a Past, A City with a FutureThe City of Lowell, Arkansas , accessed April 11, 2007. Motto is on upper right of page. Malvern – Brick Capital of the WorldClaims to Fame - Products , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Mount Ida – Quartz Crystal Capital of the WorldClaims to Fame - Rocks , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Mountain View – Folk Music Capital of the WorldOzark Folk Center, accessed April 11, 2007. "Visit downtown Mountain View, Arkansas, the 'Folk Music Capital of the World.'"Claims to Fame - Arts , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Nashville – Peach Capital North Little Rock – Dogtown Stuttgart – Rice and Duck Capital of the WorldOut There: The world's duck-hunting capital - Stuttgart, Ark., lies at the heart of the greatest mallard-hunting area, ESPN, accessed April 11, 2007. "The rice fields encroach to the very edge of the city, and erected at the side of one is a small wooden sign that says you've reached the city limits. This is it: Stuttgart — The Rice and Duck Capital of the World." Texarkana – Twice as NiceTagline Guru City Branding Survey, Tagline Guru website, accessed August 18, 2009 See also List of city nicknames in the United States
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