Our History

The town of Gravett was established in 1893 by Ellis Tillman Gravett, who began his career in Nebo (Old Town Park) just down the hill. E.T. Gravett, a native of Kentucky, owned a mercantile and a whiskey distillery in the small community of Nebo, until he purchased eighty-acres on top of the hill and platted the town of Gravett. He was successful in convincing the Kansas City Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad to continue on from Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, through this newly established town. The first train ran through Gravett in January 1894, which caused the town to grow in population and industry. In 1898 The Arkansas & Oklahoma Railroad was established in Gravett, which ran from Rogers, Arkansas and reached Grove, Oklahoma which was Indian territory., by the year 1900. This railway was vital in shipping the apples and produce grown from local farmers and ran until the year 1940. Gravett's early years were rich in agriculture and industry, boasting a flour mill, a canning factory, a vinegar plant, a broom factory, four hotels, a livery, a newspaper, and a train depot. Gravett was incorporated on January 4th, 1899, and on February 8th, 1900, an 'e' was added to the spelling of the town's name, hence the spelling Gravette. 

In the late 1930's, the Gravette Shelling, Co, Inc. was established, and for nearly sixty years Gravette was home to the largest black walnut shelling facility in the world. Through the years, Gravette has been the location of a pharmaceutical company, clothing factory, packaging industries, and home to Shepherd's Chapel Broadcast Facility. 

A few of Gravette's residents have been: the famous WW1 Warbird Ace, Captain Field E. Kindley, Western Movie Star Slim Andrews, Major League Baseball Player Gene Stephens, Arkansas Senator Kim Hendren, and Country Western Star Jeff Carson. 

Main Street Gravette in 1896- Pictured is A.C. Veach and Carrie Wagner standing in front of the newspaper office. The McAllister Hotel is next door.

Visit the Gravette Museum to discover more of the town’s rich history.