John A Cooper Sr. started Cherokee Village in 1954. His vision was a planned community composed of residents from all age and income levels, living in a scenic setting where they could come for vacations and later retire for permanent living.

This community was to have the conveniences of the city, but with an abundance of hills, woods, fresh water, and natural wildlife. Cherokee Village became a model for all other vacation retirement areas in the nation, and was one of the first of its kind in the entire world.

Located near the junction of the South Fork and Spring Rivers in both Sharp and Fulton Counties, Cherokee Village is now a 13,190 acre incorporated city with 350 miles of paved roads and a resident population of about 4,700.

An article in the Villager Journal reports that Ozarka College, located in Ash Flat, a ten minute drive from Cherokee Village, has been ranked 11th in the nation among the fastest growing two-year colleges. This is based on a 123 percent increase in growth for five years. Ozarka has been ranked in the top 20 "most wired" colleges for its use of technology, according to Yahoo! Internet Magazine.

 The Villager also reports a true story about John Cooper, founder of Cherokee Village. This took place during the 30th anniversary celebration of the founding of Cherokee Village, in 1985.

Mr. Cooper took the guest speaker aside to offer a tip: "You could go places, but you're going to have to cut your hair and get your wife to take your last name."

The special guest, the "Boy Governor" of Arkansas did cut his hair as he developed a national profile, and less than eight years later he became the leader of the free world. Another eight years after that his wife was elected to the U.S. Senate from the state of New York, not as Hillary Rodham, but as Hillary Clinton!

The Arkansas Gazette in 1981 listed John Cooper as one of the most powerful men in the state, with "vast political and financial influence." The Gazette said: "John Cooper, more than any other person, has altered the character of Arkansas" - in large part due to the large number of people his planned community, Cherokee Village, brought to the state.

Cherokee Village Features

America's first planned vacation retirement community.

Mild year 'round four season climate - a natural for outdoor enthusiasts: average winter temperature 51 - summer 80 - occasional dusting of snow, usually melts during the day.

Seven beautiful lakes from 19 acres to 264 acres, all of them private to property owners and their guests - you're going to love it here! 

Two championship eighteen-hole golf courses with no tee times - rated among the finest in Arkansas.

Two pro shops - open for your use.

Six refreshing swimming pools.

Two marinas to meet all your boating needs.

Two lighted tennis courts for that late night date or duel.

Two recreation centers for owner's and guests only, complete with miniature golf, shuffleboard, whirlpools, meeting rooms, exercise equipment, playgrounds, more...

Five parks, cooking stations, pavilion.

Jet-capable airport and facilities.

Medical and Dental Clinics.

Two prompt award winning paramedic ambulance services.

Four professional full-time fire stations.

Fast-response city police - one of the lowest crime rates in the nation.

Nearby shopping centers: post office, newspaper, restaurants, private clubs, bank, service station, beauty shop, flower shop, travel agency, grocery store, city hall, vacation rentals, more... (Wal-Mart Supercenter and more in nearby Ash Flat.)

Fifteen or more churches, three schools.

About ninety-four clubs and organizations, just about anything you're into: ballroom dancing, singles, boy scouts, camera, chorus, gardeners, Lions, Kiwanis, Knights, Pilots for Christ, bowling, euchre, bridge, golf, lifeline, masonic, recovery, ladies, tennis, swim, vets, sportsmen, AARP, much more...

Private campground on the river with rv hookups, vacation rentals, luxury time-share condos, for owner's overflow guests and vacationers.

Hiking and cycling, nature trails and scenic vistas, flower gardens, picnicking, horseback riding, swimming, water skiing, boating, canoeing...

FISHING  it's an angler's paradise if you're into world class fightin' walleye and rainbow trout, crappie, bream, bass, and catfish among others.

Four and a half miles of cool spring-fed South Fork River - fed via Spring River, by Mammoth Spring, the world's 10th largest natural spring.

Neaby: HUNTING: wild turkey, 'coons, squirrels, rabbits, and whitetail deer in season - there's even a 13,000 acre State Game Preserve for wildlife observation, and for bow and rifle hunters in season.

Nearby: Old Hardy Town - step back in time, quaint, unique, historic, enjoyable, filled with antiques, old cars, gift nooks, busy artisans and craftsmen, friendly folks. (Don't miss the Ozark dulcimer shop - ask for a demo.) The entire downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Numerous crystal clear springs with sparkling water and fresh air to die for throughout this whole part of The Natural State.

Some of the lowest taxes you'll ever see anywhere! When it comes to taxes, Arkansas ranks lowest of 48 states!

The street names in Cherokee Village are Native American. Here is a history of the Arkansas Cherokee - and Links to Native American Genealogy 

Flower - Apple Blossom (1901); Tree - Southern Pine (1939); Bird - Mockingbird (1929); Mammal - White Tailed Deer (1993); Fish - Largemouth Bass (1993); Vegetable/Fruit - South Arkansas Vine Ripen Pink Tomato (1987); Gem - Diamond (1967); Mineral - Quartz Crystal (1967); Rock - Bauxite (1967); Song - "Arkansas" (1963); Instrument - Fiddle (1967); Insect - Honeybee (1973); Beverage - Milk (1985); State Anthem - Regnat Populus [People Rule] (1987).

There are twenty-five (25) stars forming a diamond (signifying Arkansas as the only state to have a diamond mine). The 25 stars denotes Arkansas as the 25th state. The three (blue) stars under the word "Arkansas" denotes the three nations which once owned her: France, Spain and the US. The single (blue) star above the second "A" in "Arkansas" signifies Arkansas being part of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.