Kentucky Valley History Research Paper

A BRIEF HISTORY OF
ROMANCE, ARKANSAS

During the fall of 1850, a six-wagon, wagon train from Kentucky came upon a little valley with a good size creek. Their leader, Ben Pruitt, thought it looked like a good place to camp for the winter, and they did.

By the time spring arrived they had named their settlement Kentucky Valley and called the creek, Cliffy Creek because of the cliffs in the creek and along its sides. One of those cliffs creates a rather large waterfall just a few hundred yards from the downtown area. Years later, the Romance Falls became a favorite “Hooky Playing” spot for school boys. It has also served as an excellent swimming hole, a baptistery, and the location of various private and public social gatherings.

When the Civil War reached Kentucky Valley, most of the men were captured and/or injured. The Yankees viewed their win as an invitation to the spoils of Kentucky Valley; they looted the village stealing everything of value to them. They stole food, grain and cattle. The men had buried their gold before the war reached Kentucky Valley; thus protecting their money and other valuables from the enemy. This may have been the one thing which gave the people

In a “Town Hall” meeting, the citizens of Kentucky Valley agreed to ask J. J. Walter, the school teacher, to come up with a new name for their town. He came up with the name Romance. Some say the name was selected because it was such a romantic place. Others believed the name was chosen because there was a lot of romancing there; especially under the pavilion at the edge of the creek. For a time Cliffy Creek was called Courtin’ Creek, but eventually the creek became known as Desark Creek. I know not from whence that name came or exactly when it came to be called