The present town of Cecil, Arkansas located on highway 96 was once known as Pleasant Ridge and was
changed to the name
of Cecil by Tom McClain who became Postmaster August 28, 1886 and
named it after his oldest
son-Cecil.
Just a few miles west of Cecil and down Carnahan Hill along Creek
road was a community of about 35 families formed in the early 1870's named Mill Creek which later became known as
Pauline, Arkansas when Dr.Wilson R. Bachelor became Postmaster March 31, 1881 and named it after his
youngest daughter- Pauline.
This community faded away in the early 1900's with Cecil becoming
the most prominent Town in the area. There were several
River Ferries to Mulberry from the Cecil area including the Long
and the Hoover ferry and at some time Jim Oxford even built a
Cable Boat that ran across the river. The first Gas Well drilled in the area was the R.S. Barton Field
in 1949. Cecil also produced the most Decorated Soldier of the 83rd Infantry Division in World War II...Captain William Leon Russell. He was known as the "King of the Purple Hearts" for his 7 wounds as well as the Silver Star earned in combat in the European Theater. He returned to Franklin County following the war and was twice
elected as Sheriff of Franklin county 1946-50.
Thanks To Lynn and Bill Russell Mail