Biohazard Cleanup Near West Widener Widener, AR

Widener is a town in St. Francis County, between Crowley's Ridge and the St. Francis River, on State Highways 38 and 50 and crossed by the Union Pacific Railroad.

The community received the name Widener in 1895, probably in honor of John M. Widener, who was involved in farming and the timber industry along the St. Francis River.

Widener was incorporated on July 17, 1909.

Widener was the birthplace of blues legend Luther Allison, one of the most celebrated Chicago blues guitarists of his generation.

The 2020 census counted 212 people in Widener, in 90 households and 58 families, down from 273 in 2010.

Widener's population peaked at 449 in 1920 during the timber era — the Encyclopedia of Arkansas table puts its later high at 381 in 1990 — before settling into steady decline.

The town covers only about half a square mile, all land.

In 2010 the majority of Widener's residents were African American, reflecting its history as a Delta farming and timber community.

Widener's early economy rested on the lumber and woodworking industries that lined the Rock Island and St. Louis–San Francisco railroads through St. Francis County.

The county seat of St. Francis County is Forrest City, a few miles west of Widener along the same rail corridor.