Early Town History
Roland began its
formation in the 1890's when the Iron Mountain Railroad
established the Garrison Creek Train Depot a few miles west of
Fort Smith, Arkansas. The actual township of Roland
was organized in 1907, shortly after statehood. Roland is
situated between the Mayfield and Marshall Mountains. The
area between the two mountains was referred to as rolling lands.
Gradually, the name was shortened to Roland.
In Roland's early years, it consisted of a
solid line of buildings including general stores, blacksmith
shops, ice cream and soda shops and a restaurant. Today
Roland is a growing bedroom community to Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Commercial business has grown considerably in recent years along
our U.S. Highway 64 corridor linking Interstate 40 and Fort
Smith. Numerous restaurants, motels and industry have
chosen Roland because of its prime location. |
