Maumelle is a fast-growing, affluent suburb of Little Rock located along the north shore of the Arkansas River. It’s unique in that it has a friendly, small-town “feel,” yet it’s nearness to Little Rock ensures that the bigger city’s amenities are close at hand. Some are surprised to learn that Maumelle is its own incorporated municipality and that it has the highest median household income in the state of Arkansas. Here’s its story.
Maumelle was named by European explorers prior to the Louisiana Purchase and derives its name from the French word mamelle. In 1956, the Big Maumelle River was dammed to create the 8,900-acre Lake Maumelle, which is one of the main sources of drinking water for the Little Rock metropolitan area. In 1967, Jess Odom, an insurance executive, and Arkansas businessman purchased 5,000 acres in the area and formed Maumelle Land Development, Inc. Maumelle New Town, as it was originally known, began as five distinct villages and was anticipated to grow to 60,000 residents. By 1974, the first families began to move into Maumelle. Maumelle was incorporated as a first-class city on June 20, 1985, and by that time, more distinctive neighborhoods began to spring up within Maumelle. Popular neighborhoods in Maumelle include the Riverland area, Majestic Point, Edgewater/Waterside and many more. In fact, today there are more than 40 neighborhoods in Maumelle and the area continues to grow.
Two popular country clubs were also developed – Maumelle Country Club, a private club, and the semi-private Country Club of Arkansas. Both offer members beautiful golf courses, clubhouse facilities, and other amenities. Maumelle Country offers full dining and beverages while the Country Club of Arkansas offers both snack and full beverage bars. Very nice homes surround each of the country clubs’ neighborhoods.
The Club Manor neighborhood, next to Maumelle Country Club, features large, mature trees and wide streets, lined with larger, traditional homes. In the Osage neighborhood, you’ll find stunning, traditional brick homes and beautiful views of the Arkansas River. Homes around the Country Club of Arkansas are situated on nice, level lots and are moderately priced. For younger families, neighborhoods like Diamond Pointe and Rolling Oaks may be perfect, offering a variety of starter homes. And Maumelle Valley, located in west Maumelle, is bursting with new home construction if that’s what you’ve got your heart set on. Maumelle also offers some great schools, including Pine Forest Elementary, Academics Plus Charter School, Maumelle Middle School, and Maumelle High School. And there are churches of just about every denomination located in Maumelle or nearby.
You may choose to spend your weekends playing golf or tennis, but if not, Maumelle’s close proximity to the Arkansas River opens up a world of recreational boating and fishing – activities enjoyed by many families. Also, Lake Maumelle located west of Little Rock is a just short drive for boaters and fishermen to enjoy. Speaking of lakes, there are two beautiful lakes inside Maumelle – Lake Willastein and Lake Valencia. Lake Valencia is easy to spot as you drive down Maumelle Boulevard, located in front of the public library and next to City Hall. Lake Willastein is larger and further west, serving as a recreational spot for people who just love being around water. Festivities during the year take place in and around Lake Willastein Park. Walking trails around Lake Willastein abound and you’ll see people taking advantage of the beautiful weather as they get their exercise in a safe, picturesque setting.
Shopping opportunities in Maumelle include several boutique stores and shops which are fun to visit and for casual browsing. Many restaurants are found within Maumelle, ranging from fast casual and charming, quirky eateries to nicer sit-down establishments, offering different kinds of cuisine. Virtually all of Little Rock’s popular restaurants are reachable within 10 to 20 minutes of Maumelle and so dining out never gets to be a bore!
Perhaps the most charming thing about Maumelle is the people and families who live there. Maumelle has a reputation of being one of the most friendly and inclusive places to live in Arkansas. Be sure to take a closer look at Maumelle if you’re looking to make a move. And if you choose to live in Maumelle, we guarantee that it’s a place where you’ll quickly feel right at home.
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