Counties in Arkansas were divided into administrative areas called townships, with elected officials — a justice of the peace and a constable — being elected from each township.
Early, when Fayetteville’s city limits were just six blocks by six blocks, the city was surrounded by Prairie Township. Originally, a county constable and a justice of the peace were elected from each township.
The justice of the peace was elected to represent the township’s citizens on the county’s legislative body, known as the “quorum court.” The elected constable serves a quasi-law enforcement role within the township.
Today, the justices and constables are elected from within 15 numbered districts to two-year terms. The district boundaries are redrawn after every decennial Census based on trying to give each district as near same population as possible.
Once districts were created for voting, townships no longer filled any administrative function. The townships do continue as nongovernmental, no functioning geographic units and are helpful in the Census to help understand where a resident lives if outside cities.
Prairie Township stretches as far north as Clear Creek, northeast to the Habberton Community, southeast to Baldwin, south a little past Greenland, and west almost to Farmington.
Current Fayetteville city limits have grown beyond the Prairie Township boundary in many places.