Ouachita County, Arkansas was formed on November 29, 1842 by Governor Archibald Yell who carved it from the northwestern parts of Union County. The 44th county was named for the beautiful river that flows through it and forms parts of its borders. The name is pronounced "WASH-uh-taw" and is derived from two Choctaw Indian words "oua' and 'chita', translated "big hunt".