Founded in 1828 as Oakland Grove, the town had been renamed Austin by 1861. According to a false local legend, the once-thriving town of more than 30 residences was almost selected as the state capitol. Beginning in 1858, it was a stage stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail Line from Memphis to Fort Smith. During the Civil War, both sides occupied the area, and the Methodist church was used as a hospital. In the postwar years the town recovered, but in the late 1800's the railroad bypassed it, leading to its slow decline. It was home to one of the state's oldest Baptist associations and was almost selected as the site of Ouachita Baptist University.