 European settlement in Prairie County came in the late 19th century, with Jacob M. DeVall and his son, Chappel, becoming the first recorded settlers around DeValls Bluff according to 1851 tax records.During the Civil War, the city held strategic importance along the White River, which continued to be the primary shipping corridor when the Arkansas River was non-navigable.A railroad connection between North Little Rock and DeValls Bluff gave the city further strategic importance.