A nearby grove of Ash trees suggested the name to local residents when the city was established around 1856. The area around the city was remote and therefore it was natural that Ash Flat became the center of trade for the folks who farmed the area. The city soon had a three stores, a blacksmith shop, a cotton gin and two saloons. In the following years as the 20th century approached the city also welcomed a hotel, a drug store and a flour and grist mill and a sawmill. However it was not until around 1967 that the city became the single county seat of Sharp County a position previously enjoyed by by Hardy and Evening Shade concurrently. Charles Elwin “Preacher” Roe a major league pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Brooklyn Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals of major league baseball and an all star several times was a native son of Ash Flat.

Ash Flat’s most famous sons was Charles Elwin “Preacher” Roe,