[4] Prior to European settlement, Native American tribes, including the Quapaw and later the Cherokee, lived in the area.

Several historical figures of the Wild West such as Jim Bowie and Jesse James passed through the Greenbrier region toward Oklahoma and Texas.

Also in the early 19th century, the Casharagos settled north of Greenbrier in the present community of Republican.

Greenbrier is a town that developed from a minor brothel on the Butterfield Stagecoach route into a bustling city.

Recent years have seen continued growth as Greenbrier becomes a bedroom community for Conway.

Floods, droughts, and the Great Depression of 1930-1935 plagued Greenbrier and the social and cultural atmosphere displayed the feelings of uncertainty and dismay.

As adjustments were made to the natural physical setbacks, there emerged a conservative type of culture.

After 1935 the New Deal ushered in activities that provided employment which gave a new spurt of life.

The next two decades saw a reprieve from the earlier stagnation and people were again motivated to make Greenbrier into a thriving village.

Following the drought of 1950, a rapid movement from cotton to dairy and livestock farming was observed.

Matthews, recorder; Joe Castleberry, treasurer; and these five aldermen: Div Williams, W.A.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.9 square miles (20.5 km2), all land.

[4] As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,707 people, 2,014 households, and 1,365 families residing in the city.