A blog about the history of the Ozarks and the people who have lived in the region from the earliest recorded history to today.
Odd Fellows Ribbon
This ribbon was worn by the Past Grand (a position similar to past president) of Springdale’s Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) New Era Lodge #36. The ribbon is reversible . . .
Halloween Accessories
These Halloween accessories date to the late 1930s or early 1940s. The tambourine was made by Kirchhof, a company that specialized in . . .
Hem Weights
Hem weights were often sewn into the hem of a woman’s dress prior to baptism to keep the water from floating her dress up in a revealing manner. These circa 1900 weights were discovered . . .
Toothpick Holder
In the late 1940s Roy Ritter, a pioneer in the Arkansas poultry industry, was raising broilers at his AQ (Arkansas Quality) chicken farm in Springdale. At that time Ritter played host to . . .
Football Helmet
Donald Gregory wore this helmet in the 1940s. He was born in Mountainburg (Crawford County) in 1932, where his father Floyd ran a mercantile. The Gregorys later moved to Fayetteville, where Floyd . . .
Gibson Basket
This basket made by Lifus Gibson, a descendant of Christopher Columbus “Lum” Gibson (1865-1947), who settled near the Spring Valley area in northeast Washington County. Lum Gibson originated a basket design . . .
Serving Set
Elegant pattern names accompany this circa 1890 serving set: “Assyrian Head” for the fork and “Fontainebleau” for the spoon. These pieces no doubt saw their share of holiday meals. . . .
Flask
Stamped on the spine of this circa 1850 earthenware “book” is the title, “Departed Spirits.” The yellow earthenware flask was made by Lyman Fenton & Co., Bennington, Vermont, between 1849 and 1858 . . .
Class Ring
Frances Slaughter wore this senior ring as a member of Fayetteville High School’s Class of 1922. She kept a diary during her senior year. On Friday, May 19, 1922, she wrote . . .
Linen Suit
This style of suit was popular for young boys of middle class families in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was inspired by the 1886 book “Little Lord Fauntleroy,” whose main character . . .