Here is a picture of Eugene Williams from the book Hempstead's Historical Review of Arkansas, dated 1911. He started the Bank of Forrest City, son of Sheriff William Eugene Williams, shown also from the 1905 Forrest City Times Art Souvenir.
Cities and Towns in St.Francis County:
Blackfish Lake and others:1954 History of St.Francis County:Other communities of the county, are Round Pond, Blackfish Lake, Shell Lake, Powers, Good Hope, Gill, Pine Tree, Whitmore, and others.
Bonair-1954 History of St.Francis County:Bonair Community, located four miles south of Forrest City on Highway 1, is also known as McDaniel, the McDaniel's being prominent in the community. John McDaniel and his wife, whose descendants are still living in the community, came from Kentucky by covered wagon, crossed the Mississippi at Helena, and with cane axes cut through the wilderness in 1824, settling south of the present site of Forrest City. At that time there were only 12 white families between Helena and what is now Wynne. Other families now prominent in the community are Heustess, Danehower, and Pollard.
Caldwell-Population: 465
Caldwell, located five miles north of Forrest City on Highway 1 and the Missouri Pacific railroad, is believed to have been named for a Caldwell, probably William Caldwell, who came to St.Francis County and settled in the community about 1861. He engaged in farming and also in the saw mill business. The chief occupation of the people living there is agriculture. The largest store is the Lindsey Mercantile Store, and the Lindsey Gin Co. is also located there.
Colt-Population: 368
The city of Colt was established by the Iron Mountain Railroad, which built a station there in 1882. The city was named for the railroad contractor in charge of the station's construction. Colt was incorporated in 1926 by a petition presented by William Stone. Per Loyd Sybert, here is record of man who Colt was named for:2-19-1895 - Colt - Thomas - - 2-18-1885 - Colt - Edwin Thomas - Sr. - (Thanks Loyd Sybert, who has considerable knowledge of S.Francis County)Descendants of Edwin Thomas COLT, Sr.Generation No. 11. EDWIN THOMAS1 COLT, SR. was born September 1861 in New York, and died Bef. 1930 in Poss. Garvin County, Oklahoma. He married FANNIE A. FUSSELL 19 February 1885 in Forrest City, St. Francis County, Arkansas, daughter of JAMES FUSSELL and LOUISA ALSTON. She was born 1862 in St. Francis County, Arkansas.Notes for EDWIN THOMAS COLT, SR.:I believe that Edwin T. Colt was the contractor that completed the Helena branch of the Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad through Taylor's Creek, Telico Township, St. Francis County in 1882. A station was located on the new railroad in Taylor's Creek and named Colt Station. See the entries below:The Missouri Census listed Edwin Colt, 18 as a roomer at the boarding house operated by John and Mary Simpson in the Village of Clarksburg, Moreau Township, Moniteau County, Missouri. Edwin was listed as attending school.E. T. Colt 24 and Fannie Fussell 23 were married 19 February, 1885 in St. Francis County, Arkansas. The marriage was performed by J. M. Clark, V.D.M., and is recorded on page 368, book D.During the period 1886-1889 Edwin and his family were in Colorado. His two daughters, Annie Louise and Daisy M. were born in Colorado.The 1900 Missouri Census listed Edwin T. Colt 38 and his wife, Fannie A. 38 as residing in Clinton, Township, Henry County, Missouri. Edwin was listed as a invalid. Their children; Edwin T. 14, Annie L. 11 and Daisy M 7 all attended school. The birth location (TN) and birth date (Oct 18612) as listed in the census of Fannie conflcted with both anecdotal and Ancestry.com data. The 1910 Oklahoma Census listed Edwin T. Colt 48 and his wife, Fannie A. 48 as renting a home at 330 East 6th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. Edwin was listed as unemployed. Children; Edwin T. 24 working as a clerk at a packing company, Annie Louise 21 working as a stenographer and Daisy M. a student. The census still listed Fannie as born in Tennessee.The 1920 Oklahoma Census (difficult to read) listed Edwin T. Colt (?58) as a patient in a sanitarium at (23) (Raney Ave) Pauls Valley, Garvin County, Oklahoma. Loyd Sybert for FANNIE A. FUSSELL:Family Data Collection - Individual Records Record about Fannie Fussell Name: Fannie Fussell Spouse: E T Colt Parents: James V Fussell , Louisa Alston Birth Place: St Francis Co, Forrest City, AR Birth Date: 1862 Marriage Place: Forrest City, St Francis Co, AR Marriage Date: 19 February 1885 The 1920 Oklahoma Census listed Fannie A. Colt 57 as an officer and teacher at the State Training School in Whitehead Township, Garvin County, Oklahoma. It appears she took employment at the training school to be near her husband Edwin T. Colt, a patient in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.The 1930 Oklahoma Census listed Fannie A. Colt 68 years old and a widow residing at 715 NE Eleventh Street Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. She owned her home valued at $5,500. She was listed as unemployed but she took in roomers; Edith Grisco 25 and what appeared to be her sister, Willie 19; a couple, Jess Adcock 35 and Leone 29; Lillian Anderson 6 and a male, Leonard 8 listed as one-fourth Choctaw Indian. There was no indication as to who Lillian Anderson or the Choctaw Indian, Leonard were related to.Loyd Sybert Children of EDWIN COLT and FANNIE FUSSELL are:2. i. EDWIN THOMAS2 COLT, JR., b. February 1886, Missouri.3. ii. ANNIE LOUISE COLT, b. March 1889, Colorado. iii. DAISY M. COLT, b. July 1892, Colorado.Notes for DAISY M. COLT:Daisy M. Colt and her brother, Edwin T. were listed with their brother-in-law, Paul C. Aderholt in Oklahoma City in the 1920 Census.Generation No. 22. EDWIN THOMAS2 COLT, JR. (EDWIN THOMAS1) was born February 1886 in Missouri. He married MARGARET 29 August 1923 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. She was born 20 March 1894 in High, , Texas, and died 30 November 1978 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.Notes for EDWIN THOMAS COLT, JR.:1954 St.Francis County History-During the early history of St.Francis County, Taylor's Creek, which later developed into Colt when the Iron Mountain railroad was constructed through that area, was widely known because it was on the famous Military Road. Taylor's Creek got its name from W.Mitchell Taylor, one of the first settlers about where Colt is now. He was born in Franklin Co., N.Carolina, in 1826. He built a large log house on what is known as the Blaylock Place, one mile south of Colt, now owned by Fred McCollum, Sr. The house was built of hand hewn poplar logs, cut on his place and hewn with a whipsaw and put together with wooden pegs filled between the logs with small pieces of wood, mud, and mortar. The stage coach traveling the Military Road with the mail stopped there to change horses. Mr.Taylor married Nancy Casbeer in 1827 and had 14 children. After her death he married Mrs.Mary Temp'e in 1852 and had six children. He also had two step children. He had an exceptionally brilliant mind and made many trips by horseback to Little Rock to transact business for friends and relatives. He owned about 1500 acres of land, extending down to Dark Corner. When one of his children married, he gave them their choice of 80 acres of land or one thousand dollars. He built the school house and church, non-denominational, known as Oak Hill. The church was constructed of lumber made by his whipsaw. The seats were poles, cut flat on one side with pegs for legs. Mr.Taylor was eighty at the time of his death, Dec.11,1884. His surviving descendants include six grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. This information was compiled by Mrs.P.S.Stapleton, great granddaughter of Mr.Taylor's. As mentioned above the present town of Colt at the north end of St.Francis County on Highway 70 and the Missouri Pacific, was established in 1882, when the old Iron Mountain Railroad put a station there. It was called Colt Station for the railroad conductor of that name who built the railroad through that section of the county. Numerous residents at that time thought the new town should be called Taylor in honor of Mitchell Taylor, but he asked them to name it for the railroad contractor. The town of Colt was incorporated in 1816. At the time Colt was incorporated it had two cotton gins, six general stores, one drug store and two saw mills. In 1954 Colt now has two stores, one filling station and one gin. The town has two churches, Methodist and Baptist.
Attractions:
Stone House, William
Jct. of AR 306 & Ellis Lane
Colt, St. Francis County
According to oral history, the William Stone House was constructed c. 1884 and was a Sears & Roebuck pre-fabricated house. Because there is no documentation to support either claim, the Stone House was placed on the National Register as a c. 1900 structure. Little is known about Stone or the construction of his house, an example of a Plain Traditional residence with applied Colonial Revival and Folk Victorian detail. The house serves as a museum with displays on the history of Northern St. Francis County. It is operated by the Colt Community Development Corporation. Listed on the National Historic Register Oct. 8, 1992.
Forrest City-Population: 14,774- County Seat
Named for Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, the town was laid out in 1869. It actually began in 1867 as Forrest's Camp, in the area Forrest made his headquarters while serving as contractor for completion of the railroad through the area. The town was incorporated in 1871 and became the county seat in 1874. Area was home to musicians Charlie Rich and Reverend Al Green, as well as prize fighter Sonny Liston. This portrait of General Forrest is in the St.Francis County Museum in Main Entrance Lobby, presented to the Museum by the Thomas Seay Family, June 2009. This article in the Forrest City Times Newspaper shows probable origin of same picture: April-29-1898 - Picture of Gen.Forrest Given - Mrs.Galloway, widow of the late newspaper magnate of the Memphis Appeal, Col.Matthew Campbell Galloway, of Memphis, has presented a picture of General Forrest to the Knights of Pythias lodge of this city and has been hung in the lodge named for him. It was presented by James Fussell, son in law of Col. and Mrs.Galloway.
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Attractions:
First United Methodist Church of Forrest City
101 S. Izard Street
Forrest City, St. Francis County
The First United Methodist Church, built in 1917, was designed by John Gaisford, an English immigrant who settled in Memphis in 1896. In 1912, Gaisford wrote "How To Build A Church. The book was commissioned by the Board of Church Extension of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South and included designs for the Methodist Episcopal Church, South in Batesville, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South in Conway, and the Methodist Church in Clarendon. It is likely that the First United Methodist Church, the finest extant example of the Classical Revival style, was one of Gaisfords last designs, as he died on August 31, 1916. The design is not overly ornate, but reflects Gaisfords Classical inclinations. The First United Methodist Church was added to the National Register on May 19, 1994. Picture taken May 2006.
And here is picture of the (Old) First Baptist Church on Washington and Hill Streets, across the street from the Old Main Post Office, and the Methodist Church, at the crossing of Izard Street on Broadway Street, ca.1950.
Forrest City Cemetery
End of South Izard (behind Catholic Church)
Forrest City, St. Francis County
Many founders of Forrest City are buried here, with graves going back to the 1800s.This photo is looking West towards the Catholic Church. Picture taken May 2006.
Forrest City Downtown Mural
Forrest City, St. Francis County
Shows Native Americans viewing the coming of the railroad, picture of the mural is in the Pictures for Forrest City, courtesy of Louise Lockhart
This picture courtesy of Ralph Pipkins
Forrest City High School-Was changed to the Junior High in 1931, and later changed to Elementary School, and now, in 2006 School Administration Offices.
Rosser Street-Forrest City, St. Francis County
Forrest City High School, built in 1915, replaced the brick masonry public school building that had been constructed in 1892. The new Forrest City High School, known locally as "Old Central," was designed by W.C. Lester and built by J.E. Hollingsworth. The original building featured a symmetrical front facade organized around a slightly protruding central entrance bay. Significant additions have been made to the original building, including the southern addition in 1928, the western gymnasium in 1934, and the classroom section at the western end in 1958. All additions have respected the essential Classical Revival character of the 1915 structure. Listed on the National Historic Register Oct. 8, 1992. Picture taken May 2006.
And now, a postcard showing side view of original structure with the gymnasium added later.
Hughes:Community of-Coming
Madison:1954 History of St.Francis County:In the early 1800's, the stage of influence and activity belonged to the bustling river town of Madison, instead of Forrest City. The principal means of transportation in the early history of St.Francis County was the St.Francis River on whose west bank the town of Madison nestled. Before the railroad linked the East and West through this area, Madison was a great shipping point with large steamboats docking regularly at the landing. The town continued to flourish until the village of Forrest City, a natural outgrowth of the railroad camp town of Confederate General Forrest, on the west side of Crowley's Ridge grew into importance and then later, in 1874, became the county seat, replacing Madison. For years Madison was the largest town in St.Francis County. In 1841 the county seat was moved to Madison from Franklin, about 1855 to Mt.Vernon and back to Madison shortly afterwards. Madison is located on the foot of Crowley's Ridge on the banks of the St.Francis River near the crossing of the Rock Island railroad. After Forrest City became the county seat, Madison declined until it was only a small village but then businesses began to discover the natural advantages of the community in the lumbering business. Soon it was the site of several lumbering firms and ever today this type of business is important with the Griffith Lumber Company and the DeMange Lumber Company located there. Madison was incorporate on June 22,1914. At one time, the road from Little Rock and Memphis ran through the town. Current businesses include, L.B.Jones & Co., W.W.Draper Seed Co., Inc., and the Bondol Laboratories. Also known as the home of the Bond family.
Palestine:1954 History of St.Francis County:Palestine is a town of about 420 population, located seven miles west of Forrest City on the Rock Island Railroad and Highway 70(Interstate-40 in the late 50's) It is one of the oldest towns in St.Francis County and was incorporated in 1889, following Forrest City which was incorporated in 1871. There are several versions about the naming of Palestine. One is that it was named for a fatally injured employee of the old Crippen Saw Mill, which operated in the town for many years. The employee's name was Palestine. Another version is that a pioneer resident of the Jewish faith, and as the town's first Postmaster, asked that the community be named Palestine for Biblical reasons. At one time during the eventful history of this community, the Bank of Palestine, played its part in the growth of the town, as did an old hotel and two sawmills. Many car loads of railroad ties, stave bolts, and other lumber products were shipped from Palestine and even today, the making of ties is still important to the town. There are numerous churches:Methodist-Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Baptist Church, Church of Christ, and Antioch Baptist Church. The Palestine public schools were the first consolidated schools in the state of Arkansas. The only physician is Dr.H.L.McClendon today. Principal businesses in 1954:Sulcer Bros., Woods Bros., Littlefield's, Halbert's, Huckaba's, Floyd Pannell's, and Bell's, all general merchandise and grocery stores; Grimes Service Station and Grocery, Buster's Service Station, Cecil's Service Station and Garage, Fike's Cafe, and the Sulcer-Pankey Gin and Burns Bros.Gin. Located in a fertile agricultural area, Palestine is principally a farming town with most of its residents and those in the immediate surrounding area engaged in growing cotton, rice, soy beans, and raising livestock. More and more acreage is each year is engaged in the production of rice.
Wheatley:1954 History of St.Francis County:The Town of Wheatley in the extreme western part of St.Francis County, on Highway 70( Interstate 40 now), and the Rock Island Railroad, was named for Wheatley Dennis, former resident of the community. The post office there was listed under the name of "Wheetley" for a long time. The town was incorporated in 1907 with the late C.F.Hemenway as the first mayor. He also was the first Cashier of the Rice Growers Bank, which was founded by the late Henry K.Smith, Sr., whose son, Henry K.Smith, Jr., is the current President of this fine banking institution. The Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad was constructed through Wheatley in 1907. The town itself was in Monroe County for sometime, but three sections of land were included in St.Francis county by a special act of the Arkansas Legislature so the Brooks family could be in the Wheatley School District. IN 1909 the Wheatley Rice Milling Co., was started in Wheatley but burned in 1929. At present, there is the Wheatley Rice Drying Corp., subsidiary of the Arkansas Rice Growers Association. The dryer in 1953 handled about 1,250,000 bushels of rice and is expanding its capacity 300,000 bushels more. It was in 1929. too, that a tornado hit the town, killing five people near the town, injuring others in the community and destroying thousands of dollars worth of property. The first lot sale was in 1878. The 1950 census shows 406 population. The Methodist, Baptist and Lutheran congregations hold regular services. Businesses in the town:Dupree Mercantile Co., Nash Implement Co., Fisher's Grocery & Market, W.T.Carter's Welding Shop, J.C.Ashworth Mercantile, D.R.McFall Mercantile, J.O.Burns Grocery, T.F.McCarty Mercantile, John DePriest CAF, Hemenway Specialty Co., and Wheatley Mill & Gin Co.. Also the Weis Butane Gas Corp. Principal occupation of the area is farming rice being the main crop.
Mann House
422 Forest Street-Forrest City, St. Francis County
Hours: Private Residence
The Mann House was designed by Charles L. Thompson in 1913. It is one of the most decorative and gracefully detailed of Thompson's Colonial Revival houses and is unique because its Colonial Revival features are allowed to stand alone, without the blend of Craftsman elements that characterize many of his later Colonial Revival designs. Listed on the National Historic Register Dec. 31, 1984. This picture taken May 2006.
Mount Vernon Cemetery
Highway 284-Forrest City, St. Francis County
Oldest active cemetery in the county. Started as a family cemetery but grew into a large cemetery with many prominent families buried here.
St. Francis County Museum
603 Front Street-Forrest City, St. Francis County
Telephone: (870) 261-1744
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
Includes geologic, Native American, African-American and county historic exhibits. Also exhibits on famous county residents, including singer Charlie Rich and boxer Sonny Liston. Located in the 1905 Rush-Gates home once used as a family residence and physician's office. Photo courtesy of Louise Lockhart
This next picture is of the plaque outside the St.Francis County Museum Commemorating the Civil War Veterans
The next picture is the old county courthouse clock face from the one built in 1897, currently on display in the Museum.
The next image is the plaque commemorating the Railroad Camp set up for which the town received it's name. It is on Highway 1 at the railroad tracks on Front Street in Forrest City,
Stuart Springs
Stuart Street-Forrest City, St. Francis County
Stuart Springs, the largest and best known of the three springs in the area (including Izard and Alum), furnished Forrest City and the surrounding communities with a fresh water supply until the 20th century. Stuart Springs was discovered before the Civil War by Professor James Stuart. Soldiers during the Civil War camped near the springs, and many of the soldiers were reportedly treated with the medicinal waters. Stuart Springs is now a 16-acre park in Forrest City and a favorite picnic location for local residents. Listed on the National Historic Register Aug. 3, 1977.
In an article about Marvin B. Norfleet, History of Arkansas in 1911, it is reported that he purchased for a home the noted Stuart Springs, a tract of thirty-six acres situated in the northeast section of the city, where he arranged to have a fine residence erected, around 1910.
The next important pictures are of the Veteran's Memorial at the Civic Center recognizing the Veteran's who have given their lives for our country.
The next picture is of the Monument at the St.Francis County Courthouse to the Veterans from the county.
Here is a drawing of the Old St.Francis County Courthouse built in 1897, from the FC BLOG from Pauline Bogart
Here is another picture postcard for Carl's Courts, purloined from the FC Blog
Here are 4 pictures courtesy Hank Haven. They are of the Old and New Imperial and Rosemary Theaters in Forrest City back in the old days!First is the Imperial Theater before becoming a theater, then afterwards. Then we have the Rosemary Theater, before and after being made into theater.
Here is a picture courtesy of Henry T.Haven-It is his second grade class picture taken about 1926 with teacher Mrs.Coffee, can you name the other persons in list below? This grammar school was located near the old Armory built in 1949, now part of the First Baptist Church property.
Here is a drawing by cousin Charlie N.Haven, Jr. of the old St.Francis County Court House
Next is a picture of the old St.Francis County Courthouse torn down in 1976, built 1897.
A picture in front of the old Shearin-Wright Inc., Dealership, next to the City Hall, on Rosser Street, Forrest City, Arkansas, with Jo Ann Campbell pictured beside the convertible new in 1948!
Goodwin-Population: 225
Hughes-Population: 1867
This town was named after Robert Hughes, who donated part of his land to the Missouri Pacific Railroad company in 1910. After the town was established Mr. Hughes sold lots from time to time to businesses and families who moved to the town.
Madison-Population: 987
Originally established in the early part of the 19th century, Madison served as county seat to St. Francis county from 1841-1855, and from 1857-1874. Incorporated in 1914, Madison is believed to be named for President James Madison, who played an instrumental role in settling and removing the Cherokee nation to the Arkansas River valley.
Attractions:
Scott Bond Family Plot
Highway 70 West of 5th Street-Madison, St. Francis County
1933 burial plot containing remains of Scott Winfield Bond, a former slave who gained social prominence and became a self-made millionaire.
St. Francis River Bridge
US 70 over the St. Francis River
Madison, St. Francis County
Hours: Accessible All Hours
The St. Francis River Bridge on U.S. Hwy. 70, constructed by the Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company, was part of a 1930s highway and development project. Opening on Sept. 4, 1933, it is one of three swinging road bridges in Arkansas. Listed on the National Historic Register April 9, 1990. It was the main Bridge on East West traffic from Memphis to California until Interstate 40 was built by President Eisenhower in the 1950's.
And here is picture of the old Hanrahan Bridge which connected Memphis to West Memphis before 1950!
Palestine-Population: 754
Palestine is located along the L'Anguille River, in the Forrest City Metro area.
Wheatley-Population: 372
In all likelihood this town was named after Wheatley Dennis, a resident in the community. Wheatley was incorporated in 1907.
Attractions:
Smith House
Memphis Avenue-Wheatley, St. Francis County
Hours: Private Residence
1919 Craftsman design by architect Charles L. Thompson. Listed on the National Historic Register Dec. 22, 1982.
Widener-Population: 335
Widener was established in the late 19th century, and was named after a conductor on the Memphis-Little Rock Railroad who lived in the community. This article in the 1895 Forrest City Times records his visit:3-1-1895 - Widener - John - - Widener station was represented in town Monday in the person of John Widener, for whom the station was named. Widener was incorporated in 1909.
And now a picture of the USS Arkansas.
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