EIC's Boring Weekend Spent Stripping

On Saturday, June 11th, Rick and I were accompanied by Freda Cruse Phillips of Exploring Stone County and our friend, Beau, on a sneak-peek of our 2011 Fall Road Trip. While visiting several of the trees we plan to visit during the Fall event, we were able to use an increment borer that Freda had brought to get core samples from a couple of them. Our goal is to find enough evidence that these trees are indeed old enough to have been fashioned at the hand of Izard County's early Native-American inhabitants that we can generate some interest among a few biologists and historians. If we can prove these trees are as old as we think they might be, we may also be able to prove the route of an ancient Indian trace right here in Izard County. It would be a significant achievement. The EIC Crew has high hopes that these are what we think they are and that they do form a trail. But despite our hopes, we realize it is just as possible these trees are either land boundary markers or even storm-damage survivors. The samples are still being prepared for our "analysis" at this time and we should be able to take a good look at them within the next week or so.

Also on the 11th, Warren Smith, Rick, Bo Elrod, and I began the process of stripping the 150+ year build-up of dirt and debris from the logs of the Old Lunenburg Saloon. By this past Sunday morning, working at different times, that crew along with Jim, Junior, and my youngest son, Logan, had managed to finish cleaning the nearly 50 logs of the old tavern. It was a big step on the way to having the building restored and ready for visitors! It won't be too long until folks who come to Lunenburg will be able to stand before...and sometimes even go into...the very place history tells us the name for the town of Lunenburg was adopted!

Enjoy the photos. feel free to comment!

NOTE: Photos by Freda Cruse Phillips and Bo Elrod

Izard County Pictoral List of Endangered Places

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Tagging the Tavern

Video Below!




It is unknown exactly when the old Lunenburg Saloon was erected. The town itself, originally called "Rocky Bayou" can be dated to at least 1820 and legend has it that the opening of the tavern occurred soon after the first business, a trading post, began operation.

Because of its early importance to the Izard County community, it is imperative that this unique structure is preserved. That's why The Lunenburg Community Center Association along with EIC has decided to dismantle the old relic which was donated by its current owners, Will and Pam Willbanks, and relocate it on the grounds of the existing Lunenburg Community Center (The old Lunenburg Schoolhouse).

This weekend, Jim, Bo, and I along with Roger Harvell prepared the building for dismantling by tagging the logs for reference when it is re-erected at it's new site. The logs will be stored until we can clean them all, restore those that need restoration, and replace those that cannot be salvaged. Once repairs have been made and replacements fashioned, a slab will be poured and the building will be restored complete with a period cedar-shake roof. The building will be moved on Saturday, September 25th, 2010.

EIC is proud to be a part of this important project and hopes that the community will get involved as well by helping the Lunenburg Community Association fund the project through donations and sponsorships.

If you would like to help us dismantle and move the saloon, join us at 7 AM next Saturday at the old Smith-Tate home near the bridge at Lunenburg!

Trimble House to be Moved!

I received a press-release from Susan Varno of the Izard County Genealogical and Historical Society today that reads:

PRESS RELEASE—November 17, 2008

For More Information: Contact Susan Varno, 870-297-4223, svarno@hughes.net


Photo Caption: The 1815 Trimble Cabin in Dolph

1815 TRIMBLE CABIN TO BE MOVED TO CALICO ROCK

The Izard County Historical and Genealogical Society announces the historic Trimble log cabin will be moved from Dolph to Calico Rock. Property owner Carl Russell has donated the building to the Society but asks that it be moved. The Calico Rock Cumberland Presbyterian Church has agreed to let the building be relocated to land across from the Church on Highway 56.
James and Phebe Trimble built their log cabin in 1815. There they raised ten children. James was an elder in the Mt. Olive Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Whenever the circuit-riding minister arrived, the Trimble Family opened their house and land for a camp meeting or worship services. In 1858, James and Phebe donated 107 acres to the Union C. P. Church (now Trimble Campground Church). The land had a cemetery, meetinghouse, large spring and campground.
“We anticipate the building can be taken apart, moved to the new location, repaired and rebuilt for about $8,000,” said Juanita Stowers, Society Treasurer. “That is if much of the labor and use of some equipment is donated. Because the building is being moved, there are probably no grants available.” Several individuals and organizations have offered to help. Preliminary work may begin early next year.
If you would like to make a donation toward moving the Trimble cabin, send a check to the Izard County Historical Society, Account #0147992902, First National Bank of Izard County, PO Box 690, Calico Rock, Arkansas 72519. If you would like to donate time, money or equipment or if you have questions, contact Juanita Stowers at nita@centurytel.net or 870-499-3237. The Society is a 501(c)3 organization.

EIC will be helping in any way we can to make this important project a success. We hope that through our recent Road Trip visit and posts featuring the Trimble House on the site, this development was expedited in some small way.

We will be adding a page to the sidebar which will be set up to direct your contributions to the ICG&HS (Izard County Geneaology and Historical Society). Please help preserve Izard County's heritage by making a contribution to this important project.