Weekend Potpourri

This weekend, we got out on a couple of occasions to give me a chance to fiddle with my new play-pretty. As I learn how to use my Canon HR10 Camcorder, I've decided to begin with using a standard video format. Once I get used to the camera, we'll begin revisiting sites to collect High-Definition footage from around the county. The higher quality is apparent in these clips of various spots around Izard County including the old "Swingin' Bridge" across the mouth of Calico Creek.

Enjoy!

Old Franklin Jail ?

Today, while searching for a couple of old schoolhouses, Jim and I were told about the Franklin Jail still standing in a field. So, naturally, we found it!

Enjoy!

Video Below!

UPDATE! A friend of the site wrote this to me today (10/7/10):

Denny,

I got time this after noon to go up behind the Franklin Baptist Church to look at the block structure that was referred to as the "Old Franklin Jail" in the video on the EIC website.

I asked around and according to JD Roberts who grew up just below there, that used to be used as an old root cellar to store the canned goods etc by the people who lived in the house located beside the block structure.

JD said the house that once stood on the foundation beside the block bldg. belonged to Mary and Dolmus ( spelled as it sounded), he could not remember their last name.

Later, Mary Williams built a house behind there and it to burned at a later time.

Another friend of the site had once asked us about the building featured in this post and told us that she did not ever remember a jail being at this location. This latest information certainly seems to confirm it.

We've gotten it wrong before...and likely will in the future. But we try. Oh yes we do!

Luckily we have friends like these to set us straight.


Note - One of the schoolhouses we were looking for was one near Sweet Home between Franklin and Lacrosse. A video-clip is included at the end of this video. The Sweet Home community served as home to many African-American families...most descended from slaves that once helped bring progress to Izard County. Because of this school's close proximity to Sweet Home, we are pretty sure it was a "colored school".

The Watkins Cemetery

The Watkins Cemetery is on property once part of the Watkins Plantation near "Wild Haws" (present-day Lacrosse). Three brothers migrated to the Izard County area from Williamson County Tn in 1844 to collectively build the largest plantation in the county owning the greatest number of slaves. Nearby once stood one of the most impressive plantation homes in North Central Arkansas, a two-story brick structure built by slaves with materials manufactured on the plantation. We have been told that there are still some of the original Watkins Plantation buildings standing in the area and intend to track them down. Rick remembers visiting one of the slave quarters as a child before it was dismantled. It stood within yards of the cemetery shown here.
Note - There is a home just east of Melbourne along State Highway 69S built from the brick once used in the old plantation house.

Video Below!

Gin/Mill Remains at Lacrosse

This foundation is located near the old P.O. Wren Store at Lacrosse. We are told that during its life it doubled as a gin and mill of some sort.

The rainbow was visible as we left the house yesterday morning and remained arched above us until we had finished photographing this site and were leaving.

Rick took some video today of the hills of Central Izard County from a hillside on Jumbo Road. Watch it here.

P.O. Wren Store (Lacrosse)

Today, we were privileged to have had P.O. Wren show us the old store building at Lacrosse. Mr. Wren told us his Dad had bought this store back in 1925 after his previous store located nearby burned to the ground. Mr. Wren ran the store into the 1980s. We're grateful to have had the opportunity to poke around and photograph this important piece of Izard County history.

All Sepia shots by Newburgian.

Video below.

Enjoy!

Knob and Dogwood (Spring Fever Update)

Spring means busy. Between softball,baseball, community theater, EIC events, work, graduations, and weather...we've had little time to get out and explore. That will change soon!

In the near future, we are planning to visit a couple of spots we've been wanting to document for over a year. One is Hobo's Den...a hidden-hollow with a shelter at a creek-mouth on the White River long used by those folks for which it is named. The other is Standing Rock, a three-acre bolder along upper-Piney Creek that sports a natural bridge somewhere on its massive hulk. Both promise to be a treat for us...and for you.

We've also met the owner and long-time operator of the old P.O. Wren Store at Lacrosse. He told us that if we give him a call, he'll take us over to the old building and allow us to get photos of the interior which is absolutely CRAMMED with interesting items from the past! All the shelving is still attached to the walls as are the old counters attached to the floor. Various items of tack and supplies still adorn some of the old shelves. This will REALLY be something you'll want to see!

So...keep popping in to see what the crew is up to. And watch your e-mail as we are cooking up some more good activities we can enjoy together. With fuel costs as high as they are, a good healthy "staycation" may be just what the doctor ordered this summer-season!

Also - For those of you who would like to contribute to the restoration and upkeep of the Old Schoolhouse at Lunenburg, you can send your donations to:

Lunenburg Community Center
HC77 Box 510
Melbourne Ar 72556
C/O Mary Loggains

This address will appear on our sidebar from now on along with a link to a page I've set up for the Lunenburg Community Center.

Lacrosse