October 15, 2022 - A Drive Through God’s Country

Flippin, Arkansas

October 16, 2022

Yesterday's drive was through some beautiful country in northern Arkansas. It has been very dry here so the leaves are a muted color as they change. Part of my drive was though the Ozark National Forest; as you can see from the map below, the area is fairly dense with trees. The economy of the area seems to be based on tourism (lots of canoeing) and cattle. While it was 80 degrees here yesterday, it must get cold in the winter as I saw "rolls" of hay out in the fields.

Here are some details about the notable towns I visited:

Oil Trough

Oil Trough is a town in Independence County, Arkansas. The population was 260 at the 2010 census. The town is believed to have acquired its name in the early 19th century from a trough used to render bear fat, which was sold to customers in New Orleans.

(Another town that has seen better days. The school is closed and looks abandoned. There is a park and a playground that is overgrown.)

Mountain View

Mountain View is the largest city in and the county seat of Stone County, Arkansas, United States. Located in the Ozarks, the city has a rich tradition of preserving folk music and culture. Founded in 1873, the city's economy is largely based on tourism related to its title as the "Folk Music Capital of the World". Mountain View hosts the Arkansas Folk Festival in April, various folk artists at Ozark Folk Center State Park throughout the year, and weekly music gatherings on the courthouse steps that are free and open to the public. The city is also known for outdoors recreation opportunities, including Blanchard Springs Caverns, trout fishing on the White River and the Ozark National Forest.

The town's name is derived from its location in a valley bordered by the Blue Mountain Range of the Ozark Mountains. Prior to the founding of Mountain View in 1890, the town of Riggsville, established in 1819 by Thomas Augustus Riggs, existed immediately to the east remaining until after the Civil War, when towns with southern sympathies were to be renamed or moved altogether.

Mountain View was incorporated on August 14, 1890.

Mountain View was the location of the 1929 trial in the Connie Franklin murder case, in which the "victim" testified.

A tornado on April 14, 1996, rated F4 on the Fujita scale killed NFL quarterback Kurt Warner's mother-in-law and father in-law. Another EF4tornado caused major damage to the town on February 5, 2008 in the 2008 Super Tuesday tornado outbreak, the deadliest tornado outbreak in two decades.

The local economy is largely tourism-based. Numerous hotels and restaurants exist to serve travelers who come to visit the nearby Blanchard Springs Caverns, in Fifty-Six, Arkansas, The Ozark Folk Center State Park, and Loco RopesTreetop Adventure Park. Many others seek the world-renowned trout fishing of the White River, or the excellent camping, hiking and mountain-biking that can be found in the Ozark National Forest. A few live music and variety shows, such as the White River Hoedown, also entertain travelers by mixing contemporary country, gospeland bluegrass music with a bit of local humor. However, the majority of visitors to Mountain View come to attend one of the two major festivals held here every year, and to enjoy the impromptu folk music jam sessions that occur around the courthouse square.

The remainder of the local economy consists mostly of agriculture, specifically the farming of livestock, primarily cattle and chickens. Large-scale industrial activities in the area are overall nonexistent, excepting a few small manufacturing companies. The Stone County Iron Works, a nationally known company that produces iron furniture, fixtures and housewares, is headquartered in Mountain View. Recently, the city has seen expansion of its personal aircraft maintenance and repair industry.

Stone County, along with neighboring Arkansas counties, is a dry county.

(I was surprised by the several RV parks that are located in the heart of the town.)

Fifty-Six

Fifty-Six is a city in Stone County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 158, a decrease of 15 people from 2010.

When founding the community in 1918, locals submitted the name "Newcomb" for the settlement. This request was rejected, and the federal government internally named the community for its school district number (56). It has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names.

(I visited the Fifty-Six city park -- it looks like I was nice at one time with a volleyball net, a tennis court and picnic tables. I doubt anyone has used it in a long time.)

Yellville

Yellville is a city and county seat in Marion County, Arkansas. Yellville is located in the Ozark Mountains along the banks of Crooked Creek, and neighbors the small town of Summit to the north. The population was 1,178 at the 2020 census. The town's original name is preserved in the Shawnee Town Branch, a local creek. The town also holds an annual Turkey Trot Festival.

Yellville is named after Archibald Yell, who was the first member of the United States House of Representatives from Arkansas and the second governor of Arkansas. He was killed at the Battle of Buena Vista during the Mexican–American War. Yellville existed well before Arkansas became a state, though originally known as "Shawneetown".

Marion County was formed in 1836, shortly after statehood. Shawneetown was then renamed Yellville. An old tale claims Archibald Yell offered $50 to do so, but never paid the money. True or not, Governor Yell's descendants heard the story and paid the overdue "bill" several years ago. Yell's name can be seen elsewhere in the state, including Yell County and Archibald Yell Boulevard in Fayetteville. Several biographies of him have been written, the most recent published by the University of Arkansas Press in Fayetteville.

During the late 1840s, Yellville was the scene of several prolonged gunfights during the Tutt–Everett War. John A. Schnabel organized his Confederate cavalry battalion in the town in 1863.

(Yellville was hopping yesterday with a crafts festival in the downtown area.)

Flippin

Flippin is a city in Marion County, Arkansas. The population was 1,345 at the 2020 census.

Flippin, Arkansas

The city was named for the Thomas H. Flippin family and was incorporated in 1921. The Thomas H. Flippin Chapter of the Arkansas State Society, National Society United States Daughters of 1812, was named for the military service of SGT Thomas H. Flippin of Captain Hugh Brown’s Company, 1st Regiment, Kentucky Mounted Militia during the War of 1812.

Ranger Boats was founded in and continues to operate out of Flippin.

Ark-Plas, Diego's Fresh Mex, Micro Plastics, J&P Auto Sales, Wal-Mart, Flippin Public Schools, Marion County Government, Actronix, Parkview Pizza, NATCO, and Spirit Industries are top employers of Flippin citizens. Located close to the White River, tourism plays a vital role in the Flippin economy. Several resorts that feature trout fishing and lodging on the White River include: Cedarwood Lodge, Sportsman's Resort, Stetson's on the White, White Hole Resort and Wildcat Shoals Resort.

(A small town with a Walmart where I spent last night.)