Zoie Clift
travelarkansas@gmail.com
Around 30 miles west of Hot Springs is the small townof Glenwood. The city is located near the Caddo
River in the foothills of the Ouachita
Mountains.
I was in town this week and made a stop at a
shop/museum I enjoy in town called Billy’s House of Guitars, which is run by
Billy Herrell. Here is an article I wrote on the museum awhile back in case you
might want to head there sometime.
shop/museum I enjoy in town called Billy’s House of Guitars, which is run by
Billy Herrell. Here is an article I wrote on the museum awhile back in case you
might want to head there sometime.
Since the Caddo River is right here, canoeing and
kayaking is a big draw to the area. Three outfitters in town include Caddo
River Camping & Canoe Rental. The store has been in the area for over 25
years but have new owners as of this year in David and Gayla Claborn. The
Claborn’s said the river is good for beginning canoeists with Class I and II
rapids and have a fleet that includes 189 canoes, 80 kayaks, and 125 tubes.
They also offer shuttle service for those with their own equipment. For more
details visit www.caddoriver.com.
kayaking is a big draw to the area. Three outfitters in town include Caddo
River Camping & Canoe Rental. The store has been in the area for over 25
years but have new owners as of this year in David and Gayla Claborn. The
Claborn’s said the river is good for beginning canoeists with Class I and II
rapids and have a fleet that includes 189 canoes, 80 kayaks, and 125 tubes.
They also offer shuttle service for those with their own equipment. For more
details visit www.caddoriver.com.
Another outfitter is Lucky’s headed by Thomas Kerberskey. Kerberskey said they
offer three different float trips. More details about this outfit (which has
been in business around 5 years and is located at 3 Baker Road) can be found at
www.caddocanoeandkayak.com.
Arrowhead Cabin and Canoe Rentals is also in town. More information can be
found at www.arrowheadcabinandcanoe.com.
offer three different float trips. More details about this outfit (which has
been in business around 5 years and is located at 3 Baker Road) can be found at
www.caddocanoeandkayak.com.
Arrowhead Cabin and Canoe Rentals is also in town. More information can be
found at www.arrowheadcabinandcanoe.com.
Also of note, the town is bringing back a festival
called Caddo River Fest and Trade Days, which has been set for June 3-4.
called Caddo River Fest and Trade Days, which has been set for June 3-4.
As to the history of the area, the town’s origins canbe traced to a number of ventures that began in the 1900’s including the
building of the Gurdon and Fort Smith Railroad (G&FTS).
Construction on this rail line began in 1905 and a
number of new communities, including Glenwood, were a result of this venture.
In 1907, the Caddo River Lumber Company built a large
mill at Rosboro. Soon a few more companies moved into the area near a railroad
depot in the town. With new mills under construction and the railroad in
operation, two businessmen, Curt Hays and Will Fagan, laid out a new town site
(Glenwood) on both sides of the depot. The town grew almost overnight.
mill at Rosboro. Soon a few more companies moved into the area near a railroad
depot in the town. With new mills under construction and the railroad in
operation, two businessmen, Curt Hays and Will Fagan, laid out a new town site
(Glenwood) on both sides of the depot. The town grew almost overnight.
A few years later, the Memphis, Dallas, and Gulf
Railroad (MD&G) opened new tracks between Glenwood and Hot Springs. This made
the town a major rail junction and one of the centers of the lumber industry in
the southern Ouachita Mountains. The population of the area continued to
grow when A. L. Clark Lumber Company built its own residential “town” for
employees near its mill.
Railroad (MD&G) opened new tracks between Glenwood and Hot Springs. This made
the town a major rail junction and one of the centers of the lumber industry in
the southern Ouachita Mountains. The population of the area continued to
grow when A. L. Clark Lumber Company built its own residential “town” for
employees near its mill.
In 1922, the Caddo River Lumber Company purchased the
A. L. Clark Company mill and expanded it. In 1936, a lighting strike started a
fire that destroyed most of this mill complex. Though the mill remained open
for over a year, the company did not plan to rebuild the complex. Soon, the
company relocated its entire operation to Oregon, taking many of the town’s
prominent families with it. The town was able to survive the exodus of people
due to a number of lumber operations that sprang up in the wake of the
disaster.
A. L. Clark Company mill and expanded it. In 1936, a lighting strike started a
fire that destroyed most of this mill complex. Though the mill remained open
for over a year, the company did not plan to rebuild the complex. Soon, the
company relocated its entire operation to Oregon, taking many of the town’s
prominent families with it. The town was able to survive the exodus of people
due to a number of lumber operations that sprang up in the wake of the
disaster.
In 1942, a new manganese processing plant was opened
west of town. At the same time, a global shortage of mercury caused by World
War II led to mining of that mineral in the area. These mills and their work
force gave a boost to the local economy.
west of town. At the same time, a global shortage of mercury caused by World
War II led to mining of that mineral in the area. These mills and their work
force gave a boost to the local economy.
In the 1970s Curt Bean Lumber
Company, one of the nation’s largest independently owned lumber producers,
located its lumber mill in town. In 1994, the Glenwood
Golf Club & Lodge was opened. Today, the population in town is around
2,100. The town is near many recreational outlets such as the Caddo River and
the Ouachita National Forest. The town is also near Crater
of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro,
Mount
Ida and Daisy
State Park. Glenwood is centrally located between three major lakes: Greeson, Ouachita, and
DeGray.
Company, one of the nation’s largest independently owned lumber producers,
located its lumber mill in town. In 1994, the Glenwood
Golf Club & Lodge was opened. Today, the population in town is around
2,100. The town is near many recreational outlets such as the Caddo River and
the Ouachita National Forest. The town is also near Crater
of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro,
Mount
Ida and Daisy
State Park. Glenwood is centrally located between three major lakes: Greeson, Ouachita, and
DeGray.
I have heard much about this town from my wife Patsie L. Howton Cole. I hope to visit it this year. I have friend there that I have never seen.
Dan Cole, Gridley, Ca.
Hi Zoie,
I had the privilege of meeting your parents when they visited my restaurant a couple weeks ago. They were a delightful pair as were the folks who were with them. Thank you so much
for your support of our beautiful area.
Susie Cantrell
Susies Kountry Kitchen & Katering
114 Broadway–Downtown
Glenwood, AR 71943
870-356-5112
Hi Susie! I am glad you got to meet my parents- They enjoyed their visit to Glenwood and I’m sure they will return soon. Thanks for your kind note! Zoie