Vintage Osceola Store Serves as 'Time Capsule'

Craig Ogilvie, travel writer
Arkansas Tourism

OSCEOLA -- "Progress" can be a subjective word. Those in countless communities across the nation who work to restore main streets and downtown districts know this well. They are often tasked with undoing the ill effects of "progress," such as uncovering storefronts hidden by subsequent facades or removing flooring or ceilings added throughout the years that can conceal detailed and original craftsmanship. In its 98-year history, though, Osceola's downtown Patterson Store has never been subjected to such "progressive" remodeling.

Retaining the store's unique atmosphere, the Mississippi County Historical and Genealogical Society reopened the building in 1993 as the county's official museum. With several items from the store's original inventory, plus many historic artifacts from area families, the museum is much like time capsule that's been opened in the Delta.

Fred G. Patterson, a Tennessee native, stocked his 1904 store with fashionable dress and work clothing for the family, cloth goods (sold by the yard), hats and a wide assortment of household needs. Patterson mounted small stools to the floor along the long counters and glass cases for the comfort of his customers. By placing several new shoes on the porch, he created a Patterson Store trademark. Perhaps the most popular item sold in the store was cotton pick sacks. During this era, Mississippi County was home to some of the richest cotton-producing land in the nation.

Today the store displays paintings and photographs of area pioneer families, glass and china items with local connections, books and photo collections, seats from the town's historic old movie theaters, plus a variety of antiques associated with retailing in the last century. The Patterson Store safe, cash registers and heating stove (from a freight train caboose) are also displayed. The long, handcrafted wooden counters, glass cases and stools, as well as high-wall shelving and window display areas remain in their original state.

The exterior of the brick building boasts large showcase windows and a setback entrance with a cast-iron threshold step from the sidewalk. The store's hitching posts and porch benches were restored several years ago by the town's Main Street program. The 1904 store and the adjacent 1902 Patterson building were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

During its long history, Osceola has moved west. First called Plum Point, the townsite was an important trade landing on the Mississippi during the early 1800s. Mark Twain mentioned Plum Point in his famous writings, but soon after Mississippi County was created in 1833, the citizens adopted the name Osceola for their town, which was now the county seat. Osceola, a Seminole chief, had gained national attention for his refusal to give up native lands in Florida and move his people to Indian Territory. A framed print of Osceola's portrait has a prominent place in the museum.

Henry J. Patterson operated the store following the death of his father in 1964. There was little change in the store's policies or merchandising. The trademark "shoes on the porch" was changed to the placement of a single shoe at the entrance to indicate the store was open for business. The 85-year-old store closed permanently upon the death of Henry Patterson in 1987. His sister, Lonetta Patterson, presented the 1904 property and the adjoining building, also owned by the Patterson family, for use as an historical center. The county's Historical Commission, established by the county Quorum Court in 1987, also played a vital role in establishing the museum.

Historic Osceola

For several years, the home of Peter Reeves was used as the county courthouse, and John W. Buckner became the first post master at Osceola in 1838. The town was incorporated in 1843 and re-incorporated in 1875. J.W. DeWitt became the town's first schoolteacher around 1840 and the Osceola Times was established in 1870. It continues today as the oldest newspaper in northeast Arkansas and one of the oldest in the state.

Cotton was destined to be Mississippi County's most valuable crop, but it took years to clear the massive timber stands and drain the swampy areas to make way for agriculture. By the late 1800s, the county was often referred to as "the richest cotton land in the world." At one point, about one-tenth of all cotton grown in Arkansas came from Mississippi County.

Osceola and Luxora were important shipping points for cotton and timber. This brought prosperity and growth to both towns and prompted the construction of a new courthouse at Osceola in 1882. It was a two-story frame building at Broadway and Union Streets.

In 1900, the St. Louis and Southwestern Railroad reached Osceola and was greeted by the citizens with an all-day celebration and picnic. The trains ran west of "Old Town" Osceola, which acted as a magnet for store owners. In 1901, the Osceola Times became the first business to build and move west of the tracks into what would become "New Town" Osceola.

The year 1901 also brought the legislative decision to establish a duel courthouse system in Mississippi County. It was approved and Blytheville was selected for the northern district seat. Both towns soon drew plans for new courthouses. Osceola's majestic brick and marble building, with a massive copper dome, was built in 1912 and remains the focal point of downtown. The building's southern entryway overlooks the older Patterson stores.

Fred G. Patterson came to the area in the 1890s and opened a dry goods business in "Old Town" Osceola in 1898, which burned two years later. In 1902 Patterson built a new store in "New Town" Osceola but soon doubled the size of his property when he purchased a structure built in 1904. The 1902 store became rental property, with grocery retailers leasing the space for many years.

People who lived along the Mighty Mississippi and other large rivers during this era learned to live with flooding. A levee was built along the river at Osceola in 1876, but federal construction of the Mississippi Levee system that started in 1882 did not reach Osceola until 1887. Several disastrous floods occurred during the 1880s and continued throughout the 20th century. The flood of 1927 was especially hard on Arkansas, inundating more than four million acres.

Osceola and most of the Delta towns survived and became stronger after each disaster. It is now home to some 9,000 residents and was the first city in northeast Arkansas to earn the Arkansas Community of Excellence designation.

In addition to the museum and courthouse, other area points of interest include the downtown district (part of the Main Street Arkansas program), historic homes and the Hampson State Park Museum, which is located 10 miles south of Osceola. This unique facility displays items from the famous Nodena site and includes prehistoric decorative and religious art objects, tools, and other artifacts from the early Native American culture. Also, a grand view of the Mississippi River is offered at the San Souci Landing, south of Osceola.

Annual celebrations in Osceola include the Winter Festival on the first Thursday following Thanksgiving. Live entertainment, food booths, a large parade, plus the Christmas season and downtown lighting ceremonies are part of this event. The Heritage MusicFest is held on the last Saturday in April with several bands and entertainers headlining the weekend festivities. The town also hosts a Halloween festival in October.

The County Historical Center (Patterson Store) Museum is open Wednesday afternoons the year around, plus the first Sunday afternoon in each month. The museum is available other days for groups and special guided tours by calling (870) 563-2915 in advance. Admission is free.