Local History - Newton County Times

Arkansas Historic Preservation Program to host cemetery preservation workshop

The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP) will be hosting a free Cemetery Preservation Workshop at Huntsville Cemetery, Huntsville, on Saturday, October 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This hands-on … more

9/9/24

Gone, but not forgotten: Early days of Plumlee Township

Plumlee Township was first found in the 1880 census. Before then, it was part of Osage Township. In 1880, 66 people were enumerated living in the township. Among them were first cousins Clinton and … more

By BARBARA LEROY | 9/9/24

Shiloh Museum to unveil redesigned public space Sept. 4

SPRINGDALE — The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History will unveil its new public space and announce its name in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and news conference at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4. The space … more

8/29/24

Gone, but not forgotten: The sad story of Nancy Hensley

Nancy Melissa Hensley was born in Lebanon in Searcy County, the daughter of John and Mary (Pryor) Hensley. She was courted by Pleasant Fowler, a farmer from Newton County. The young couple wed in … more

By BARBARA LEROY | 8/13/24

Gone, but not forgotten: The Adair Cemetery near Erbie

If you are hiking near Erbie, you may come upon a cemetery with comb graves. These are graves covered by rectangular sandstone slabs leaning together to form a gable roof. These are the tombs of John … more

By BARBARA LEROY | 8/5/24

Gone, but not forgotten: Early coroners of Newton County

Five men served one term each as Newton County Coroner during the 1880s. The first was James C. Hensley, a blacksmith born in Indiana in 1846. He moved from Indiana to Kentucky and then Missouri … more

By BARBARA LEROY | 7/29/24

Gone, but not forgotten: Early coroners of Newton County

Part 3 No man was coroner for the term 1870 to 1872. E. Daniels again stepped in and served from 1872 to 1874. Hosea Villines served two terms, from 1874 to 1876. He was a farmer, son of Abraham … more

By BARBARA LEROY | 7/23/24

Gone, but not forgotten: Early coroners of Newton County

The office of coroner was vacant from 1850 until 1852, when B. B. Rose, who served for one term before vanishing from the record. The next coroner was Henry Brewer, who served from 1854 to 1856. He … more

By BARBARA LEROY | 7/15/24

Members of Community Matters, a coalition of faith-based and nonprofit service organizations serving Newton County, met in regular session last Thursday, June 28, with several members committing to provide assistance during the upcoming Ozark Wellness: In

The office of county coroner has been filled since the creation of Newton County in 1842. The early coroners were not physicians, but rather men of good character and common sense. The first coroner … more

By BARBARA LEROY | 7/9/24

Gone, but not forgotten: The 'Barney' Cheatham Turnpike

Just after Newton County was created, Barnett "Barney" Cheatham was contracted to construct a road from the east prong of Big Creek near Mount Judea to Moccasin Gap in Pope County. The road went from … more

By BARBARA LEROY | 7/1/24

Gone, but not forgotten: Early Jasper Township

By 1860, Jasper had grown enough that the area around the county seat became its own township rather than part of Jackson Township. Eighty people were enumerated, and, as befits the importance of the … more

By BARBARA LEROY | 6/25/24

New Arkansas additions to National Register of Historic Places

LITTLE ROCK – Several Arkansas properties have recently been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “The National Register of Historic Places is a popular project of the … more

6/6/24

Gone, but not forgotten: The early days of Dogpatch USA

A group of Harrison businessmen started the project, and construction began in 1967. The first tours began the next year. People parked in a lot and were driven by bus to the village, where they were … more

By BARBARA LEROY | 5/14/24

Gone, but not forgotten: Newton County's prehistoric past

In 1903, Waldo Conard was searching for lead deposits along the Buffalo River. Instead, he found Conard Fissure, a site that yielded thousands of bones, including twenty new animal species. These … more

By BARBARA LEROY | 5/6/24

Gone, but not forgotten: How Cob Cave became Lost Valley

Cob Cove was a hidden gem of natural beauty that was discovered by conservationists who sought to have it preserved as a state park as early as 1945. These early efforts were unsuccessful. Then Ken … more

By BARBARA LEROY | 4/30/24

Gone, but not forgotten: The largest handle factory in the world

Lurton was home to the I C Sutton Handle Factory in the 1940s. At the time, it was one of the largest handle factories in the world. In 1943, Mr. Sutton purchased 1,000 acres of timber near the Cave … more

By BARBARA LEROY | 3/12/24

Gone, but not forgotten: A new political party

The Arkansas Gazette reported Sept. 21, 1946, about a new political party being organized in Newton County by veterans of World War I and World War II. They held a mass meeting in Jasper announcing … more

By BARBARA LEROY | 3/5/24

Gone, but not forgotten: First bridge to cross the Little Buffalo River

In early March, 1912, Judge W W Moore stepped out of his farmhouse located in the bottoms of the Little Buffalo River near Jasper. He was out clearing up his fence line when he noticed a farm woman … more

By BARBARA LEROY | 2/27/24

Small Museum Grants Program applications now open

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Heritage, a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism (ADPHT), is now accepting grant applications for the Small Museum Grants Program, which … more

2/19/24

Application period opens for Arkansas Heritage Grants

LITTLE ROCK — Community-based non-profit groups and others interested in supporting the mission of Arkansas Heritage are encouraged to apply for Arkansas Heritage Grants. Arkansas Heritage is a … more

2/16/24