I visited rural central North Arkansas, an area of the state filled with unique small towns. Arkansas towns visited: Calico Rock East Calico Rock Big Flat Marshall Yellville Cotter Travel Vlog 177
I’ve lived in calico rock my whole life. The reason the population dropped according to the census is because the town stopped counting the population of the inmates housed in the prison at calico. There is around 800 inmates in that prison
My wife used to ask me to take the back roads all the time. We found some pretty beautiful places off the beaten path. She passed away 4 years ago, and I don't go driving much anymore. thank you for the memories in your videos.
Sorry for your loss. Precious memories are such a blessing from God. I hope you find joy in your memories and in knowing that one day you and your dear wife will be reunited again. She's not long gone, just on the other side where there is no evil or sorrow. Peacefully living.
My Wife and I use to get off the beatin path while traveling. Due to her health we no longer travel. We've seen alot though and have fond memories of the places we've been.
I just moved to Arkansas, I have moved around this country my whole life. I have never meet people that are so friendly and helpful, they will stop what they are doing just to help a stranger. I will never leave here I found my home. I can't wait to explore everything Arkansas has to offer and meet as many of these wonderful people as I can.
I grew up in this town. What you called East Calico we just called “old down town” and a fire destroyed a lot of it. I walked that road a lot, passing the sawmill that was very active in the day, passing Killians Feed Store, and walking across the Calico Creek bridge to go to the local library . The Main Street from the white river bridge was very active - a Saturday drawing would bring people in. The bank you showed converted to a restaurant, The Leatherwoods, which my dad go to each morning to have coffee at the liars table. It was a great place to grow up. My mom still lives there… she went to school in Big Flat.😊
@@brendamiller5785 the drawing on Saturday’s was. Big deal. Sunday through Saturday morning people would buy things and earn a ticket for so much spent. The ticket would be 2 parts. One went in to a large round cage that was used in the drawing, and the shopper kept the other half. If your numbers were called, and you must me present to win, drew a lot of residents. Because so many roads were gravel coming in and out, most people shopped local and it was quite the excursion to “go to town.” The liar’s table was at a local restaurant. The older, and some younger, men of the town would go there bright and early for breakfast and coffee. It was mainly a social thing where the local men touched base, talked about current affairs, people, family, etc. stories would of course be told and retold… thus the “liar’s table.” People of all demographics would sit at that round or rectangle table. It changed periodically. My dad was a frequent flyer at the table!
@@brendamiller5785the liars table was where some of the older men would gather at breakfast and meet. They would just discuss local and world politics, and get the feel for community temperament. They all knew one another.
@@brendamiller5785as the town was losing revenue, they came up with a campaign that so many dollars spent downtown would get you so many tickets in the drawing held on Saturdays at noon. Had to be present to win and it was $50 and $100 which was a lot back then. It was a great way to stimulate the economy and later that evening there would be a street dance to a live band.
I’m from California. In 1998 a friend took me to an area near Little Rock Arkansas, where we stayed for a week at a small house his family owned. He took his truck to the dealer to get his truck repaired. A day later, the dealership dropped his truck back to him at his residence. I thought that was unusual. He told me , now we have to go to the dealership and pay them. I was shocked that they gave him the truck before he paid for it. He told me things were done a lot different back there.
Damn right things are done differently we got what you would call the good old boy system I was raised in Izard County and now I live in Washington County but I wouldn't live nowhere other than Arkansas
The writer John Grisham wrote a book about a fictional baseball player from Calico Rock. His name was Calico Joe. I had never heard of Calico Rock until about 10 years ago when I hired a bluegrass band to play a concert for us. The manager is from CR and the lead of the band was featured in the movie Winter's Bone, a movie which helped Jennifer Lawrence receive her first best actress nomination. The woman I know from CR absolutely loved her home there. So please remember while many of these places strike the traveler as odd and sad, that view isn't shared by all who live there.
When I saw Winter's bones I lived about 10 MI from that town Cassville where that Sheriff's Office was and there are some crazy s*** goes on around there Southwest Missouri Northwest Arkansas crank, murders , and a werewolf called Momo Rumor Has It he was a genetic experiment at science lab in Joplin now it's Crowder College State Police station and National Guard base
@@terrigarcia7525 I was referring to the lead singer of Blackberry Winter, a bluegrass group. Meredith is featured in a group jam in one of the houses.
As a native Arkansas of 53 years, I can tell you that there are places that are run down and old that have been neglected for many years. Mostly due to money moving around in the industries and a lot of these people just never wanted to leave their home. On the other hand, I guarantee they're not many places in the United States that look like this and yet the people are some of the most courteous, civil and generous people you will find on the planet. If I had a choice of being stuck out not knowing anyone anywhere, I guarantee you 99% of any houses doors you knock on in these areas, the people will help you out. As for Arkansas overall, I grew up being 4 hours from Dallas, 2 hours from Beale Street in Memphis, or 7 hours from the ocean. We took trips to all of those places and many more and I felt most people never had the luxury of having that much entertainment and options to visit. Most people that live on the east or west coast are sort of stuck with what's around them and not a lot of diversity but here in Arkansas, I can get to many different points of social views right around the edge of the state. In the state we have such awesome resources that go unlooked at such as camping fishing hunting and at the same time having some of the best technology in the states. Where can you go dig diamonds out of the ground for free? In arkansas! Where can you find the clearest quartz crystals in the world, in Arkansas! Where's the largest store in the world based? Arkansas Walmart! Biggest trucking companies in the world, JB Hunt Arkansas! Lithium mining for lithium batteries, in Arkansas. Who feeds a third of the world with rice? Arkansas! Who owns the Dallas cowboys? An Arkansan... how does a little state that nobody really talks about contains some of the largest companies and most important people in the world? It's because we sit at the crossroads of both sides of the country and we get to see a bird's eye view of how we either want to be or not want to be. People here have the luxury of privacy and southern hospitality that you can find nowhere else in the world. People always try to make it look like we're missing teeth, have a hound dog on the porch and no one's educated. You could not be farther from the truth. There's always some segment that does not aspire to live like the culturally appropriate people you see on TV in the big cities. People here like to roll their sleeves up and get dirty getting something done, building something, or just playing with their four-wheel drive out in the field. There's so much more I could write but the overall point of view is that people here are not different than people anywhere else we just have a different speed in life and prefer generally the more simple things in life. God and family are the most important and most people here share that same feeling. Thank you for posting this video as I personally feel it shows the perseverance of Arkansas to maintain their heritage. One day these little towns will get fixed up and they will be hot spots for people all over the world to come to.
Native Arkansan of 31 years here. I feel like Arkansas is one of the US's biggest open secrets. On paper, one of the lowest ranked states in terms of income, GDP, population, etc. But a quick look at everything that comes out of our state, and it's clearly way more significant to both the nation and the world as a whole than those number on paper would lead people to believe. People (especially from the coasts) tend to ignore or even belittle our state, but if they ever saw exactly what we contribute, I suspect they would change their minds pretty quick. As it stands though, I'm mostly fine with our state being ignored. It makes living here all the better. People are nicer here because there are less of us and we all do real work for a living. Got to have a well functioning community to exist the way Arkansans do.
At the ages of 60 and over, we do not need the big houses, the newest things. We just want a simple life. The bills are paid, the kids are gone living their own lives, and we live that with them vicariously with the grandchildren. And we are happy with that.
As a person that grew up northern Arkansas, I have been to all your location on the video. It is a well done video, I really enjoyed it. A couple of comments, the town of Big Flat, my reasoning is why the income is so low and living on poverty is due to the age of the residents. Most are on Social Security. The town of Marshall, My grandparent lived there when I was a kid. They were forced to move from the farm to the big city of Marshall, due to my Grandfather age. The town in the 1960s had business on all four corners around the court house, two side (north and south) were destroyed by fire, and not sure but I believe the third (east side where the Post Office is) was also. In the 60s On the north side, every morning, a group of old men would gather and whittle pieces of cedar. From a stick to a toothpick. Don't think that they ever made any thing just whittled, told story, swapped knives and just enjoyed each other company. I learned a lot there. Most I probably shouldn't have. The people that had or have the Kenda, had a theater off the east side, before they built the drive in. There was also another theater on the south side that burned in fire. When you scanned from below the bridge at Cotter, you missed or just didn't cover, a large creek that comes out of the mountain. The last note, The Yellville turkey drop, was a part of a skit on the TV show "WKRP Cincinnati" as the actor Herb Tarlek (Frank Bonner) was from Arkansas.
I remember that WKRP skit, but if I recall correctly they dropped domesticated turkeys from a plane, and the results were as you would expect from big, heavy birds that can't fly. I was born in Arkansas, but our family moved around a lot so I also lived in lots of other states while growing up. After graduating HS I joined the service and only returned to Arkansas for visits with relatives.
That huge house at around the 21:24 mark was bought originally from Sears and Roebuck. Yes in the early 20th century you could buy the house in kit form from Sears. It was shipped by rail to it's owner, Dr. Sam G. Daniel around 1902. It was of course erected by local craftsman and finished in 1903.
As a kid, my Dad was so cheap, he would hide two of us 4 kids under a blanket in the floor while the 2 older of us would sit in the seat with our legs over them, just so he wouldn't have to pay for them when we went to the drive-in. Occasionally they would have $1.00 a carload night, and no one would have to hide. 🤣 But I loved going to the drive-in as a kid. They had a playground for kids under the big screen, and I remember loving to buy a "Chilly Dilly" (pickle) at the concession stand. 😊
It was always a flat price for the car when I attended. Made good economic sense because the space rented was but one car and the more people the better because they'd likely spend for refreshments.
I’m from London /uk I visited New York & California I love your country I’m 60 now and had a stroke in 2017 but I recovered almost back 100% health which is amazing your videos are so interesting to watch I love seeing Americas towns good and bad they are very relaxing for me I watch in my spare time keep up the good work
When you get outside of the big cities and suburbs, this is what much of America looks like: slightly run down, quaint, a little depressing, natural beauty, but a twinge of creepiness. The footage you showed doesn't look much different than rural central PA, rural Florida, rural Virginia and even rural Missouri. Yes, some states have different topography and each little town has a unique flair, but it's a very similar overall vibe. Personally, living in a place like this can trigger depressive states, but the natural beauty and slower pace of life in places like this is a good counterbalance to the overarching sadness and decay. Thanks for sharing the footage.
I agree with you, however many American cities have substantially more decay, just in certain areas. What I find interesting is the high poverty rates but low crime rates. Poverty does not equal crime as many politicians and others would have you believe.
Some vicious looking dogs!! That was pretty creepy seeing dogs popping out of nowhere! I hope your car doesn't break down otherwise "Cujo" may come after you!!! 😂😆
What I like most about these small towns is it's nice and peaceful and quiet, no graffiti no traffic jams no loud obnoxious mufflers. Another excellent video!! 👍🇨🇦
I dont know if anyone else gets like this, but anytime I see anything about Arkansas, I get all excited. It's like we get so little coverage for anything that when we do it's like "omg thats my state!"
Now that you mention it, Arkansas is not known for much! Anyone not from there maybe has heard of Hot Springs National Park but other than that what else does Arkansas have to offer? Maybe walmart lol
I have lived in NC all my life, visited Arkansas twice as a child and once as an adult. But I get excited when I see something about your state! My Grandpa Cowan was born in Jethro, married a KY girl and settled in Ozark where they started their family. My Mama was the second of 7 children. Grandpa worked in stave mills. He and his brother moved their families to NC with the opening of a stave mill here. Mama was 13 yo when they moved here. She never lost her accent though! I remember different family here making trips to Ozark every year or two. I heard so many stories from both of my grandparents and Mama that I almost feel like I lived there. So many stories I loved hearing! Because of those stories I was fascinated and loved the 2 visits I remember. I thought hillbillies (my Mama's name was Billie), the razorbacks and armadillos were amazing! And the only disappointment that first trip to Ozark was when Daddy took me and my brother to buy us souvenirs from the trip and there were none of those clusters of tourist trap shops to shop in. My Razorback shirt came from Walmart. 💝Arkansas
The population changed because they were including the prison population in with the resident population I believe. The town was a merchant area because there was a ferry that carried people from across the river and the train station is by the river. The town flooded and that is why the town became a ghost town.
And , maybe asking them about the History of some of these incredible buildings . Like at 41:32 as an example . But there were many in this video IMO , before this one at 41:32 ...
Hello Lord Spoda. Just wanted to say that in 1999 my parents lived and pastored a church in Calico Rock, Arkansas. My father died behind the pulpit there - that was the way he wanted to go, either preaching or having just finished his sermon, which is what happened on a Sunday morning. He had a heart attack (he'd had heart trouble for years). Good video. I had actually never heard of the town Big Flat, I think it was. But the rest I have been through before.
@@andromedayuyi9845 It was an Assembly of God Church. I don't know if Calico Rock has more than one in the town or not. I haven't been back since my father died there.
@@brendafife3253 I think you are right. Husband and I were talking about that too. Wondering what had happened. If a major factory shut down then the people probably left because they didn't have work anymore. But if not...who knows what happened?!
I currently live in Bentonville, AR and I love to get out and drive around and explore. I have found some pretty neat little road side attractions and some nice little shops in these little backwoods towns and some pretty good food too. I love history and learning about different towns and places off the beaten path. It is a good escape for me.
I can't say for sure, but the explanation for the population of Calico Rock may have to do with the North Central Arkansas prison population no longer being counted as part of the towns population? The town itself has typically had around 900 to 1000 people but when the prison population was added in, it jumped it up to around 1500 to 1600. It is typical to count prison population in with whatever municipality has it, such as counties and or towns. Just a thought
There is a North Central Unit in the city limits that has a capacity of 800. It does appear to be an active unit and all prisoners should count towards the population of the town. That would be the discrepancy in the numbers cited by Spoda.
I grew up in Texas County, Missouri. The county only has some 25,000 or so in population, but in land area, it's the biggest county in Missouri, bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island. Up in the northern part of the county is the town of Licking. About 15 or 20 years ago, the state built a prison there. Licking city officials originally said they would not add the inmates to the population, then later did, making Licking the biggest town in Texas County.
I live in Arkansas and have lived in Calico Rock and several of these small towns. What people who are not from here don’t know is that there are a lot of strong hard working people who know how to survive off of the land. If shitf in cities, people will wish they had grown up in places like this.
My dad grew up in Calico Rock, and when we visited twice a yr when i was little, i wished i lived there instead of the suburbs of twin cities. I still would like to be somewhere similar
"This town has a deliverance vibe", that's most of rural Arkansas. I've lived here since '09 and I can't say it gets any better, but I can say it's absolutely stunningly beautiful especially in spring. We have rivers, lakes, as well as mountains and caves for those that love to outdoor adventure and the hunting and fishing is great too.
I'm from Washington, and much of the western part of the state (outside the Seattle metro) has a similar feel, and likewise is beautiful in the change of season. The San Juan Islands and Cascade Mountains were our back yard.
@@matildagreene1744 that’s called fall and leaves staining the water that color. During the summers our waters are clear. Have you never made tea, I wonder…
It's kind of surreal seeing a pretty large sized youtube channel tour my home area. One thing to note, if you're ever in the Yellville area again, I highly recommend Razorback Ribs. It's right before the Sear's Home and the court house you showcased. They are really great. Yellville has a lot of good eating in general along with many of the other place places in that area. The area you showed in this video, while some places are small or poor, the scenery is very Hallmark worthy. I wish the poverty could be fixed for those struggling, but I am thankful to have been able to experience living in such a peaceful and beautiful area. The Ozarks are truly amazing and have some of the best outdoors.
I've visited Yellville several times in the past four years. My friend Yvonne was the postmaster there for many years. It's a nice little town. Folks are friendly and the scenery is beyond amazing.
I have lived in this area for 30 years and have lived in calico rock in the past 10! I forget how beautiful and historic the area is until someone like you remind me! As far as calico rock's population, I personally haven't noticed any changes or vacant housing. Calico is beautiful but some of the people who live there are a bit rough. The town honestly hasn't changed too much as far as being wild behind the scenes! I'm glad you love North Central Arkansas and all the beauty it has to offer! I was tickled to see all the familiar places I've grown up in.
Found your channel a few weeks ago and really love your content. I’ve been binge watching all your videos. Great stuff for all of us who love to just go out exploring America.
@JoeandNicsRoadTrip I just found these last night when they showed up on RU-vid as a suggested video- well I'm from Harrisburg Arkansas and I guess Google thought I needed to see them! First ones that came up were the ones about the lost and forgotten Delts,which, those are all towns south of me and yes,it's so sad to see. Have a good friend who I was also a coworker with and she grew up in Helena. I love this one, my husband and I have explored these hill towns and we have camped and ridden horses up at Big flat. North of Mt View which is one of the neatest towns in the state
I love this part of Arkansas. It's great. Laid back and still plenty of nature to enjoy. Renting a cabin there can make a vacation move a lot slower which is nice when you're getting older.
I'm in Melbourne Australia,.There are towns like this scattered in the " outback" areas of this country ,. I love this kinda thing, almost ASMR..keep up these vids...very interesting.
As always thank you for sharing these towns with us! I can’t help but wonder how population, city revenue, and industry losses, tornadoes, floods and lastly Covid have impacted these communities. Seems one or more of these events have sadly changed these towns. 😟
I was raised in Marshall (till I was 25) and now live about 40 minutes away near Mountain View. I enjoyed your video, but wanted to say the chocolate roll you showed looks like a Swiss roll. The chocolate rolls we made growing up are made with very thin pie crust, and cocoa, butter, and sugar for the filling. Some people fry them, but the best ones are baked in my opinion. When they are baked right, there will be a liberal amount of cocoa, butter, and sugar filling, and the pie crust will be folded over the filling, then sealed up with wetting the seams with water. Then baked until the crust is just done, and it is some kind of good. Just know that not all chocolate rolls are created equal.
I lived in Arkansas for a while and it is one of the most beautiful places I've been and also the best fishing I have ever seen! Ate fish all the time!
I lived in Arkansas for about 25 years . We moved away a couple of years ago, watching this makes me miss those mountains and clear water.. kinda homesick now lol thank you!!
Love that you posted a vid about a state not so mainstream! I dont hear hardly anything about AR in the media, and super star celebrities bypass it so it gets little recognition. As an AR resident. Thankyou for taking the time to share your tour.
I enjoy your vids, please remember that the less well to do are people who have done the best for them, these folks are the backbone and the overlooked and they deserve respect
In Big Flat, Arkansas, the reason the poverty is so high is because of the age and health of the residents. I'm on disability and I am below poverty level. I worked as a RN for years but unfortunately health can take its toll on anyone at any age. Our country needs to do better about helping those who cannot work because of health or taking care of people who are elderly. All that being said, Arkansas has the most compassionate and friendly people anywhere. We can have a $1.00 to our name and if someone really needed that dollar we would give it to them.
@@surfandstreamfisher5749 The wealthiest 1% has taken $50 trillion from working Americans and redistributed it, a new study finds - and Trump gave them another $2.3 trillion. Here's what that means: No universal healthcare. A terrible education system. Police forces that are incompetent at best and criminal at worst. Infrastructure that is actually dangerous. So not immigrants. Billionaires.
I'm in Mountain Home, Arkansas. We've been to the drive-in a few times. It's a really great place and seems to be pretty popular with all ages. It's also quite a bit cheaper between the entry and concessions costs than the modern places. Above all, you get to experience something that has almost completely disappeared. It would be so neat to see more of these places brought back.
One thing I’ve noticed about the towns in western Arkansas. No matter how poor they are, the folks are nice, and the town centers have pride. They may be old and a bit rundown, but man, they have class.
My dad went to bull riding school in Calico Rock. I grew up a few counties away. I love the small country towns. Some of them are no more than a wide spot in the road. I believe Calico Rock is losing population because of work, that would be my first guess, the jobs aren't there. Some of these small towns don't have alot of money, very little, but like you said it is relative, it's just not expensive at all to live in these towns, if you can find a good house for sale it will be surprisingly affordable. The old houses are everywhere and even though they're common here we love seeing old architecture taken care of.
My son's & I first visited AR 12/30/20; instantly felt like home when crossing the big bridge near the Bass Pro Pyramid. We visited 6/7 more times from then until 8/20/22 when we moved from Georgia to Arkansas. We love it here SO much!! I can't wait fir us to get to visit more places in our new beautiful, amazing state.
The summer before last I took a few days driving through NW Arkansas. The landscape was absolutely beautiful. Even the abandoned homes and towns here and there were picturesque in their own way. I didn't get to see as much as I wanted to, because driving was slow. The state highways were in excellent condition, but I'm not used to driving those twists and turns. I also had a lot of good food and friendly people.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I've been hoping for a rural Arkansas video. It's one of the areas we're looking at for retirement. At present Tupelo Mississippi holds the #1 spot. I can't wait to live back in the south. Should never have left. Thoroughly enjoy your videos.
Tina, look at Fayetteville, Mountain Home, Heber Springs and Greers Ferrry. Northern Arkansas' climate will be nicer than Tupelo's, unless you like hot and muggy all the time.
Tupelo, Mississippi is NOT hot and muggy ALL the time. The climate there is more like Tennessee’s climate, because it is North Mississippi. I am from Mississippi. It is HOT AND MUGGY ALOT WHERE I LIVE IN MISSISSIPPI, which is Central Mississippi! But, Southern Mississippi is even hotter. It takes between 6 or 7 hours to get from Southern Mississippi to Northern Mississippi. The temperature can change a lot in that amount of time depending on what time of year it is. IF YOU HAVE DEEP POCKETS MOVE TO MADISON, MISSISSIPPI. It’s where all the Rich People live, including Coach Deion Sanders. It is one Beautiful place to live.
Thank you for the video. I recently relocated right in this area ( Mountain Home) and have been through most of the towns you went through. Its a beautiful place and the people are kind and friendly . Population is older, retired folks mainly, but super family friendly. I would say God, family, nature and love of country are the priorities here.. And yes, it is peaceful .
You and Adam the Woo do a perfect job with these out of time Americana small quaint towns. It is important to have vids for people to watch that otherwise would never know the names of these places, much less see a little of them. These places are our heritage.
I live in NE Arkansas , in the hills , and it is a lot like what you see in this Video . I live in the town of Imboden , on the Spring River . This was once one of the busy shipping points for cotton and other crops .
Do you ever talk to locals in the areas you visit? I love being able to 'ride-along' with you as you explore these shrinking towns, but I wonder if you're ever interested in the human stories they also contain. I suppose that being on vacation predisposes you to avoiding too much time spent in a single place, which may be necessary in order to talk to locals. But I was curious. Thanks for such interesting content!
It was killing me to not know what the drive-in was showing! Fear not. American Google as opposed to Australian Siri has the listing for this week at the Kenda Drive-In: The Polar Express and National Lampoon Christmas Vacation both starting at 7:30PM. And I agree, drive-ins were the locations of some of the best times of my life!
I can attest that that drive in in Marshall is great. The food selection is outstanding and is about half the price you will pay in a movie theater. I highly recommend it
We used to all go to the Laconia New Hampshire one with lawn chairs sit outside put your lawn chair near a Jeep so you can hear the movie it just closed like 10 years ago
@@alcaholic9559 I use to make the circuit of drive-ins around Chicago on dates. One night we did two one the same night because sometimes we actually watched the movies and we wanted to see two in particular which were playing at different drive-ins. This was about 40 years ago. Not sure if any of those spots are left.
I grew up in Fifty Six, Arkansas that you went through on Hwy 14 between Allison and Big Flat. It’s a wonderful area I’m proud to have been raised in. My husband and I have been planning on to a video on the area if we can ever get home. I was going to give you the info on why Calico Rock had the population drop but I see someone already informed you of what happened with the prison. My sister and her husband still live in Calico Rock. Great video and thank you for covering this area. Teresa White / T&Me TV
It's really fun for me to see these places again. And to hear the names of places if been. Arkansas is nostalgic for me. My grandmother and many generations before are from Arkansas. I lived in Mountain View for a year in 1992 -93 when I was 17-18.
I've been watching your videos of old towns for several hours and I just can't stop! What fantastic stories these towns must have. If only they could talk! I believe they are a REAL part of America's history and culture. Again, I've never been to the US (a bit far from the centre of Europe) but due to your videos I can see it. For me (I live in a big city) it's something different. from what I am used to. We also have small towns and villages, but they look totally different.
A bit of a bizarre feeling seeing my old home town in a video like this. I moved out of Marshall a couple years ago and haven't been back since so this brought back quite a few nice memories. It's hard to find a town with a more complicated history than that place so it's nice to see some interest being taken in it.
I was born and raised in Arkansas, and can promise you that you can find millions of these sad little towns if you just drive out of Little Rock and look around.
Wow, I only look at your Arkansas state because my Mother and Grand Mother were both born there in Little Rock. The family own a lot of land there, but I've never been there before. But from all I see and here abouggt Arkansas it makes me so glad my Grand Mother left there in the early 1930's.
I am 49 yards old and from Oregon in 2010 my dad (from Oakland)and I had the pleasure of visiting is siblings he had never met in his 50 years on earth. The small sad town our family was from was England. It was very sad yet we were happy to be there because we had NEVER experienced anything like this. The spirit of the town was that it had been in a time warp. My family ( with our last name) we’re the majority of this town. There were flood water marks on some of the homes. Boarded up homes where folk STILL resided. Like you say the earth has reclaimed homes. The whites would not respond to a simple hello. It took all of twenty minutes to get through a tour one of my cousins took me in. My uncles wife was the principal of the school. There was one stop light that was actually a blinking four way stop. One Kroger food market and I didn’t know what a “dry county” was. I thought it meant you couldn’t drink alcohol on Sunday’s. It just appeared left behind. I WOULD like to visit again though because the businesses that WERE operating had folk that look like me. I don’t see that where I was born
I live in Dallas but I’m Moving back to Central Arkansas/Little Rock Area after not living there in 15 years(I was Born in LR)…..Arkansas is a Rare Gem in the U.S.A as a Whole and I’m a Trucker ❤️…..
Some 50 years ago I stumbled into the Arkansas Ozarks. I was amazed. Eventually moved to Northwest Arkansas -- more urban, increasingly so, but close to the beautiful hills.
I came from north central Arkansas (near Calico Rock actually) to NWA in my mid 20s. It's a great place to live out your working years, but I'll probably retire back to the hills if and when the time comes. The peace and seclusion in that area is perfect for rest and relaxation.
I'm new to your channel and have to say, your videos are so enjoyable and intriguing. I love hearing about the history of each town, and your voice is calming and pleasant. I especially love seeing the unique architecture, the different downtowns, other cool finds, and the buildings overtaken by nature. New subscriber ^_^
The White River around Cotter has some of the best trout fishing and scenery you will ever come across. The wife and I go there several times a year. We love it.
My dad grew up in Calico Rock! We went there from MN twice a yr, and i loved it, and used to wish i could live there instead of the Twin Cities suburbs. It's still a dream of mine to live in Arkansas sometime.
The houses on the White River really drive up the median price range for the houses. Also, I cannot believe you didn't go to Mountain View since you were so close. It's a very pretty town and has an interesting history.
Calico Rock had a major fire that took out much of it's main street through town. It happened in the early 1920's. My great grandfather lived there for a short time which sparked my interest about CR. It was believed that the fire started from sparks coming from a passing train and dry weather conditions. I don't think it was ever proven though. Oh, I moved from a big city to a much smaller one in Ohio and there is a drive in theatre here.
In 1971 I went with a group of guys from a private school near Atlanta on a canoe trip down the White river from Cotter to Des Arc. We camped at Calico Rock within the first week, and to us (mostly city slickers and a little arrogant) we thought this town was an icon of "Hicksville", USA. Of course we grow up and lose these provincial ideas. Thanks for taking us on your adventure. It brought back old memories, and generally interesting.
The red pickup truck...reminded me of my favorite vehicle out of over 300 I've owned: 1966 Chevy C-10, Hunter green, straight 6, smoothest ride ever. I loved it so much I was drawing plans to be entombed underground in it. I lost it when I lost my home, my property, my occupation, my family, my 20 years of recorded original music and art...I learned that it's possible to marry the wrong gal. But, that was the path that got me where I am so I'm happy about it. My Mother was from Arkansas. Her Dad was a share-cropper who took his family to California during the Dust Bowl years.
Would like to see the inside of a house for sale (open house) and maybe an older resident talk to you and give us some history of the towns ! Enjoyed the ride , keep it up...
You know you're in a small town/place when dogs will chase your car. In a place with many cars on the road, the dogs couldn't keep up with the number of cars and would give up. And for sure they ( the dogs) will chase you on a bicycle. I know this for a certainty because I was born and raised in Arkansas. I'm sure this dog chasing cars happens in other states also, I've noticed it in rural east Texas.
Not in a major big city 🌆🏙️ , it looks depressing he's been driving all around for hours haven't seen anyone yet I'd loose my mind 😂 I'm sorry I'm just a city body 👅 I need to hear noise 😃
@0917 The little house used to have a porch. The lady of the house sat there shelling peas for dinner in a world far different from the one we live in.
Loved the video and the stats that you shared. Wish you had come to Central Arkansas, so many small and smaller towns with amazing history. I was born and raised in Kensett, Arkansas and it was a wonderful little town, moved away for about 27 years and when I came back I was amazed at how sad it looks. Most of the downtown building are gone or replaced by metal or unattractive, functional buildings. And yes, the streets are very narrow, something I am having to adapt to. You do have a new subscriber!
Born and raised in Mountain View Arkansas.. We like to say Big Flat isn't a "Town" it's the liquor store! 🤣That is literally all that is there. Should have gone to Mountain View. What a treat!!
@@tomduley6357 Dry counties and wet. Crawford County (Van Buren) is dry.Then drive over the Arkansas River to Sebastion County (Fort Smith) and liquor stores line both sides of the road. 😂 🐊 Lisa from the Sunshine State
I love seeing these beautiful houses. They are all different. We don't have houses like this in UK. I like the idea of sitting on a swing on a huge porch...maybe one day🙂❤️
Great memories of a trip to Yellville... wish you'd had time to go to Eureka Springs, with its spring in the basin, steps everywhere downtown and TWO Haunted hotels... one of which I have stayed in twice!
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip eureka Springs would be better to visit in the fall as the foliage is absolutely beautiful. You're going to be shocked that a little town like that exist in Arkansas
Thoroughly enjoying these trips through rural America.. as an English pilot, granted opportunities to travel through a good deal of America.. including Alaska, not only by air but also by road, I've sought out the more remote areas whenever the opportunity arose.. 38 States at the last count.. but this is for me, an Education.. Now retired with limited resources, I wish I could be sitting beside you..Well Done and, Many Thanks.. :>)
Perfect weather for going thru a ghost town. Have been thru Calico Rock several times, once even when I was a kid and lived up in Illinois. My parents went down to visit her brother in Mtn. View. Marshall has the only drive-in theater that is still in operation in all of AR. At 22:35-50 you passed by the old Roten's furniture stores (across from the Coke mural), which was a fixture since after WWII and one of the most fun furniture stores ever. They had awesome pricing and free delivery. Much of the furniture in our house came from there, and we are still very happy with it all.
I have loved ALL these videos you’ve done. You came close to my hometown of Sulphur Springs TX. You should do a quick video of towns on the interstate and see how much of a difference it makes
I live in Lake Village, Arkansas. The county seat and home of the largest natural oxbow lake in Northern America. I really enjoyed watching. Memories! I’ve ridden or drove many a backroads just like those! Not through watching yet but Arkansas is home to Sam Walton (wal mart), Country star Freddy Fender worked in Lake Village and started his career. In 1923 Charles Lindbergh made his first night flight over Arkansas. When he had engine trouble he landed in Lake Village. Chicago Bulls star Scotty Pippen is from Hamburg not far from here. Just a few interesting tidbits. 🤔😀
We were traveling and spend the night at an RV camp ground at Lake Village ..... It was just beautiful there. I want to go back there again and spend a week ..
May I suggest a trip to southern Arkansas towns just outside of El Dorado; Strong & Huttig. Similar to these little towns but a history all their own. A very interesting part is the tornado that went through Strong many years ago. I believe that is what changed its trajectory into the future.
Go across the whole of South Arkansas. Lake Village has the largest natural oxbow lake in Northern America. A lot of farms. And a place where many Italians settled. And stop along the way on your route at what look like mom and pop’s cafes. You won’t believe the food!
Born and raised in south Arkansas. Know the areas you mentioned well. Why did you have to invite him here? Now everyone will know of the paradise around here.
Well I found out where all my Gen Xer's are hiding out....Arkansas! LOL I love those towns! I may sell my land in TX and move to AS. Absolutely gorgeous!! Thank you for sharing this wonderful video.
Hate to disappoint them but there is another town called Calico. I believe it's a ghost town in San Bernardino County in California, I visited it years ago,and i think the name was chosen for the same reason.
Calico Calif....nice place out in the middle of nowhere. Owned by Walter Knott of Knotts Berry Farm fame. Worked there decades ago. And just up the road from Calico is Ft Irwin/NTC....charming place...🤣
I don't know if we were watching the same video, but I saw and heard Calico Rock township and East Calico township. Did not see Calico anywhere in this video.
I've lived all over the world but the place I miss most is Flippin, Arkansas. I used to take my kids to the Kenda drive in when they were growing up and they loved it. No place has better lakes and friendly people. Thank you for taking me back home!
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip I live in Gassville, between Flippin and Mountain Home. A lot of wealthy people retire to this area because of the lakes, rivers, and very low crime rate. I'll never move from the area. I love it here
When our family lived in TX, my husband and I went to a drive-in movie in Ft. Worth, early eighties. There was a drive-in in Granbury, and we took our boys there to see E. T. We saw that the drive-in's were going away, so we wanted them to be able to say that they had been to one. Since you are from TX, I know that you will be familiar.
Cotter: Get out of the town and go up to the ridges. Beautiful homes there. Almost as if Arkansas wants to keep their downtowns run down to discourage Californians from moving in..
@Sealight007 We have that problem where I'm at. Most of the Californians that arrive here are disturbed, anti-social and very mean spirited too. I'm almost thinking that most of them are drug addicts or on some kind of meds.
Really enjoyed the segment on Yellville, Ar 30:16. Just a wonderful video on small town USA. There are a couple of RU-vid videos on the October Turkey Trot 2023 festival and the Miss Drumstick pageant that are worth viewing restoring faith in family, community and friends. There is also a 1983 video on the turkey being dropped out of the airplane. Your research is amazing and appreciated. Would not have known about these towns without your posting. Mahalo!
Parts of PA are like this, too, and probably many other states. I hadn't thought about it, but your title is probably on the mark - if you are in an area that's 50 or 100 miles from an interstate, there's not much there. These towns in PA often had small manufacturers or tourist areas along the old US route system or more major state routes. Expansion now of industry comes in rural areas near interchanges - especially distribution and food manufacturing, etc. the buildings are empty like that, too. The roof goes, the inside rots out and if someone doesn't intentionally dump all of their garbage in them, stone and masonry walls remain with some window frames. if you find any "baller" houses in the areas, they're usually owned by someone who has a big stake in some industry that doesn't rely much on population (large ag, lumber products, or whatever). Or near where I grew up in one sort of backwoods area, nothing nothing nothing, then giant house for local personal injury lawyer.
My best friends dad was born and raised in the hills just outside of Marshall. We drove down(from Washington state) in the summer of 1970 and spent a couple weeks there. Beautiful area. R.I.P. John and Robert.
I live in LA (Lower Arkansas). I love it here & the people are it's greatest resource. My friend has a certified organic farm in a town of 57 people. I've spent a lot of time helping with the farm. At the last Census we lost 2000 in population. That doesn't seem like much but when your county only has 22,000 population, it's a lot. The kids are leaving & not coming back. COVID didn't help either.
Sometimes it fluctuates with gas prices an the economy and country towns. An industries for jobs. But if I had my choice it'd be down home every time! I'd rather sit by a creek and catch swiftwater Breams, than go to Starbucks and eat at Taco Bell.
My dad grew up in Arkansas. I only have good memories of my trips there as a child. And we visited a lot of towns and relatives of my dad's family. My granddaddy was a Minister all over Arkansas. I was nine when he died but even at 69 have wonderful memories of him. He baptized me when I was a baby.
Hi! As an Arkansas native, I really wish you had included the Cotter Spring in your video. It's a huge spring beside the bridge. It's a summer gathering place for swimming and picnics.
Not sure what part of the country you're from, but I'm visiting my Mum (who moved here with work, she's an R.N.) in Arkadelphia, Ark. We're from St Catharines, Ont., so going from urban to rural has been quite a shock, eh. I can say this about the people of Arkansas... they are very friendly, outgoing, laid back. The state is actually going through a growth spurt, especially in the NW region, Little Rock... Companies like US Steel, Georgia Pacific, Walmarts, among others are investing billions across the state. In fact, if you look at the map, the area you're in now will soon have an interstate (I-555) going through it within the next several years to connect Bentonville with I-55 in the Eastern part of the state. There's good and bad with growth. Arkansas will lose some of its rustic charm, and real estate is already increasing in value. There's a new interstate in the Southwest part of the state (I-69), and I-49 along the Western part of Ark. One thing you'll start to see is smaller towns like this start to increase in population, this is already happening in NWA. Progress is necessary, I suppose, but its good that you took this video now for remembering how things were. In 5 years, it will be different. Thanks for posting this... if you get into Southern Ontario, message me, we'll meet up for a good lunch or supper 🙂🇨🇦❤
@@karladanielshooper2622 Yes, very much so, thank-you 😊 My Mum lives in Manchester Twp., so as you know, its out in the country, nice and peaceful. Everyone here has been truly terrific ❤🥰
@@billfarley9167 Yeah, I hear that a lot from my relatives out in The Prairies... Ont. is and has been a hot mess. Mum left because the cost of living just got to be too much, now that we've been here, I can see why. Speaking of Sask., myself and a few other friends, one of whom is a close friend of Mr. Wall have tried to talk him into a run for Tory leadership, take a shot at running for PM. Let's face it, as long as Trudeau is on Sussex, we're all screwed. Let's pray an election is called soon...
Thank you for making these really great videos! I really enjoy seeing these places most people will never even hear of and your details are very informative!
I was born in Bradford, Arkansas located in the northeastern region of the state and my sister and dad were born in Batesville They are both simply gorgeous! I was raised in North Central Texas about 100 miles southwest of Dallas. When I went to Bradford back in 2001 the population of Bradford was 803 and I asked my mom if I was born in a shack or something because a population that small didn't have a hospital! She said that there was a little clinic there in 1971. LoL. I am always amazed at how big the trees are compared to the trees in Texas. As soon as you cross the state line the trees look more like shrubs! LoL
Something very unique about the area you were in is the giraffe houses and buildings. They look like giraffe hyde. They have a special rock outer structure. The rock is called sandstone or flagstone. The perticular style and rock makeup is only found in an area of the Ozarks. You will see houses and buildings in Northwest North central Northeast Arkansas and Southern Missouri. During the depression the government sent out flyers with the instructions to quarry the rock and use it as a building material. The ancient seas left deposits of the rock and local quarries popped up and provided the stone. There are many of them in this video.
I love the "Depression Rock" (as they are called by alot of Old Timers) homes. Every town I have visited in Arksnsas has at least a few, and I would love to return and photograph them all for a book.
