Faulkner
Member
My wife and I hosted a four day motorcycle tour through the Arkansas Ozarks recently. Back in the winter a long time buddy from Atlanta reached out to me and said he and his wife wanted to ride his Honda Goldwing to Arkansas and asked me if I'd play tour guide for a few days. During the planning phase we invited another buddy and his wife from Memphis to hop on their Harley and come along.
Just thought I'd share a few of the highlights from the trip. If you don't like reading other people's trip reports you can back out now.
One of the unique stops along the way was the Fifty-Six Country Store in downtown Fifty-Six, Arkansas. 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). As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 173, an increase of 10 persons from 2000.
Another out of the way spot we stopped at for an ice cold Dr. Pepper in a glass bottle was the Gilbert General Store in Gilbert, Arkansas. The population was 28 at the 2010 census, ranking it as one of the smallest municipalities in the state and nation. Over the years, Gilbert has gained a reputation as one of the coldest locations in Arkansas. The Gilbert General Store, built in 1901, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places under the name Mays Store. The community was founded in 1902 when a railroad construction camp for the Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad was built and named in honor of Charles W. Gilbert, secretary-treasurer of Allegheny Supply Company, which was building the railroad. Gilbert was a hub for commerce. Cotton, logs, ore and grain came by rail and was eventually the home to a repair shop for the railroad, which ceased operation in 1946.
I usually lean towards historic places of interest to see when we're out touring the country by motorcycle. War Eagle Mill is one of those places that has a long history of operation deep in the Ozark Mountains. A mill has been located on the site as early as 1832, but was destroyed three times, and last rebuilt in 1973.
Sylvanus and Cathryn Blackburn moved to the War Eagle Valley in 1832 and built a mill next to War Eagle Creek. In 1848 a flood pushed the mill into the river, washing it downstream and completely destroying it. The Blackburns rebuilt the mill and expanded it to include a sawmill. After 1860, with the Civil War looming, northwest Arkansas residents were caught between strongly Confederate Arkansans to the south and Union-supporting Missourians just a few miles north. The Blackburns' five sons enlisted in the Confederate Army, while the Blackburns took the rest of their family to Texas, returning four years later. In 1862, the Union Army moved into northern Arkansas and the War Eagle Valley, and used the mill to grind grain. As the Confederate Army advanced into the area, the Union Army concentrated near Pea Ridge, Arkansas. Confederate soldiers used the mill for two days, but burned it down to prevent it being used again by the Union. After the Battle of Pea Ridge, the surrounding country was laid waste by the retreating Confederates and bands of looters. Many residents abandoned their homesteads and fled. After the war ended in 1865, the Blackburn family returned to find only their house still standing. Sylvanus' son, James Austin Cameron (J.A.C.) Blackburn, reconstructed the mill again by 1873.
One of my favorite places in Arkansas is the small community of Beaver, Arkansas, on the White River. Spanning the White River in Beaver is the Beaver Bridge, a historic suspension bridge carrying Arkansas Highway 187 over the White River. Built in 1949 the structure is the only suspension bridge open to traffic in Arkansas. We often stop on the west side of the bridge under the shade for a break before we cross over the bridge. I'm telling you, crossing a one lane wooden decked suspension bridge on a motorcycle can be pretty exhilarating, especially the first time.
I recommend a visit to the Walmart Museum in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas if ever in the area. My riding campanions questioned this stop on our itenerary, but it turns out they all really enjoyed it and found it very informative. Plus admission is free. Pictured below is Mr. Sam's office as it was found at the time of his death. Nothing fancy, just functional for the richest man in the world at that time. Not shown in the picture was his Remington 1100 28 guage pheasant gun leaning in the corner.
Just thought I'd share a few of the highlights from the trip. If you don't like reading other people's trip reports you can back out now.
One of the unique stops along the way was the Fifty-Six Country Store in downtown Fifty-Six, Arkansas. 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). As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 173, an increase of 10 persons from 2000.
Another out of the way spot we stopped at for an ice cold Dr. Pepper in a glass bottle was the Gilbert General Store in Gilbert, Arkansas. The population was 28 at the 2010 census, ranking it as one of the smallest municipalities in the state and nation. Over the years, Gilbert has gained a reputation as one of the coldest locations in Arkansas. The Gilbert General Store, built in 1901, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places under the name Mays Store. The community was founded in 1902 when a railroad construction camp for the Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad was built and named in honor of Charles W. Gilbert, secretary-treasurer of Allegheny Supply Company, which was building the railroad. Gilbert was a hub for commerce. Cotton, logs, ore and grain came by rail and was eventually the home to a repair shop for the railroad, which ceased operation in 1946.
I usually lean towards historic places of interest to see when we're out touring the country by motorcycle. War Eagle Mill is one of those places that has a long history of operation deep in the Ozark Mountains. A mill has been located on the site as early as 1832, but was destroyed three times, and last rebuilt in 1973.
Sylvanus and Cathryn Blackburn moved to the War Eagle Valley in 1832 and built a mill next to War Eagle Creek. In 1848 a flood pushed the mill into the river, washing it downstream and completely destroying it. The Blackburns rebuilt the mill and expanded it to include a sawmill. After 1860, with the Civil War looming, northwest Arkansas residents were caught between strongly Confederate Arkansans to the south and Union-supporting Missourians just a few miles north. The Blackburns' five sons enlisted in the Confederate Army, while the Blackburns took the rest of their family to Texas, returning four years later. In 1862, the Union Army moved into northern Arkansas and the War Eagle Valley, and used the mill to grind grain. As the Confederate Army advanced into the area, the Union Army concentrated near Pea Ridge, Arkansas. Confederate soldiers used the mill for two days, but burned it down to prevent it being used again by the Union. After the Battle of Pea Ridge, the surrounding country was laid waste by the retreating Confederates and bands of looters. Many residents abandoned their homesteads and fled. After the war ended in 1865, the Blackburn family returned to find only their house still standing. Sylvanus' son, James Austin Cameron (J.A.C.) Blackburn, reconstructed the mill again by 1873.
One of my favorite places in Arkansas is the small community of Beaver, Arkansas, on the White River. Spanning the White River in Beaver is the Beaver Bridge, a historic suspension bridge carrying Arkansas Highway 187 over the White River. Built in 1949 the structure is the only suspension bridge open to traffic in Arkansas. We often stop on the west side of the bridge under the shade for a break before we cross over the bridge. I'm telling you, crossing a one lane wooden decked suspension bridge on a motorcycle can be pretty exhilarating, especially the first time.
I recommend a visit to the Walmart Museum in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas if ever in the area. My riding campanions questioned this stop on our itenerary, but it turns out they all really enjoyed it and found it very informative. Plus admission is free. Pictured below is Mr. Sam's office as it was found at the time of his death. Nothing fancy, just functional for the richest man in the world at that time. Not shown in the picture was his Remington 1100 28 guage pheasant gun leaning in the corner.
Last edited:
