Author: ozarkstory

Doris Brown

Springdale, Ar.

This photo is of my children’s great grandmother, standing beside her 7’ tall okra.
Her parents migrated to Springdale from Germany in the early 1900’s, making my children a 5th. generation to the area.
I, with my 2/yo son, moved to Springdale in ‘75 after marrying her grandson. Grandma S. immediately accepted both of us, treating us with the same love she gave for the entire family.
Grandma grew up during the great depression, learning how to stretch a dollar and her cooking vessel in ways I had never seen. One of the dearest things to her heart was her gardens, both vegetable and flower.
It was through her that I learned the value of our soil. Teaching me how to plant, care for, harvest, can, make jellies and to beautify my yard and home all with fruits, vegetables and flowers she had grown.
I know she would be thrilled to know that I have passed this appreciation and tradition on to my daughter who in turn is teaching to her daughters.
This picture brings back a flood of memories from my time spent with her. She taught me so much about love, life, church and family that I will be forever grateful for.
To me the Ozarks is about family, time spent with them making precious memories along the way.

Jamie Nix

Bentonville, AR

My best friend, Devyn Dunyon, had her first born baby in the Ozarks in 2019. This little star’s name is Ridley Jo.

Jenny Walker

Pea Ridge, AR

The Ozarks are alive with people who choose to participate in a living history of the area. This picture is of a pair of friends who travel the country suspending time while allowing a glimpse into life as lived in the 1860’s. Pea Ridge Cival War enactment 2019

Jennifer Keith

unknown

I wish I could remember exactly where this was, though I am fairly sure it was somewhere in Washington County. I met a small group of friends back in 2006 to explore the cave shown in this photo. I had never done any spelunking before, but one of my companions had visited this location on multiple previous occasions, so we knew it was safe, if still a good adventure. Entering the cave involved climbing down into a small hole. Once inside, the cavern opened up and we had plenty of room to walk around and explore. There were plenty of areas within the cave to walk without damaging the structure of the cave. We emerged a few hours later, crawling through a stream to come out the other side, soaked but exhilarated. This was an ultimate Ozark adventure for me as the area is full of interesting caves which are home to many unique species of creatures.

Marsha Hunt

Wayton, AR

The smoke house ! Every house had one up on Wayton mountain where my grandparents lived. I remember hog days – not my favorite time- going from house to house, of course the women and girls did not help at first that came later. The men took care of killing and dressing the hog. I think this is why everyone had a large tree around their house just to hang meat from. Once the hog the was dressed and butchered then into that smoke house it went. Oh the taste of farm raised, house smoked pork is unlike anything you can buy. The first time my husband had mountain smoked meat he was not a fan. oh to have the chance to have that on my plate now………

Marsha Hunt

Wayton, AR

Even though my great Aunt has been gone for many years there is still evidence of her hard work with jars of canned vegis. a glance of the past and the memories that flood in with that picture.