See anyone you know?These beautiful kids attended Mrs. Joe Knox's kindergarten class in 1954.  In 1967 they were graduating from Searcy High School and this congratulations page must have come from Mrs. Knox because it was in the advertising section.  1967 is important to me because that is when I arrived in Searcy.  After so many years, I can see some of the kids in this picture that I know as adults.  See if you can find a future Arkansas First Lady in this group!Style?  Plaids were in!  Girls wore dresses and they had short hair.  And I love the two girls on the back row with perfect rows of buttons on their dresses.  I have done blogs before about the lovely Mrs. Knox so just google her and you'll see more interesting history. 01/23/2019

Christmas is over!  Business is back!  I'm glad.          But while looking through some of my old things, I came across this picture.  Searcy Board of REALTORS used to be called White Woodruff Co BOARD of REALTORS.  I became President in 1989 and it was still called White - Woodruff Co but shortly after that the club was renamed Searcy Board of REALTORS.  That was a good change and it was also easier to write.  Woodruff County and White County had been dropped and we used the city name of Searcy.          But looking at this little invitation to the annual Christmas awards banquet made me think again about how things have changed.  We would never have to hand draw an invitation now.  We'd whip it out on the computer.   I suspect that I was the artist on this one but not the one who wro... 01/14/2019

This is Old Blue.We assume that Old Blue was a real favorite cow of Dr. J. D. Patterson's.  Dr. Patterson lived in Searcy, was a dentist for approximately 60 years, ran a large cattle farm, and started in the 60's to crown cow's teeth   That made him famous!He appeared on "To Tell the Truth" TV show and was such a hit that he was invited to do another TV show, "What's My Line?" during the 1960's.  If you'd like to read an interesting article about him, click here.  It is an article that appeared in Three Rivers Edition to the Democrat Gazette on September 12, 2012.So the doc liked Old Blue so much that not only did he do her teeth, he had her taxidermied and added wiring so that she could light up her eyes and moo and he hung her on his fireplace wall.  Unfortunately, he died a few mont... 01/04/2019

  Where am I?That is what I thought as I drove by a big block with nothing but a big pile of dirt in the middle of it.  I did a double-take and thought and thought!  Then I remembered that there was supposed to be an apartment complex on that block made up of octagonal small houses.I even remembered when they were designed and built.  Early in my real estate career, and that was the early 1980's, a man who worked for Lightle Dobbin's Lightle Real Estate (where I started my career) was part owner and promoter of the new style small house with an octangular shape.  He was all for it and it seemed to catch on.  They were about 738 sq. ft. with comfortable living quarters.  A few were built and this apartment complex and one other complex were built in Searcy.  Looking at the aerial view ab... 12/28/2018

Boys and Girls State Members?  What year?I used to teach at Searcy High School, Searcy AR, so I remember most of these young people.  I can't read the shirts but I think they were the Boys and Girls State members who got to go to the state meeting and possibly run for office and get a real taste for leadership.  It would be fun for them to perhaps check in and let us know what is going on in their lives.  I remember that my son, Paul, was a selected member one year and these were friends.  He may have taken the picture because our historic courthouse is in the background and he was big on photography at the time. 12/23/2018

A heavy snow in Spring Park, Searcy AR?This is a post card that is on ebay right now asking for a buyer.  I have not seen this card before and chances are the Searcy Sleuths have not seen it either.  It shows the old library that was in Spring Park.  It has been replaced with a bigger, nicer library but I do remember this building.  My kids loved going there and so did I.  There is no date on the card but it just shows that a heavy snow back then (or is it ice?) was fascinating then as it is now.  Perhaps our library needs this card for their history?If you'd like a good view of the old library, click here to see another blog with the picture. 11/29/2018

OK, Searcy Sleuths, here's a new one!  What happened to the O.K. Taxi and Cafe that was operating in Searcy AR in 1951. This photo was in the 1951 Harding Petit Jean and shows a couple beside a cab with the advertisement saying they were enjoying a coke in the friendly atmosphere of the O.K. Cafe.  It seems to be  on the Harding campus but it says the Taxi would take you anywhere in town.I have looked through lots of yearbooks because I love the ads in the back.  The ads are now historic and remind us of a Searcy AR many years back.  I can understand that in 1951 there were probably lots and lots of students with no transportation and needed rides.  It appears that this was a new business advertisement and the business must not have lasted very long.  So, Sleuths, do you have any intere... 11/16/2018

      This is an unbelievably beautiful home that is now on the market in Searcy AR.  REALTORS toured it this morning and we came away in a state of awe because it is so lovely and so well maintained.  When I noticed that it was on the market my memories came back.  I had done a blog on that particular address because there was a historic home that had been moved to that location from East Race Street within the past 50 years.  Here is the picture from that blog.      The picture for that blog was taken in 2010.  Click here to read the blog.  The house was once located on E Race in Searcy and it was a big moving job to get it to its present location in the country.        The great thing is that the home still stands;  it has been made even more beautiful and the owners appreciate its h... 11/14/2018

Remember this popular grocery store?It is no longer standing but it is a fond memory for so many Searcy folks.  This picture was in the 1972 Harding Petit Jean and it brings back so many memories.  Volkswagens!  They were loved and so many people had them.  Most of them may be in other countries now but still running.Coke signs!  One at the top and three across the front.  They are now collectibles, I believe.Go Hogs!  The Angels were loyal supporters of the Hogs!  But also of the Lions because the next picture is of the Searcy Lions.  And how about the Indian?  Look at the price of groceries!  I am not sure what "Self " Serve meant at that time but we now know that we have "self serve" almost everywhere now.  Most of the large stores now have no one to help you find anything.The hours ... 11/14/2018

Bee Rock, Searcy ARKTempted?  Yes, I am tempted to try to buy this old post card that is on ebay right now.  I have never seen a postcard featuring  Bee Rock in Searcy, Arkansas.  Yes, I have heard of Bee Rock, and I remember warning my kids NOT to go to that spot and try climbing rocks.  I have, unfortunately, heard of deaths and accidents happening at Bee Rock so perhaps it is time to discuss Bee Rock on this blog or on facebook.  Can you, Searcy Sleuths, provide more information about this place just outside Searcy AR?  Let's hear about Bee Rock. 11/04/2018

Searcy Daily Citizen 1929I bought this picture at a recent estate sale.  I guess I'm a sucker for old pictures.  This one was framed and on the back of the frame were the names of the picture's people.  It may be hard to figure out who is who and what they are near because we probably don't have linotype operators and job press anymore.  But here goes.Seal Winston and W. E. Boyce, linotype operators.Coat on - Acreman JohnsonJamie JonesMrs. J. J. BaughW. E. Harlan at job pressCruce with cap and glassesJoe Cook by pressPicture taken late 1929    10/23/2018

A happy child at Harmony.Working in real estate brings new friends.  My blog has several Searcy Sleuths as neighbors who help me track Searcy news, myths, and history.  They also provide great pictures for sharing.  The above picture comes as a result of my trying to track the history of 9.26 acres of land at Harmony.  "Where's that?"  You may ask and I admit I did the same.   Harmony is just a few short miles from Center Hill on Highway 305 headed toward Romance.  Clifton Wiggs owns the land and it is for sale right now.  Harmony was once a thriving community and he and his family lived there.  He rode a bus to Searcy Schools and planned at one time to retire at Harmony and build a house on his land.  Plans change. There were at least two churches at Harmony.  He sent this picture of h... 10/22/2018

 A BEAUTIFUL STORYOnce upon a time there was a little blonde girl who was about 5 years old AND she was still a thumb-sucker.  The little blonde girl's mom and dad begged and pleaded and threatened but it did no good.  She went to bed at night and loved that thumb.BUT, the little blond girl watched TV and saw a new doll advertised.  The new doll had hair that grew!  A doll with hair that could be long or short and was controlled by the doll's owner.  The little blonde girl HAD to have that doll!The begging and pleaded was reversed.  Now the little blonde girl was the one doing the begging and pleading.  So Mom and Dad made a bargain with her.  If she would stop that thumb sucking they would buy her the doll.  It was a Crissy doll!  The original one may have been a Tressy but the hair wa... 10/17/2018

Our blog buddy, Anita Hart Fuller, has just been shocked when a friend of hers brought out this old item.  She, of course, wants to share it with all of our Searcy Sleuths.  She said the friend said it was an old iron which operated with gasoline!Gasoline!  No wonder I never saw one of these at my mother's home.  She would have considered this thing too dangerous to operate.....plus there was probably no place to get white gasoline which is what the friend said it used.  I believe the friend reported that you turned on the gas and there was water in the cavity shown at the bottom so the gasoline heated the iron and water and made steam ironing a breeze.So, Sleuths, share what you know about this thing!  Did they explode?  Are they still used? 10/16/2018

Note this parade, dated 1949, going beside what is now Quattlebaum Music building.  Streets were brick, and the building seemed to have a drive up or walk up window for food and drinks.  How things have changed.  Here is the 2018 picture of that building.The building has been decorated with a mural that is bright, cheerful, and is designed to make us remember singers and songs that are special to Arkansas and Searcy.  Searcy has a new group of leaders who value art and who want to make Searcy AR attractive to visitors and those who live here.  This mural was partially paid for by Marla Duncan, shown in the dress in the picture above, who was honored at a dedication ceremoney on October 5, 2018 which dedicated the wall to her late husband, Montie Duncan, who lived in and loved Searcy all... 10/06/2018

Photo logos?Another interesting find from an old safe that was purchased by Central Arkansas Lock and Safe, owned by Jody Travis in Searcy, were envelopes or checks or statements with the pictures of the business in the corner.  At that time an envelope just had to say a name and Searcy, Arkansas (and if mailed in the city you could probably leave off Arkansas) and it got delivered to the right person.I have been aware of the bottom two businesses but not the top one.  Southerland Lumber Company is a new one for me.  I am sure the Searcy Sleuths will give us information about it. The dates on these were in the early 1930's.The Historical Society has accepted the collection for their archives so perhaps they will live on and on and on.Click here for the last blog regarding this unusual f... 09/25/2018

Central Arkansas Lock and Safe is the name of the firm owned by a great locksmith, Jody Travis, and the source of some interesting information regarding history in Searcy AR and White County.  He buys old safes.  They are a challenge for him.  He unlocks them and they may have not been opened for years and years.He just unlocked one and asked if I'd like to see the contents.  OF COURSE I WOULD!  He googled what he'd found in the paper work,  Pershing Highway Service Station, and our blog popped up and that is what made him think I'd be interested.  Plus, he is the one I call when I need a locksmith and he already knew me.The safe is full of old ledgers, old paperwork, and things regarding the filling station that was on Main Street across from the historic Methodist Church.The letter ab... 09/22/2018

Searcy AR Junior Auxiliary Early 70'sJunior Auxiliary was started in Searcy AR in 1960 with a concession stand at the American Legion Park so that youngsters would not have to cross a highway to get a coke.  In 1965 the Auxiliary helped begin the Sunshine School.  Many ladies have been members and members were required to work a minimum of 72 hours per year with the projects done by JA.   It was a fun and hard-working organization.Looking back at some pictures (Yes, the Daily Citizen used to do great full page features of groups.) I came across these, along with several others.  I love the interesting things about the members. So I called this blog Big Hair and Short Skirts.  The top pictures shows very short skirts and please do note that the Citizen made a mistake on their left to rig... 09/17/2018

Historic Searcy AR building for sale.This building at 118 and 120 N Spruce in Searcy Arkansas has appeared as a newly listed for sale property.   It says the building was built 1n 1884!  That's a long time ago!  The information also says that it was once Moye Mercantile but it does not say what Moye Mercantile was.Lots of pictures are given of the interior and they are quite interesting.  So, Searcy Sleuths, wake up, look at the pictures and give us some history about this building if you know things about it.  MLS # 18029055 and the property is listed by Tish Pace with RE/MAX Advantage.   09/11/2018

You think photobombing is new?Not new at all.  I could not help laughing as I stumbled across this picture from the past.  Big sister is talking on what?  The old style phone, probably rotary, that had a special little sitting place just for phone visiting.  The books are phone books.  We could look up numbers and dialing took so long we really needed a place to sit down and wait.  Big sis's fashion is interesting too.  Remember the puffy short sleeves with long sleeves underneath.  The pants had to be long enough to drag the ground and this sis's legs were long, she was thin, and the bought pants didn't fit so lots of moms, including this one, had to make the pants.  And yes, long hair was a must back then but evidently ironing out the curl was not yet a must.  Things have changed.  Th... 09/01/2018