Tidbit in time

First business block in Malvern was what is now Front Street, facing the tracks

First dry goods store owned by Mr. S. W. Smith, Front Street

First ten- cent store, “The Racket Store”, Front Street

First saloon, “The Blighted Hope”, Front Street

First hotel, operated by Mr. Sigmund, built on the other side of the track

First livery stable, G. W. Floyd

First incorporated as a town, 1873- 1876, several attempts

First Mayor, Mr. Samuel Emerson, 1877

First doctor’s office on Main Street, Dr. Reamey, true saddle bag doctor of his day

First law office on Main Street, Mr. E. H. Vance, Attorney- at- Law

First bank, Bank of Malvern, 1889

First bad fire, July 1896, half of Malvern burned - including the fire truck!

First brick sidewalk “remains” can still be seen 3rd and Main Street

First picture show, “Darnell’s Theater” owned by Mr. Darnell

First Airdrome, walls – no roof, open air theater

First “Popcorn Man” – Johnny Wharton, served popcorn with a smile at airdrome

First light plant, owned and operated by Mr. Charley Turner about 1900

First telephone exchange, E. H. Frisby

First “Hello” girl for the telephone exchange was Addie Noble

First telephone company, Southwestern Bell, July 1, 1911

First piped gas to Malvern, Arkansas Louisiana Gas, 1911

First cars came to Malvern, 1912- 1913, took 3 hours to come from Little Rock

First electric plant, Arkansas Power & Light born in Malvern, 1913

First water supplied to Malvern, August, 1920

First Hot Spring County Hospital, 1929

This Tidbit in Time shared by the Hot Spring County Historical Society, The Heritage, Vol. 2, p. 1- 6