Journey to Forester offers glimpse of past
Outdoor writer and photographer Corbet Deary is featured regularly in The Sentinel-Record. Today, Deary takes readers on a journey to Forester.
I recently began to ponder how things have changed, upon driving alongside a house under construction. The thought occurred that simple, straight-gabled roofs are a thing of the past.
The roofs of new homes are steep and complicated with ridgelines going in various directions. The finish of the exterior walls is far more detailed than the houses where those of us who are middle-aged grew up. Windows are certainly more efficient. And as for the structures where our parents and grandparents cut their teeth, the contrast is even greater.
Step inside and the change is even more obvious. Bathrooms are indoors and lavish. And the kitchens? Well, the sky seems to be the limit. In fact, I’ll step out on a limb and suggest that kitchens are the most costly of an entire building project.
We’re talking extravagant cabinets and countertops, the most up-to-date appliances and a plethora of gadgetry that is touted as necessities.
However, in spite of the changes that have transformed as a result of ever- growing technology and the mindset of today’s society, these new structures do have one thing in common with the plain and simpler homes of yesteryear.
I’m talking about their very backbone. It matters not if you refer to a simple one- room structure as home, or if you reside in a mansion. Of course, there are some exceptions. But few are the homes that could have been constructed without access to lumber.
That all being said, lumber is pretty easy to come by. In fact, pretty much anybody reading this article is less than an hour from a lumberyard or home improvement center. And many of us can literally be there within minutes.
Judging from these businesses’ stock, I think it would be safe to say that the logging industry has also benefited from a growing technology. Harvesting and transporting trees to the mill is far more efficient now than ever.
Many of the large sawmills have been automated. As a result, their capabilities have improved drastically. And the smaller mills? I would suspect many of those lacking the funds to keep up with the times simply cannot compete. And sadly enough, I would suspect that many of the small operations have been forced to shut their doors.
Although an ever- growing technology has certainly had an impact on how we approach things today, I still have a great admiration for an era and the men who harvested, transported and milled timber by the sweat of their brow.
Don’t get me wrong; many of those in this particular occupation, today, are still no stranger to a hard day’s work. But I suspect that they, too, would be quick to admit that their jobs are far less dangerous and physically demanding than they were generations ago.
I suppose that’s why I find destinations such as Forester so intriguing. Situated in the midst of the Ouachita National Forest, the logging town was a happening place back in the day. And although it eventually dwindled and went back to nature, its remnants have been preserved.
My wife, Sandy, and I recently embarked upon a drive to the location where the town once stood. To see the site was intriguing. Although no structures are left standing, I tried to draw a mental picture of what the town might have looked like, judging from the weathered concrete pillars and foundations that remained on the premises and within a stone’s throw of a long and narrow pond.
However, the information posted on the kiosk beside the pavilion proved most helpful in our journey back in time.
According to the information posted at the site and what I learned via the internet, it all began in 1930 when the Scott County town was founded and built by Thomas Whitaker Rosborough.
Owned by The Caddo River Lumber Company, Forester was self- contained. However, a prominent businessman, from nearby Waldron, originally wanted the mill built in his town.
But according to http://www. encyclopediaofarkansas. net, upon learning that a portion of Rosborough’s workforce would be African Americans, he supported the milling town’s chosen location. In fact, he played a role in extending the railroad from his town to Forester.
The logging town turned out to be a huge success. In fact, they eventually grew into the most productive mill throughout the entire state. Forester sported a lumber shed spanning 80 feet wide and stretching 1,000 feet in length. In turn, they had the capacity to store literally millions of board feet of lumber.
Forester provided work for many during an era of America’s history when times were hard and work was not so easy to find. Of course, things improved throughout the country following the Great Depression, but one would suspect that the jobs it produced were cherished.
The town’s population had grown to 1,306 by 1940. It was laid out in sections. The main part of town was referred to as Green Town. Angel Town was the second-largest section while Canon Town, Water Tank Road and Happy Holler were smaller.
Although one would suspect that the African American manpower working at the mill was equally as important as their fellow workers, Forester was not immune to segregation. In turn, the African Americans residing in the town were expected to live in their own section. The rustic, red houses they called home were situated in a section known as “the Quarters.”
Forester residents had access to pretty much any necessity they might need. The Caddo River Lumber Company provided housing, a theater, post office, a drugstore, a beauty shop and a company store.
Folks could worship at the town church on Sunday mornings. And children attended school at forester throughout the week. One would suspect that the ballpark was enjoyed by many and the company covered free health care for all.
Black residents had their own school, church and entertainment center. However, they shared the store, post office and theater with the white residents.
Contractors logged the area via teams of mules and wagons for the first 10 years of the mill’s operation. But in 1940, the company purchased trucks. As logging continued, the largest timber was eventually harvested, and the Caddo River Lumber Company eventually sold the mill to Dierks Lumber and Coal in 1945.
The mill continued to run under the supervision of the new owners until 1952, when the supply of logs became insufficient for a mill of its size.
Although having served an important role, Forester had served its purpose. And in turn, portions of the town were sold and moved, while others were torn down.
Nearly 70 years have since transpired since folks called the town of Forester home. However, the remnants of its existence are still visible today. And I suspect the remnants of this little logging town are more than enough to beckon my return in the future.
To get to Forester from Hot Springs, Take Highway 270 west 15.5 miles past Mount Ida and take a right onto Forest Road 33. Travel 1.9 miles on the dirt road and veer left to remain on Forest Road 33. Travel 6.5 miles on the route and take a right at the four-way intersection. Travel a short distance, take yet another left at the Forester sign and the destination will be on the right.