Photographer who documented Bella Vista died 60 years ago
Sixty years ago today, Aug. 10, 1956, Lillian Green died.
Lillian was a major contributor to the history of Bella Vista, as reflected by a permanent exhibit in her honor at the the Bella Vista Historical Museum.
In addition to being secretary to C.A. Linebarger, one of the Linebarger brothers who opened the Lake Bella Vista summer resort in 1917, Lillian became a self-taught professional photographer, using her camera to document many of the scenes around Bella Vista in the 1940s and early 1950s. She sold her photos to national jigsaw manufacturers, magazines, and companies that produced calendars and greeting cards. She became so skilled that she is reported to have won the Kodak Southeastern U.S. Photographer Award of the Year in the late 1940s, which earned her a trip to Chicago.
She lived in a home owned by C.A. Linebarger across the road from the southern end of Lake Bella Vista. After she fell ill and moved to live with a sister in Oregon, her home was converted for other uses and eventually taken down to be replaced by the building that is now Hampton Place.
She was only 53 when she died of a brain tumor. She was buried in Oregon, although several of her family members, including her parents, Thomas and Belle Green, are buried in the Dug Hill Cemetery.
Visitors are welcome to the museum to view all the exhibits representing the past 100 years of Bella Vista History. Located at U.S. Highway 71 and Kingsland Road, next to the American Legion, the museum is open noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, with free admission. For more information, see www.bellavistamuseum.org or check out the museum’s Facebook page.
Morrow speaks at Museum
In addition to collection baseball memorabilia, Steve Morrow has collected stories about some of the sport’s most colorful characters.
On Sunday, Morrow discussed his collection and shared some of his stories during a session at the Bella Vista Historical Museum, which currently has some of Morrow’s collection on display.
His collection and stories focus on golden age of baseball — the 1950s through the 1970s.
Some members of the audience brought their own memorabilia and stories to share, including two young fans who displayed their prized baseball from the 2015 World Series won by the Kansas City Royals.
A portion of Morrow’s collection will be on display through the end of September.
The free museum, which located at the corner of U.S. Highway 71 and Kingsland Road, next door to the American Legion, is open noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
Xyta Lucas is a docent at the Bella Vista Historical Museum, located near the corner of U.S. 71 and Kingsland Road, next to the American Legion. Visitors are welcome from noon to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, see www.bellavistamuseum.org or check us out on Facebook.