I learned about the park long before it became a park. It was partially owned by members of my family (Longino). The owners also owned a Drug Store in Magnolia (Longino, Goode, and Lyle Pharmacy) where my father was a pharmacist until he died in 1957. I spent a lot of time there while in the Boy Scouts and after they left, I used to hunt and fish there on a regular basis. Before it became a State Park, numerous youngsters would go there to swim in the small lake and basically "party". They were well on their way to trashing the place. I was even responsible for draining the pond as to remove one of the attractions which would draw youngsters to swim and party. Once Hugh Longino made the deal with the State, I went out there and one of the first park rangers took me on a tour of the park. While we were wandering around, I ended up showing him a few things. I showed him a couple of springs he was unaware of. It was only after we finished the "tour" that I told him who I was and he understood how I was so familiar with the area. It's a beautiful place and well worth a visit.
Wow!! Thank you so much for sharing your story and your connection with the park! I bet you have some amazing memories growing up there. It's definitely a southern Arkansas favorite!! ❤
@@ArkieTravels Amazing stories? You mean like when I was bow hunting and saw a panther (cougar, mountain lion, whatever...but it was jet black) about 50 yds from my stand? or like it being the only place I have ever seen a coral snake in the wild?
Great overview of this park. We had no idea this was around👍. Nicely done!
It's such a cool park...definitely a southern Arkansas favorite!!
I learned about the park long before it became a park. It was partially owned by members of my family (Longino). The owners also owned a Drug Store in Magnolia (Longino, Goode, and Lyle Pharmacy) where my father was a pharmacist until he died in 1957. I spent a lot of time there while in the Boy Scouts and after they left, I used to hunt and fish there on a regular basis. Before it became a State Park, numerous youngsters would go there to swim in the small lake and basically "party". They were well on their way to trashing the place. I was even responsible for draining the pond as to remove one of the attractions which would draw youngsters to swim and party. Once Hugh Longino made the deal with the State, I went out there and one of the first park rangers took me on a tour of the park. While we were wandering around, I ended up showing him a few things. I showed him a couple of springs he was unaware of. It was only after we finished the "tour" that I told him who I was and he understood how I was so familiar with the area. It's a beautiful place and well worth a visit.
Wow!! Thank you so much for sharing your story and your connection with the park! I bet you have some amazing memories growing up there. It's definitely a southern Arkansas favorite!! ❤
@@ArkieTravels Amazing stories? You mean like when I was bow hunting and saw a panther (cougar, mountain lion, whatever...but it was jet black) about 50 yds from my stand? or like it being the only place I have ever seen a coral snake in the wild?
@@reb1050 Whoa. 😳