Rural ARKANSAS: Odd, Sad Small Towns Far Off The Interstate
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- Опубліковано 13 гру 2022
- I visited rural central North Arkansas, an area of the state filled with unique small towns.
Arkansas towns visited:
Calico Rock
East Calico Rock
Big Flat
Marshall
Yellville
Cotter
Travel Vlog 177
I’ve lived in calico rock my whole life. The reason the population dropped according to the census is because the town stopped counting the population of the inmates housed in the prison at calico. There is around 800 inmates in that prison
I was developing all these theories for the population drop, and then read your comment. Now I know.............👍
Thank ypu
Does our country have the highest prison population in the world?
So glad you said this! It would’ve never occurred to me.
@@1andtheOnly No. Russia has.
My wife used to ask me to take the back roads all the time. We found some pretty beautiful places off the beaten path. She passed away 4 years ago, and I don't go driving much anymore. thank you for the memories in your videos.
Use to be nice. Everything looks dirty now.
Sorry for your loss. Precious memories are such a blessing from God. I hope you find joy in your memories and in knowing that one day you and your dear wife will be reunited again. She's not long gone, just on the other side where there is no evil or sorrow. Peacefully living.
Awesome. Thank you for the comment.
Jeff, you should go driving as a honor to your wife and the memories youall shared. Im sure her spirit would grow close as you drove. Its therapy.
My Wife and I use to get off the beatin path while traveling. Due to her health we no longer travel. We've seen alot though and have fond memories of the places we've been.
I just moved to Arkansas, I have moved around this country my whole life. I have never meet people that are so friendly and helpful, they will stop what they are doing just to help a stranger. I will never leave here I found my home. I can't wait to explore everything Arkansas has to offer and meet as many of these wonderful people as I can.
U must be Caucasian
Yeah, just wait until your back is turned to them but look out for daggers.
We have our hum dingers but most are really good
Hell , Be sure to check out Central Arkansas. I live in Clarksville ,& Ft.Smith is pretty close. The best parts are the Outdoors!
@@genesanford9412I live between Ft Smith and Clarksville in Ozark.
I grew up in this town. What you called East Calico we just called “old down town” and a fire destroyed a lot of it. I walked that road a lot, passing the sawmill that was very active in the day, passing Killians Feed Store, and walking across the Calico Creek bridge to go to the local library . The Main Street from the white river bridge was very active - a Saturday drawing would bring people in. The bank you showed converted to a restaurant, The Leatherwoods, which my dad go to each morning to have coffee at the liars table. It was a great place to grow up. My mom still lives there… she went to school in Big Flat.😊
May I ask what a "Saturday drawing" is?
...and I can only imagine what a
"liars table" might be. 😅
(thank you, western Canada 🇨🇦)
@@brendamiller5785 the drawing on Saturday’s was. Big deal. Sunday through Saturday morning people would buy things and earn a ticket for so much spent. The ticket would be 2 parts. One went in to a large round cage that was used in the drawing, and the shopper kept the other half. If your numbers were called, and you must me present to win, drew a lot of residents. Because so many roads were gravel coming in and out, most people shopped local and it was quite the excursion to “go to town.”
The liar’s table was at a local restaurant. The older, and some younger, men of the town would go there bright and early for breakfast and coffee. It was mainly a social thing where the local men touched base, talked about current affairs, people, family, etc. stories would of course be told and retold… thus the “liar’s table.” People of all demographics would sit at that round or rectangle table. It changed periodically. My dad was a frequent flyer at the table!
Lord Spoda, have you ever thought about interviewing some of the people who live in these towns to find out what it's like living there?
Good idea. I thought along those lines too.
Two or three passer bys might be interested , to say something interesting about their town 🤔
And , maybe asking them about the History of some of these incredible buildings . Like at 41:32 as an example . But there were many in this video IMO , before this one at 41:32 ...
I haven't seen any
He's too scared.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo 😂
Lived 45 years in Arkansas and moved to Fort Worth Texas where i am very happy, but my heart grieves for missing Arkansas so beautiful, so natural and so laid back and peaceful. Used to get in my car on some Sundays, fill my gas tank in the morning, pick a road and just keep driving stopping in some if the small towns just for a soda or a look around town. As soon as my tank was 1/4 full, Id fill up again and drive back to Little Rock. It always seemed like I was on vacation.
My Aunt lived in a rural town and lived to be 107,Arkansas living at its finest!
Hi from France 🇨🇵 I love your channel, never been to US but with you i can have a beautiful trip from my couch !
Thank you again
Awesome! Thank you! :)
I’m from California. In 1998 a friend took me to an area near Little Rock Arkansas, where we stayed for a week at a small house his family owned. He took his truck to the dealer to get his truck repaired. A day later, the dealership dropped his truck back to him at his residence. I thought that was unusual. He told me , now we have to go to the dealership and pay them. I was shocked that they gave him the truck before he paid for it. He told me things were done a lot different back there.
Not uncommon. We trust people until they prove they can’t be trusted.
@@billkaldem5099 some people may consider it naivety.
well in small towns everyone knows everyone. If you screw someone over they will come for you. lol
Damn right things are done differently we got what you would call the good old boy system I was raised in Izard County and now I live in Washington County but I wouldn't live nowhere other than Arkansas
@@waleed8530 only in blue state. Here you get to prove everyday your honest and respect others
The writer John Grisham wrote a book about a fictional baseball player from Calico Rock. His name was Calico Joe. I had never heard of Calico Rock until about 10 years ago when I hired a bluegrass band to play a concert for us. The manager is from CR and the lead of the band was featured in the movie Winter's Bone, a movie which helped Jennifer Lawrence receive her first best actress nomination. The woman I know from CR absolutely loved her home there. So please remember while many of these places strike the traveler as odd and sad, that view isn't shared by all who live there.
True I currently live in Little Rock, but am from a small sad town in Michigan named Onsted and loved growing up there!
When I saw Winter's bones I lived about 10 MI from that town Cassville where that Sheriff's Office was and there are some crazy s*** goes on around there Southwest Missouri Northwest Arkansas crank, murders , and a werewolf called Momo Rumor Has It he was a genetic experiment at science lab in Joplin now it's Crowder College State Police station and National Guard base
@@faulltw I live in Sears, MI very small town. Only business is a post office
Oh I love that movie! Very powerful and sad message there! I wonder who you’re speaking of in that movie. Just curious.
@@terrigarcia7525 I was referring to the lead singer of Blackberry Winter, a bluegrass group. Meredith is featured in a group jam in one of the houses.
The red pickup truck...reminded me of my favorite vehicle out of over 300 I've owned: 1966 Chevy C-10, Hunter green, straight 6, smoothest ride ever. I loved it so much I was drawing plans to be entombed underground in it. I lost it when I lost my home, my property, my occupation, my family, my 20 years of recorded original music and art...I learned that it's possible to marry the wrong gal. But, that was the path that got me where I am so I'm happy about it. My Mother was from Arkansas. Her Dad was a share-cropper who took his family to California during the Dust Bowl years.
Very good video, I am from Latin America and I love everything about the United States, its culture, its people and its lifestyle, thank you very much for publishing this video, it is excellent.
Thank you!
As a person that grew up northern Arkansas, I have been to all your location on the video. It is a well done video, I really enjoyed it. A couple of comments, the town of Big Flat, my reasoning is why the income is so low and living on poverty is due to the age of the residents. Most are on Social Security.
The town of Marshall, My grandparent lived there when I was a kid. They were forced to move from the farm to the big city of Marshall, due to my Grandfather age. The town in the 1960s had business on all four corners around the court house, two side (north and south) were destroyed by fire, and not sure but I believe the third (east side where the Post Office is) was also. In the 60s On the north side, every morning, a group of old men would gather and whittle pieces of cedar. From a stick to a toothpick. Don't think that they ever made any thing just whittled, told story, swapped knives and just enjoyed each other company. I learned a lot there. Most I probably shouldn't have. The people that had or have the Kenda, had a theater off the east side, before they built the drive in. There was also another theater on the south side that burned in fire.
When you scanned from below the bridge at Cotter, you missed or just didn't cover, a large creek that comes out of the mountain.
The last note, The Yellville turkey drop, was a part of a skit on the TV show "WKRP Cincinnati" as the actor Herb Tarlek (Frank Bonner) was from Arkansas.
These days I hope those towns have better fire protection (and EMS).
Very interesting. Thank you.
I remember that WKRP skit, but if I recall correctly they dropped domesticated turkeys from a plane, and the results were as you would expect from big, heavy birds that can't fly.
I was born in Arkansas, but our family moved around a lot so I also lived in lots of other states while growing up. After graduating HS I joined the service and only returned to Arkansas for visits with relatives.
❤thank you!
From flippin for a couple years. They had to stop the turkey drop for legal reasons. ASPCA threatened to sue.
As a kid, my Dad was so cheap, he would hide two of us 4 kids under a blanket in the floor while the 2 older of us would sit in the seat with our legs over them, just so he wouldn't have to pay for them when we went to the drive-in. Occasionally they would have $1.00 a carload night, and no one would have to hide. 🤣
But I loved going to the drive-in as a kid. They had a playground for kids under the big screen, and I remember loving to buy a "Chilly Dilly" (pickle) at the concession stand. 😊
It was always a flat price for the car when I attended. Made good economic sense because the space rented was but one car and the more people the better because they'd likely spend for refreshments.
My parents did that too, lol.
Every time you go to a convenient store, grab some ketchup packets so you can have free ketchup on your hotdog.
Angela Brewer tangie Brewer-Jones who does this remind yall of lmao
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣we did that too!!!!!!
I love seeing places like this
At the ages of 60 and over, we do not need the big houses, the newest things. We just want a simple life. The bills are paid, the kids are gone living their own lives, and we live that with them vicariously with the grandchildren. And we are happy with that.
That huge house at around the 21:24 mark was bought originally from Sears and Roebuck. Yes in the early 20th century you could buy the house in kit form from Sears. It was shipped by rail to it's owner, Dr. Sam G. Daniel around 1902. It was of course erected by local craftsman and finished in 1903.
Really? Wow!
My family is from here and that is true cool to think about we’re driving through history everyday
You could also order a live pet monkey fron those catalogs back then as well.
Awesome
@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ Why worry about tomorrow and what happens after death then?
As a native Arkansas of 53 years, I can tell you that there are places that are run down and old that have been neglected for many years. Mostly due to money moving around in the industries and a lot of these people just never wanted to leave their home. On the other hand, I guarantee they're not many places in the United States that look like this and yet the people are some of the most courteous, civil and generous people you will find on the planet. If I had a choice of being stuck out not knowing anyone anywhere, I guarantee you 99% of any houses doors you knock on in these areas, the people will help you out. As for Arkansas overall, I grew up being 4 hours from Dallas, 2 hours from Beale Street in Memphis, or 7 hours from the ocean. We took trips to all of those places and many more and I felt most people never had the luxury of having that much entertainment and options to visit. Most people that live on the east or west coast are sort of stuck with what's around them and not a lot of diversity but here in Arkansas, I can get to many different points of social views right around the edge of the state. In the state we have such awesome resources that go unlooked at such as camping fishing hunting and at the same time having some of the best technology in the states. Where can you go dig diamonds out of the ground for free? In arkansas! Where can you find the clearest quartz crystals in the world, in Arkansas! Where's the largest store in the world based? Arkansas Walmart! Biggest trucking companies in the world, JB Hunt Arkansas! Lithium mining for lithium batteries, in Arkansas. Who feeds a third of the world with rice? Arkansas! Who owns the Dallas cowboys? An Arkansan... how does a little state that nobody really talks about contains some of the largest companies and most important people in the world? It's because we sit at the crossroads of both sides of the country and we get to see a bird's eye view of how we either want to be or not want to be. People here have the luxury of privacy and southern hospitality that you can find nowhere else in the world. People always try to make it look like we're missing teeth, have a hound dog on the porch and no one's educated. You could not be farther from the truth. There's always some segment that does not aspire to live like the culturally appropriate people you see on TV in the big cities. People here like to roll their sleeves up and get dirty getting something done, building something, or just playing with their four-wheel drive out in the field. There's so much more I could write but the overall point of view is that people here are not different than people anywhere else we just have a different speed in life and prefer generally the more simple things in life. God and family are the most important and most people here share that same feeling. Thank you for posting this video as I personally feel it shows the perseverance of Arkansas to maintain their heritage. One day these little towns will get fixed up and they will be hot spots for people all over the world to come to.
Native Arkansan of 31 years here. I feel like Arkansas is one of the US's biggest open secrets. On paper, one of the lowest ranked states in terms of income, GDP, population, etc. But a quick look at everything that comes out of our state, and it's clearly way more significant to both the nation and the world as a whole than those number on paper would lead people to believe. People (especially from the coasts) tend to ignore or even belittle our state, but if they ever saw exactly what we contribute, I suspect they would change their minds pretty quick. As it stands though, I'm mostly fine with our state being ignored. It makes living here all the better. People are nicer here because there are less of us and we all do real work for a living. Got to have a well functioning community to exist the way Arkansans do.
Type much?
Yes there are many cities looking so deserted. You'd be surprised
I don't have time to write a book like you, but you made some false claims. I'm also a native who's lived here 37 years.
Are you from around Searcy?
Your videos make me feel like I'm on vacation. These towns you go to are so quiet and peaceful. It feels like a wonderful escape.
That is awesome. 👍😀
Nothing of either poverty or beauty should be surprising here, for this is the heart of the Arkansas Ozarks.
What I like most about these small towns is it's nice and peaceful and quiet, no graffiti no traffic jams no loud obnoxious mufflers. Another excellent video!! 👍🇨🇦
Down south when some states have them auto inspections your car has to be nice to be on the road
@@southwestndn8401 there used to be a law about loud mufflers,pipes! Now they roar down the streets, revving up the noise!! Nothing done!!
Nice landscape
I wonder how people make a living
No jobs either
I dont know if anyone else gets like this, but anytime I see anything about Arkansas, I get all excited. It's like we get so little coverage for anything that when we do it's like "omg thats my state!"
Now that you mention it, Arkansas is not known for much! Anyone not from there maybe has heard of Hot Springs National Park but other than that what else does Arkansas have to offer? Maybe walmart lol
@@NewHaven203 not much at all! Except maybe terrible schooling scores and such lol
Thanks for the clintons
Well according to the new world order, you are a fly over state.
I have lived in NC all my life, visited Arkansas twice as a child and once as an adult. But I get excited when I see something about your state! My Grandpa Cowan was born in Jethro, married a KY girl and settled in Ozark where they started their family. My Mama was the second of 7 children. Grandpa worked in stave mills. He and his brother moved their families to NC with the opening of a stave mill here. Mama was 13 yo when they moved here. She never lost her accent though! I remember different family here making trips to Ozark every year or two. I heard so many stories from both of my grandparents and Mama that I almost feel like I lived there. So many stories I loved hearing! Because of those stories I was fascinated and loved the 2 visits I remember. I thought hillbillies (my Mama's name was Billie), the razorbacks and armadillos were amazing! And the only disappointment that first trip to Ozark was when Daddy took me and my brother to buy us souvenirs from the trip and there were none of those clusters of tourist trap shops to shop in. My Razorback shirt came from Walmart. 💝Arkansas
I'm in Melbourne Australia,.There are towns like this scattered in the " outback" areas of this country ,. I love this kinda thing, almost ASMR..keep up these vids...very interesting.
i love how the usa and australia are true cousins or brothers in so many ways. Especially our western half.
So fun fact . . . Calico Rock is in Izard County, and Melbourne is the County seat! Only we pronounce it mel-burn
I currently live in Bentonville, AR and I love to get out and drive around and explore. I have found some pretty neat little road side attractions and some nice little shops in these little backwoods towns and some pretty good food too. I love history and learning about different towns and places off the beaten path. It is a good escape for me.
When you get outside of the big cities and suburbs, this is what much of America looks like: slightly run down, quaint, a little depressing, natural beauty, but a twinge of creepiness. The footage you showed doesn't look much different than rural central PA, rural Florida, rural Virginia and even rural Missouri. Yes, some states have different topography and each little town has a unique flair, but it's a very similar overall vibe. Personally, living in a place like this can trigger depressive states, but the natural beauty and slower pace of life in places like this is a good counterbalance to the overarching sadness and decay. Thanks for sharing the footage.
Looks like parts of WV I have been to and live in. There is an abandoned church near me
This is a very large country. We should spread out a little more.
I agree with you, however many American cities have substantially more decay, just in certain areas.
What I find interesting is the high poverty rates but low crime rates. Poverty does not equal crime as many politicians and others would have you believe.
WOW--- articulated to perfection!
Some vicious looking dogs!! That was pretty creepy seeing dogs popping out of nowhere! I hope your car doesn't break down otherwise "Cujo" may come after you!!! 😂😆
Being from Arkansas, I have to say, our state truly is absolutely is amazing. We have some bad spots now but we also have some absolutely beautiful places. The hills, the land. We have towns and cities that are flourishing.
I live in NC and some of these rural towns look similar to some of ours. Love small towns like these and I’m betting the people are friendlier than in the big cities.
Yeah a lot of people from California 🦋 are moving here n to the south 💜
@@abnormalynn7885 I’m from Arkansas too and yeah I’ve noticed that! I had some California friends in high school and I have a coworker from California too.
Yes we have breathtaking scenery in Arkansas! I’m from the delta and I love 💕 that we really keep our historic places! And respect the beauty that our state has! Just think about it. We have it all! The mountains, lowlands, farmland rural life and city life. Forests and amazing lakes! Like the largest natural oxbow lake in North America. We have our faults but we are also we have a great community way of thinking. The Natural State!
That’s awesome I would love to go someday 😊
I’m from London /uk I visited New York & California I love your country I’m 60 now and had a stroke in 2017 but I recovered almost back 100% health which is amazing your videos are so interesting to watch I love seeing Americas towns good and bad they are very relaxing for me I watch in my spare time keep up the good work
It's kind of surreal seeing a pretty large sized youtube channel tour my home area. One thing to note, if you're ever in the Yellville area again, I highly recommend Razorback Ribs. It's right before the Sear's Home and the court house you showcased. They are really great. Yellville has a lot of good eating in general along with many of the other place places in that area. The area you showed in this video, while some places are small or poor, the scenery is very Hallmark worthy. I wish the poverty could be fixed for those struggling, but I am thankful to have been able to experience living in such a peaceful and beautiful area. The Ozarks are truly amazing and have some of the best outdoors.
I've visited Yellville several times in the past four years. My friend Yvonne was the postmaster there for many years. It's a nice little town. Folks are friendly and the scenery is beyond amazing.
Newton co here! ❤
Black sheep barbecue 😋
@@roberthooton3979 wish they still had the pawn shop.
The population changed because they were including the prison population in with the resident population I believe. The town was a merchant area because there was a ferry that carried people from across the river and the train station is by the river. The town flooded and that is why the town became a ghost town.
I love these trips sitting on my couch thousands of miles away....
Wow, I only look at your Arkansas state because my Mother and Grand Mother were both born there in Little Rock. The family own a lot of land there, but I've never been there before. But from all I see and here abouggt Arkansas it makes me so glad my Grand Mother left there in the early 1930's.
After having lived in central Arkansas for fifty-nine years and done years of deer hunting in and around the area you are now exploring, it amazes me to see the same homes have the same yard garbage and junk since the late 1970's. That's Arkansas hill folks.
Not bad people at all, just don't much care what other's think.
I've always scratched my head at the people who have beautiful home locations in the hills but maybe 3/5 of them are trashy, junked up, or have a bus/mobile home grafted into the structure... Not that we don't see that down in the delta, too, but it seem such a waste up there.
@@alanaran1575 I know. Arkansas is a beautiful state and should be kept that way. On another pet peeve of mine is littering highways.
You give me hope of finding places like this. Thank you. As much as it hurts to leave my paid-off home here in Kalamazoo, there's only doom for anyone who continues to stay in a city.
@@jonas3333 when it comes to Arkansas pick a spot an move here just start by talking to people in town don't go up to homes most of us don't like it
@@anthonymoser46 Thanks for the advice, but I have no intention of going up to people's homes. I realize that I'll have to find people like a local butcher or provider of services like tree cutting, but I'm very wary of all people anymore after the last 2 years.
This was interesting, even though there are a lot of towns in Arkansas that are "sadder, poorer, and less prosperous" than the ones in this video. At least these towns are in a very scenic part of the state, and some of the homes shown were quite impressive. Most people living in small, rural towns like these are quite content to live there, and those types of towns are certainly not unique to Arkansas.
A lot of us seek them out
thats alot of words to describe piss poor living
In the town with the median age of 70, the low average income might be explained by a high percentage of retired people. That might also be why the town overall looked much better than the numbers might suggest.
Found your channel a few weeks ago and really love your content. I’ve been binge watching all your videos. Great stuff for all of us who love to just go out exploring America.
Awesome!
@JoeandNicsRoadTrip
I just found these last night when they showed up on UA-cam as a suggested video- well I'm from Harrisburg Arkansas and I guess Google thought I needed to see them! First ones that came up were the ones about the lost and forgotten Delts,which, those are all towns south of me and yes,it's so sad to see. Have a good friend who I was also a coworker with and she grew up in Helena.
I love this one, my husband and I have explored these hill towns and we have camped and ridden horses up at Big flat. North of Mt View which is one of the neatest towns in the state
Not so sure how the "Cougarville"comment would go over there in Yellville though- might be best that it was in a moving car
Hi,watching this from Scotland 👍🏴.
Awesome!
I can't say for sure, but the explanation for the population of Calico Rock may have to do with the North Central Arkansas prison population no longer being counted as part of the towns population? The town itself has typically had around 900 to 1000 people but when the prison population was added in, it jumped it up to around 1500 to 1600. It is typical to count prison population in with whatever municipality has it, such as counties and or towns. Just a thought
It’s exactly the reason why. And also, from 2011 to 2020, always population estimates from the bureau, never official counts between censuses.
I used to live in Tn They counted the Navy base population until it closed.
Interesting. That would make sense.
There is a North Central Unit in the city limits that has a capacity of 800. It does appear to be an active unit and all prisoners should count towards the population of the town. That would be the discrepancy in the numbers cited by Spoda.
I grew up in Texas County, Missouri. The county only has some 25,000 or so in population, but in land area, it's the biggest county in Missouri, bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island.
Up in the northern part of the county is the town of Licking. About 15 or 20 years ago, the state built a prison there. Licking city officials originally said they would not add the inmates to the population, then later did, making Licking the biggest town in Texas County.
Very enjoyable tour and enjoyed your narration. Thanks for sharing.
I’m not a fan of every video you do but every now & then you pull out an absolute gem just like this one
There's nothing sad about our little town!! It's extremely fasinating and gorgeous! You are obviously visiting on a cold and dreary winters day. I'm glad you are keeping our beauty a secret!
The Clintons destroyed the entire state
Having accepted a corporate transfer to Little Rock almost 50 years ago, it!s been my distinct pleasure to've visited your entire list many times each as I transited the state's hiways & byways in my capacity as a service tech in the I/T buiness!
Additionally, I have spent countless weekend & vacation nites, happily camping @State Park, USFS. & Corp of Engineer sites, not only in the region traveled in the vid, but statewide! Married for 30+ years to a native Arkansan, I simply cannot imagine living elsewhere! We boast scenery on par with anywhere in the lower 48, an acceptable cost if living, and a law abiding & mostly Christian populace..
Ya'll come visit. Ya'hear!!!
Mostly, lmao 🤣
I’m from Massachusetts and can’t believe some of the places I’ve seen in the south. Even N Virginia right near the Chesapeake tunnel, lots of abandoned houses. Around us if you within 10 miles of the ocean, it’s $500K.
Tom F I bought a older 40s home with 9 acres for less than 40k in Arkansas 🇺🇸 😊👍
@@abnormalynn7885 that’s incredible. Good for you. I’ve been to Ft Smith for business. They took us up to the White River trout fishing. Absolutely beautiful place like most of this great country!
Roy, I agree with you and glad to see you are still with us. Bob
Love watching your travel logs-thank you for taking me along as you explore our countryside.
Our pleasure!
Thank you for taking us with you. I truly enjoyed it...
I've been a city boy my whole life. Living the fast life in downtown chicago. But something always amazes me about small towns. The quiet, simple communities with mom and pops shops sprinkled around.
why downtown not north or south or the other places in chicago
There are many small towns south of Chicago that are ghost towns. Seen a few on utube.
Go move to one and live there for awhile. Life there is boring and the people are nosy as hell (Everybody knows everyone else's business). The "rural" scenery is often breathtaking though.
@@brandaonb4249 that's everywhere
@@brandaonb4249 to hats why you care if about Kardashian
I live in Arkansas and have lived in Calico Rock and several of these small towns. What people who are not from here don’t know is that there are a lot of strong hard working people who know how to survive off of the land. If shitf in cities, people will wish they had grown up in places like this.
I was raised just outside of Big Flat on Round mountain right across the road from the church
People in places like this wish they grew up in the big city.
@IronSpaghett ,I was born in Lawrence, Kansas back in 68
My dad grew up in Calico Rock, and when we visited twice a yr when i was little, i wished i lived there instead of the suburbs of twin cities. I still would like to be somewhere similar
I would rather live in one of these small towns than in a major city like NY, Chicago, Baltimore, Cleveland, etc..
Thank you for the video. I recently relocated right in this area ( Mountain Home) and have been through most of the towns you went through. Its a beautiful place and the people are kind and friendly . Population is older, retired folks mainly, but super family friendly. I would say God, family, nature and love of country are the priorities here.. And yes, it is peaceful .
Your channel is the best in the "New to You" offerings I've ever found. My dad was from Arkansas so I really enjoyed the video. Subscribed.
Awesome! Thank you!
Hello Lord Spoda. Just wanted to say that in 1999 my parents lived and pastored a church in Calico Rock, Arkansas. My father died behind the pulpit there - that was the way he wanted to go, either preaching or having just finished his sermon, which is what happened on a Sunday morning. He had a heart attack (he'd had heart trouble for years). Good video. I had actually never heard of the town Big Flat, I think it was. But the rest I have been through before.
Wow! Great comment.
I think he should follow up to see if these folks left or died.
Which church was it? My dad grew up there and we visited twice a yr while i was growing up
@@andromedayuyi9845 It was an Assembly of God Church. I don't know if Calico Rock has more than one in the town or not. I haven't been back since my father died there.
@@brendafife3253 I think you are right. Husband and I were talking about that too. Wondering what had happened. If a major factory shut down then the people probably left because they didn't have work anymore. But if not...who knows what happened?!
I lived in Arkansas for a while and it is one of the most beautiful places I've been and also the best fishing I have ever seen! Ate fish all the time!
Ahh the drive inn theater, there’s one a few miles from my home. Love it!! The nostalgia, the smell of mustard smothered corndogs and popcorn.. 😊😊 now I’ve gotta go this weekend 😂😂
It was so pleasant "riding" along with you through these interesting towns. Although some yards were junky, the roads were clean and free of litter. Beautiful Arkansas!!!
I agree. :)
I love these drive around vlogs. It give the viewers a look around real American towns. The facts you mention about these towns are interesting too. Thank you !
Thank you, Mabus!
I am from NW Arkansas. Have been to all these towns except for Cotter. Been to these towns in my younger days due to Jr Rodeos or cattle/livestock shows.
Can you please provide your definition of a "real" American town? I'm curious to see if I live in a fake American town which in turn would make me a "fake american" I suppose?
@@jayk5323
White Christian armed
@@jakebredthauer5100 Always love those towns. LOL 😅 😆 🤣
I love this part of Arkansas. It's great. Laid back and still plenty of nature to enjoy. Renting a cabin there can make a vacation move a lot slower which is nice when you're getting older.
drive ins and pick up truck were awesome
I love seeing these beautiful houses. They are all different. We don't have houses like this in UK. I like the idea of sitting on a swing on a huge porch...maybe one day🙂❤️
Lately , I have stopped dropping few lines in your videos as a token of appreciation as we have been busy with our lives. But I always made sure that I watch one of your videos every few days . Coz all your videos are worth it.
Thank you. :)
One thing I’ve noticed about the towns in western Arkansas. No matter how poor they are, the folks are nice, and the town centers have pride. They may be old and a bit rundown, but man, they have class.
anyone who takes pride in throwing turkeys off of roofs and out of planes is shameful.
@@TFNLF just be glad they were not sheep
@@TFNLF you sound like a real joy.
Where’s the licquer store 😂😂😂
Thank you for making these really great videos! I really enjoy seeing these places most people will never even hear of and your details are very informative!
Thank you, William!
"This town has a deliverance vibe", that's most of rural Arkansas. I've lived here since '09 and I can't say it gets any better, but I can say it's absolutely stunningly beautiful especially in spring. We have rivers, lakes, as well as mountains and caves for those that love to outdoor adventure and the hunting and fishing is great too.
I'm from Washington, and much of the western part of the state (outside the Seattle metro) has a similar feel, and likewise is beautiful in the change of season. The San Juan Islands and Cascade Mountains were our back yard.
It is beautiful, especially that area.
Yes, that brown water looks great....:(
@@matildagreene1744 that’s called fall and leaves staining the water that color. During the summers our waters are clear. Have you never made tea, I wonder…
Don’t be condescending or make fun of these poor places.
John Grisham mentions Calico Rock in his writing, along with the White River… people from all over the country, and even world, go trout fishing there…
There is also one of many Arkansas’ state prisons there… I live in the NW part of the state, one of the most booming places in the country… and have been to Calico Rock many times… hopefully you will go to Eureka Springs, since you are so close, a very unique town.
The Buffalo National River is also nearby, very beautiful ..
I must add, after completely watching.. some of these small towns, by government numbers, have a high poverty rate, with low mean incomes, are a lot of older folks, retired, showing social security as their income, which would surely put them below the poverty level, may very well be sitting on several million dollars worth of assets, explaining why the nice homes in “poverty stricken “ towns… everything is not always what it seems, particularly dealing with government numbers…
I am going to go to Eureka Springs, but I'm waiting until late spring. That town is really beautiful when everything is green. :)
The white river is a beauty. I live in Cotter which Is on the white river about 15 minutes south of Mountain Home. I move here from Denver in June 2022 and It was quite a culture shock but is an amazing place to live. I've stepped back to 1957, happily
@@ievibes wow! I envy you.. what a beautiful place to live! Enjoy…
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip awesome, I’ll be looking forward to your video! It really is beautiful in the spring…..
Outstanding video on one of your adventures threw Arkansas historical sites.
Also through those sites as well.
this is exactly my favourite way of travelling, i usually rent a car and just drive around, taking it all in. sometimes get out and walk a bit but not much
I've lived in Arkansas 32 years. I love this state. I live more in the Hot Springs County Area Close to Hot Springs National Park. I have heard of Calico Rock but never been. This makes me want to explore towns I haven't been to. THanks for sharing.
I enjoy your vids, please remember that the less well to do are people who have done the best for them, these folks are the backbone and the overlooked and they deserve respect
I live in Dallas but I’m Moving back to Central Arkansas/Little Rock Area after not living there in 15 years(I was Born in LR)…..Arkansas is a Rare Gem in the U.S.A as a Whole and I’m a Trucker ❤️…..
I lived in Arkansas for about 25 years . We moved away a couple of years ago, watching this makes me miss those mountains and clear water.. kinda homesick now lol thank you!!
My parents were born in the 60s and also felt nostalgic about the old drive ins with the speaker attachments. So cool to see that.
I've been in every town you went through. I grew up near Cotter. One of my favorite memories as a teenager was driving my 71 Firebird 400 with a 4 speed and straight pipes across the Cotter Bridge. Let me tell you, it sounded glorious!
Cotter is a great town, and that bridge is one of the most impressive I've seen in my travels.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip I believe it's unique. I don't think the particular method of construction used to build that bridge has been replicated in America. Another area below the bridge is the Cotter Springs swimming hole. If you are in the area during the summer you'll find lots of people escaping the heat there. Fun fact, a friend of mine has walked across the bridge, not on the road deck but balancing on the railing and over the top of each arch. He challenged me to do it but I was either to smart or to chicken to try it.
I fell in love with the natural beauty & friendly people of north-central AR (particularly CALICO ROCK) after taking a camping vacation over 40 yrs ago. Can't believe you didn't show the view of the Calico Rock bluffs from across the river! AR is technically poor, but the cost of living is less than half of NH - and public services & facilities (especially for outdoor recreation) are excellent. We recently achieved our dream of retiring on the White River in Flippin, and for 1/10th the taxes I paid in NH, I get a luxurious lifestyle surrounded by among the friendliest people on the planet.
You do get way more "bang for your buck" in AR vs NH if retired. However, New England has four seasons, many elite colleges, quaint towns , plenty of history, mountains & ocean and Boston with it's world class health care and culture along with close proximity to other interesting cities like Montreal or NYC, so get what you pay for too.
I love to look at all the old rock buildings around here in North Arkansas they were just using the natural resources to build with in the times past. It just seems like the craft of stone masonry and some of the ornate wood work and trim on the older homes are a lost art in today's world.
I'll never forget the first time I saw the gray rock bluffs as you near Calico Rock on Highway 5. Just such a surprise. There use to be a scenic train that stopped at Calico Rock. I road it may years ago just to say I road it.
Welcome to AR! People truly don’t realize the beauty to be had here. Glad to hear someone appreciate it
My grandma grew up in a house at the top of the bluffs, where there are now cabins for rent. Her family house up there burnt down because of a stray spark from the railroad track below, that got carried all the way up the bluff.
My dream wedding would be in that exact spot, by the cabins that are there now. It's the same place that grandma got engaged, and where my own parents got engaged. ❤️
I am 49 yards old and from Oregon in 2010 my dad (from Oakland)and I had the pleasure of visiting is siblings he had never met in his 50 years on earth. The small sad town our family was from was England. It was very sad yet we were happy to be there because we had NEVER experienced anything like this. The spirit of the town was that it had been in a time warp. My family ( with our last name) we’re the majority of this town. There were flood water marks on some of the homes. Boarded up homes where folk STILL resided. Like you say the earth has reclaimed homes. The whites would not respond to a simple hello. It took all of twenty minutes to get through a tour one of my cousins took me in. My uncles wife was the principal of the school. There was one stop light that was actually a blinking four way stop. One Kroger food market and I didn’t know what a “dry county” was. I thought it meant you couldn’t drink alcohol on Sunday’s. It just appeared left behind. I WOULD like to visit again though because the businesses that WERE operating had folk that look like me. I don’t see that where I was born
I used to duck hunt there!
I'd still choose Arkansas over Oregon.
My dad grew up in Arkansas. I only have good memories of my trips there as a child. And we visited a lot of towns and relatives of my dad's family. My granddaddy was a Minister all over Arkansas. I was nine when he died but even at 69 have wonderful memories of him. He baptized me when I was a baby.
❤️
I love those big old beautiful homes.(Hubby says everything I like is a money pit and haunted). Coming from Connecticut I can't believe the home values, medians, etc. Seems like great places to live. Normal, common sense, hard working everyday people. Thanks for bringing us along!
Thank you for the kind words, Diane. :)
Totally different culture. They don't always accept outsiders. Moved to AR from IL and WI, wish I had never left the north.
I grew up in a large old beachfront home in Pass Christian! MS. The house had a resident spirit who called herself ‘Miss Amy’. We had a painting of her and my parents took the painting when they sold the home and my wife convinced me to take the painting and burn it and take the ashes and put then in the Gulf of Mexico (Mississippi Sound) . Miss Amy’s Spirit is now at peace. The house BTW, was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and it’s street number was 415 East Beach for reference.
I am personally from Marshall. If there is anything you would like to know about living here just ask me. For instance, it is quiet here, but we have a huge drug problem here. So if there is ever something loud going on, it probably involves drugs.
@@mildredkrisik8888 Yeah. You're always going to be a Yankee, but I'm sure most people will show you hospitality.
Am from Batesville, close to calico rock. Roads didn't used to be so narrow. Recently visited Batesville and it's city streets had been narrowed for some reason. Beautiful area.
Live in Vegas now, so to me after being gone for so long, it's paradise. Plan to move back to AR asap. Many small towns in the south, they are everywhere. They have the resources to do it. Not like in Nevada, where it's nothing but desert.
Thank you for this sir.
🤔.....
Trying to save money, our small towns are loosing people. Come back, lol
@@nathanbean2499 Doing the same thing, saving up. To move back too. Miss the God fearing, real neighbors, hunting and fishing paradise. My mother is there and I want to get back and help take care of her. She's in her, very older years.
Came back and visited recently. Couldn't believe how many, nice public places that had been locked up. Beautiful scenic areas locked up, because of drug waste and trash left behind. Truly sad. And the hunting clubs buying up all the good hunting land. Things changed out there.
Makes me want to apply to their law enforcement and help clean up.
Chucky Thedoll....Chucky, the only place where the streets were changed is on Main Street where it goes through the old downtown area; only a few blocks long. Most of us don't like the way that Main Street was changed. It was supposed to increase parking and ease of use, but it seems like it just made it harder. Yea, more landscaping and pretty flowers where the road has been blocked off, but most of us would much prefer to have had better driving conditions through the downtown area. And yes, downtown Batesville has been working real hard to rejuvenate downtown and attract more businesses, which it has, and that is great; downtown really needed it, but the street thing has taken people a long time to adjust to.
@@marbleman52 Davis lane was wider and the street my mother lives on used to be wider as well.. You used to be able to get cars through going opposite directions, but not anymore. I saw a few streets that used to be wider, here and there. Ruddel hill streets looked like they went on diets,, lol. Main street was, unique. Had to stop and throw Hatchetts at that tomahawk place. It looked nicely done, just different. Lot changed since I left in 99. Most of all, miss the down to earth people there.
Good video! Thanks for sharing.
Always entertaining. Thanks!
Sad to see these pockets of deterioration, picture in my mind the families enjoying these homes and towns during the better times.
I live in NE Arkansas , in the hills , and it is a lot like what you see in this Video . I live in the town of Imboden , on the Spring River . This was once one of the busy shipping points for cotton and other crops .
I really enjoyed this video, it showed up in my feed today. I live in a tiny town/village in Southern Illinois.
Wow know all that stuff is happening just moved to all the other wonderful little towns and cities across USA how wonderful
It was killing me to not know what the drive-in was showing! Fear not. American Google as opposed to Australian Siri has the listing for this week at the Kenda Drive-In: The Polar Express and National Lampoon Christmas Vacation both starting at 7:30PM. And I agree, drive-ins were the locations of some of the best times of my life!
I can attest that that drive in in Marshall is great. The food selection is outstanding and is about half the price you will pay in a movie theater. I highly recommend it
We used to all go to the Laconia New Hampshire one with lawn chairs sit outside put your lawn chair near a Jeep so you can hear the movie it just closed like 10 years ago
@@alcaholic9559 I use to make the circuit of drive-ins around Chicago on dates. One night we did two one the same night because sometimes we actually watched the movies and we wanted to see two in particular which were playing at different drive-ins. This was about 40 years ago. Not sure if any of those spots are left.
In the early 80's my uncle sold his large trucking company in East Texas and moved to Marshall. A year or so later he was elected Mayor. He promptly fired the Police Department.
He made himself Police Chief, hired a new Officers and cleaned the town up.
The creek you drove through is called a low water bridge. You drove through another earlier. .
@user-yq1ve7xm3d
Wow quite something, just goes to show you that there are a few rotten apples among most communities but somehow they always seem to be in positions of power, and probably cheat to get there. Glad your Uncle was able to change that pattern in Marshall.
It ALWAYS seems like PDs are corrupt, and filled with many bad apples with the good ones being a RARE exception. Did you ever see the film "Walking Tall"? Make sure you check out the 1973 original version, I'm sure your Uncle could relate to that one.
@@watershed44 Thanks for the comment. Yes, I saw Walking Tall, Joe Don Baker. I don't think my Uncle carried a big stick though. I never heard him raise his voice once.
These are the sort of stories I would love to hear of more.
Marshall is a beautiful little town.
@@stephanieanne2352 It is a beautiful town, thats why my Aunt and Uncle retired there. Plus Beaver Lake, my uncle had a cabin there and he loved to fish.
So many nice, old, small towns in rural Arkansas. Batesville, Harrison, Ponca, Jasper, and many others.
I’ve heard so much about drive-in movies 🎥.., I so wish I can experience it. This video is giving me that hope that someday, when I visit Marshalls, AK, I will have the opportunity to do so. Hopefully, it will still be in business. I thought all drive-in movies were gone. Wow. Thank you so much once again for taking us along on your journeys. I just love watching these videos, absolutely 💯 🙏🏽🙏🏽
I was raised in Marshall (till I was 25) and now live about 40 minutes away near Mountain View. I enjoyed your video, but wanted to say the chocolate roll you showed looks like a Swiss roll. The chocolate rolls we made growing up are made with very thin pie crust, and cocoa, butter, and sugar for the filling. Some people fry them, but the best ones are baked in my opinion. When they are baked right, there will be a liberal amount of cocoa, butter, and sugar filling, and the pie crust will be folded over the filling, then sealed up with wetting the seams with water. Then baked until the crust is just done, and it is some kind of good. Just know that not all chocolate rolls are created equal.
Yeah, I guess I had better edit that out. :(
Fairfield Bay
The traditional ones used no yeast, basically biscuit dough. My Mom would make 'em and we'd eat them right there in Searcy county. 😆
Sounds wonderful!
Swiss roll, that's it. I couldn't think of the name, but chocolate roll didn't seem right.
Born and raised in Mountain View Arkansas.. We like to say Big Flat isn't a "Town" it's the liquor store! 🤣That is literally all that is there. Should have gone to Mountain View. What a treat!!
I'll be visiting Mountain View soon.
Yes Searcy County where Marshall is located is a dry county and Big Flat is the liquor store 😂
@@tomduley6357 Dry counties and wet. Crawford County (Van Buren) is dry.Then drive over the Arkansas River to Sebastion County (Fort Smith) and liquor stores line both sides of the road. 😂 🐊 Lisa from the Sunshine State
Could say the same about Possum Grape.
I'm new to your channel and have to say, your videos are so enjoyable and intriguing. I love hearing about the history of each town, and your voice is calming and pleasant. I especially love seeing the unique architecture, the different downtowns, other cool finds, and the buildings overtaken by nature. New subscriber ^_^
Awesome!
The summer before last I took a few days driving through NW Arkansas. The landscape was absolutely beautiful. Even the abandoned homes and towns here and there were picturesque in their own way. I didn't get to see as much as I wanted to, because driving was slow. The state highways were in excellent condition, but I'm not used to driving those twists and turns. I also had a lot of good food and friendly people.
Nice!
I have lived in this area for 30 years and have lived in calico rock in the past 10! I forget how beautiful and historic the area is until someone like you remind me! As far as calico rock's population, I personally haven't noticed any changes or vacant housing. Calico is beautiful but some of the people who live there are a bit rough. The town honestly hasn't changed too much as far as being wild behind the scenes! I'm glad you love North Central Arkansas and all the beauty it has to offer! I was tickled to see all the familiar places I've grown up in.
37:30 house is so nice. Great video. Watching from South Yorkshire UK. Liked the drive in movie theatre and hand painted Coca-cola mural too. Fascinating to see. I'd sooner watch this type of stuff than regular TV. It doesn't and hasn't interested me for a long time now.
Great video. Thanks
@0917
The little house used to have a porch. The lady of the house sat there shelling peas for dinner in a world far different from the one we live in.
As always thank you for sharing these towns with us! I can’t help but wonder how population, city revenue, and industry losses, tornadoes, floods and lastly Covid have impacted these communities. Seems one or more of these events have sadly changed these towns. 😟
🤔...
Wait a minute, everyone in Arkansas knows they never get tornadoes. …..(oops!)
Labor saving agricultural
and forestry equipment.
Allen---
Yes they get TORNADOS...
I know a family that lost two children in a tornado.!!! SADLY
@@mayorwest6488
What is George's?
I'm in Mountain Home, Arkansas. We've been to the drive-in a few times. It's a really great place and seems to be pretty popular with all ages. It's also quite a bit cheaper between the entry and concessions costs than the modern places. Above all, you get to experience something that has almost completely disappeared. It would be so neat to see more of these places brought back.
Amazing that all the roads are perfectly kept. Here in UK - especially Edinburgh- they are tragic!! Pot-holes galore and uneven
Great memories of a trip to Yellville... wish you'd had time to go to Eureka Springs, with its spring in the basin, steps everywhere downtown and TWO Haunted hotels... one of which I have stayed in twice!
We will be going to Eureka Springs in the late spring. We want to visit when everything is green.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip If you stop in Fayetteville hit me up!
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip eureka Springs would be better to visit in the fall as the foliage is absolutely beautiful. You're going to be shocked that a little town like that exist in Arkansas
Visit the Crescent in Eureka! Amazing ghost tours.
In Big Flat, Arkansas, the reason the poverty is so high is because of the age and health of the residents. I'm on disability and I am below poverty level. I worked as a RN for years but unfortunately health can take its toll on anyone at any age. Our country needs to do better about helping those who cannot work because of health or taking care of people who are elderly. All that being said, Arkansas has the most compassionate and friendly people anywhere. We can have a $1.00 to our name and if someone really needed that dollar we would give it to them.
we're to busy helping illegal immigrants. no money left for US Citizens!
God bless you
Sorry: they are giving all the money you need, to Ukraine for a fake war nobody wants.
@@surfandstreamfisher5749 The wealthiest 1% has taken $50 trillion from working Americans and redistributed it, a new study finds - and Trump gave them another $2.3 trillion. Here's what that means:
No universal healthcare.
A terrible education system.
Police forces that are incompetent at best and criminal at worst.
Infrastructure that is actually dangerous.
So not immigrants. Billionaires.
QUE GRANDE ARKANSAS... UN SALUDO DESDE MADRID, SPAIN, EUROPE.
I've lived in big flat most of my life lol I was so shocked to see it on here. And I used to go to the kenda drive in over in marshall all the time growing up! Absolutely amazing and such a nice family that owns and operates it. I haven't been in a few years but last time I was there you could still get a window speaker. The radio is optional :) and there's another drive in theater in mountain view that's not too far away but kinda is better in my opinion! Love the video!
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Got a few chuckles, like from the annual Yellville Turkey Trot and naming of "Miss Turkey Drumsticks" named based on the merits of their legs. I'll check out your other "tours" and maybe get an idea for a road trip. Exactly what I enjoy doing! I hope you have one from South Central (very rural) Arkansas as that's where my grandma was from
Ive lived in Arkansas all my life and Ive been to everyone of these towns. I love what you did here and I cant wait to watch more of your videos. Well done Sir!
Thank you, Brandon!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I've been hoping for a rural Arkansas video. It's one of the areas we're looking at for retirement. At present Tupelo Mississippi holds the #1 spot. I can't wait to live back in the south. Should never have left. Thoroughly enjoy your videos.
Tina, look at Fayetteville, Mountain Home, Heber Springs and Greers Ferrry. Northern Arkansas' climate will be nicer than Tupelo's, unless you like hot and muggy all the time.
Tupelo, Mississippi is NOT hot and muggy ALL the time. The climate there is more like Tennessee’s climate, because it is North Mississippi. I am from Mississippi. It is HOT AND MUGGY ALOT WHERE I LIVE IN MISSISSIPPI, which is Central Mississippi! But, Southern Mississippi is even hotter. It takes between 6 or 7 hours to get from Southern Mississippi to Northern Mississippi. The temperature can change a lot in that amount of time depending on what time of year it is. IF YOU HAVE DEEP POCKETS MOVE TO MADISON, MISSISSIPPI. It’s where all the Rich People live, including Coach Deion Sanders. It is one Beautiful place to live.
@@Castleknight I will do that. Thank you.
@@Castleknight NWA Is a hot spot from Fayetteville - Bella Vista . House prices sky rocket the last 3 years.
And Bentonville