Formerly Knights of Pythias |
Altus Arkansas Where the grapes grow best. Photos provided by Larry Brown |
 Coal Miners Memorial Photos by Larry Brown |
Formerly Knights of Pythias |
Altus Arkansas Where the grapes grow best. Photos provided by Larry Brown |
Coal Miners Memorial Photos by Larry Brown |
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Another view of the Coal Miners Memorial by Margaret
Main Street old Altus. Not many cars then. Altus was the end of the railroad for about one year. Can anyone date this picture? It was after electricity was brought to town, but when was that? This was in the horse and buggy days for sure. |
Altus, Arkansas Today
Main Street Altus
by Larry Brown
Not many cars here even yet
History of Altus
Left is the city park today
Altus was Incorporated August 21, 1888. The population at that time was about 500. Dr. S. D. Price was the Mayor. Its name was derived from a Latin word meaning high, Its location was the highest point on the Little Rock / Fort Smith railroad which later became the Missouri Pacific railroad. The first passenger train went through Altus in 1875.
Central Collegiate Institute was among the first colleges in Northwestern, Arkansas. It was founded by Reverend Isham L. Burrow (a Methodist Minister) October 31, 1876. It was successful two boarding houses were built for the accommodation of the increasing student body, a larger school was built. The plans called for a three-story building with a tower, which was to rise seven stories in height.
The college was purchased from Rev. Burrow and renamed Hendrix College, in honor of Bishop Hendrix of Kansas City. 1890 moved it to Conway, AR at that time the property reverted to Rev. Burrow. He was determined that the college in Altus should continue, he opened a college in the fall of 1890 naming it Hiram; Lydia College in honor of his father and mother. After 16 years of success Rev. Burrow decided to retire because of his age. He sold the school buildings to the Altus School District and the boarding houses were sold to private citizens. On the night of Feb. 5, 1909 a bolt of lightening hit the third floor of the school building setting fire to the structure and it was completely destroyed.
The first grapes grown in the county were in Altus. They have been an important part of the Altus areas. German and Swiss settlers on Pond Creek Mountain north of town started the vineyards in 1881. Jacob Post SR set out the first vineyard in 1881. Many of the immigrants in Altus came from winemaking regions and transferred their talents to their new homes. Altus soon became famous for its good wine.
There are still four wineries in the area: Wiederkehr, Post, Mount Bethel and Sax Winery. Some of the wines from this area are known worldwide.
Churches: Altus Missionary Baptist Church was organized July 1887 by elders: J.M. Lawrence, A.S. Pettie and R.M. Small. Altus Methodist Episcopal Church South was organized in 1875 by Rev. C.H. Gregory; it burned in 1951 was built back in 1952. The Christian Church organized July 1888 by F.B. Sirgley. Was disbanded in 1920. Altus Pentecostal church has been active in Altus for 50+ years. Father Beatus Maria Ziswyler organized Altus Catholic Church November 21, 1879. This church is built of native stone that came from the hill it sets on. It is on the historical register, is visited by thousands of tourists yearly.
The German American Bank of Altus was established in the early 1900's. The officers were as follows: H.L. Hembery President, J.J. Sax Vice President, Rev. Palcidus Vice President, J.N. Adams Cashier, Directors: A. Buergler, M. Musgrove, Jacob Post, J.J. Sax and N.J. Adams. It became the bank of Altus around the time war broke out. In May 1918 its doors closed. This building has been many things including a Post Office. Now it is the Altus Heritage Museum open operated by volunteers. Always open during special city events.
Businesses in the 1900's -1980's: Theater: Mr. Weishaup, Livery Stable: L.P. Jacobs, later sold to Thomas F. Canady who also worked in the train depot, Harness and Shoe shop: Mr. Stanfield, Barbers: Molard Jacobs, Roy English, George Flegel, Gilbreath, Charlie Rachel. General Merchandise: Jim Cherry, Harve Nichols, L.M. Hembry, J.P. Baker, Seaman's, Lewis; Virginia Canady. Confectionery: Doc Schriver. Hardware, Furniture & Undertaker: Mrs. Johnson. Lumber, Furniture & Undertaker: Mr. Newman. Hardware: Mike Metz, J.B. Randolph. Grocery: Mr. Edwards, Will Woods, Gerald Hampton, Charlie Melton, Harmons, Mr. Cline, Ethel & Bill Musgrove, Judge Burrow, Mr. Jacobs, Jack Pitts, Earl Nixon, Gallon Gossett Grocery and Feed Store. College Hill Bottling Co.: Jim Mansfield. Drug Stores: Doc Schriver, Mooney's, Model Drugs, McCuberys, and Higgens. Cotton Gin: Jim Mansfield. Café: Ben Resse, Peach Burns Café, The Owls Roost, Hallie Dobbins. Gift Shop: Mr. Nelson, Garner Carter, Radio Shop, John Harbottle Liquor Store, Mae Arbough, Lorene Gazaway Liquor Store, Dow Williams, Service Station, Ralph Harris Gas Station.
About 1910 Altus had an Icehouse. You could buy ice by the pound but you had to go after it, delivery of ice did not begin until about 1930. It also had a central telephone office. Fred Burrow was the banker, Bud Rowe was the Gazette correspondent.
Newspapers: C.H. Gregorys Agriculture paper, The Altus Albion by R.C. Hill founded 1883 then Prof. I.L. Burrow 1850, then Mr. Burnett, E.M. Dewey and W.L. Jameson. B.M. Burrow then owned it, later rented it to D.M. McGraw. On May 17, 1888 G.W. Austin leased it calling the Altus Advance, it continued until 1894. H.T. Hampton it was published until 1899 founded the Altus Sun in 1896. The Altus Banner was organized in 1917 by Miss Sultana Higgins and was published until 1920.
1927-28 a building boom hit Altus. J.H. Jacobson, a Chicago millionaire bought up seven farms on Pond Creek Mountain north of Altus for the purpose of building summer cabins for his wealthy Chicago friends. A group was formed of Altus citizens with Jacobson as leader for the purpose of building a swimming pool, bridle path and landscaping the mountainside. Before the proposed work was completed the depression of 1929 hit financially ruining Jacobson and his friends. The population was 709 at that time.
Altus was the birth place of a talented author and writer: Mrs. Janice Holt Giles. She was born at the home of her grandfather Dave McGraw. Her parents moved to eastern Oklahoma when she was four however, she spent many summers with her grandparents. She wrote many books some of which are "The Plum Thicket," 40 Acres and No Mule," "Run Me a River" and many more.
Most of the coal mines were not in Altus but they were very important to the economy as many families made their living from them. Mining in the area was from 1873-1940. Many of the miners would work the mines by night and farm by day, many walking for miles to go to work. The Altus part of the field is known as the low coal field: veins vary from 16 to 24 inches in this part of the field. Low coal mines in this area were the Black Diamond in 1923, Lewis in 1924, The Flying Dutchman in 1930 and the Smith mine in 1931. Altus local 2121 was organized in 1934.
Dr. E.W. Pillstrom opened Altus first and only hospital in 1944. Was open until his death in 1956. At that time Mrs. Pillstrom opened the Pillstrom nursing home which remained in operation until 1978. Today the building still stands. Some of his staff were: Katie Joerger, Mrs. Mary Pillstrom, Irene Pillstrom, Luke Park, Agnes Joerger, Margaret Meiger and Ena Harrington, R.N.
Postmasters: Kerney L. Harman 7-6-1875, Jacob W. Williamson 1-18-1877, Robert C. Hill 7-8-1878, Otto B. Donaldson 3-2-1880, Lewis B. Phillips 12-13-1881, John W. Crockett 10-27-1885, Lewis B. Phillips 7-26-1889, Thomas B. Crawford 2-9-1891, Otto B. Donaldson 8-21-1893, George W. Crawford 7-13-1897, Lewis B. Phillips 1-3-1901, Nancy J. Phillips 5-23-1903, Oliver H. Swift 2-28-1906, Milburn A. Henry 8-8-1914, Mildred Luck 11-16-1918, Walter McSwain 10-17-1919, Fredrick H. Burrow 6-13-1921, Hattie L. Burrow 12-15-1925, Mrs. Hattie l. Moore 3-18-1929, Mrs. Mattie Thompson Higgins 2-7-1934, Pauline M. Olesak 7-30-1934, Pauline M. Weatherton 11-25-1937, Benjamin P. Davis 3-31-1938, Gurley C. Pitts 1-5-1951.
Rural Route carriers: first one unknown, Walter E. McSwain Jan9-1913-Oct. 13, 1919, Justin J. Duerr Nov 24, 1919-Nov 1919, Carl M. Compton Nov. 25, 1919-July 2, 1920, Sam F. Davis July 3, 1920-August 19, 1950, Robert Brown Aug 21, 1950-Jan. 15, 1951, Benjamin P. Davis Jan. 1951-July 31, 1959, James Baker Aug. 1, 1959-April 28, 1961, R.C. Sosebee April 29, 1961-1988.
Ozark is located about 35 miles east of Fort Smith on Interstate 40, with a population of approximately 3,600. It is well within commuting distance of Fort Smith and many residents do work and travel there daily. There are two easy-on/off ramps from I-40 at Ozark. Enjoy the slow paced small town living yet the easy access to larger towns, just minutes away.
The Ozark area is ideal for sports of all kinds. Hunting, hiking, and water sports on Ozark Lake located on the Arkansas River and the white water canoeing on the mighty Mulberry River, just north of Ozark on the "Pig Trail" Scenic Byway, Hwy. 23, which is one of the most scenic drives in Arkansas. Ozark is within a short distance to many operated recreational facilities.
History of Altus, Arkansas is provided by Fran Frame at: ronframe@gte.netg>
Altus Museum
This
quilt on display at the Heritage Center: