The County Seat in 2015

In the county of Montgomery, Ark
On Route Two Seventy East
is the country town of Mount Ida
Hot Springs east 50 minutes at least.

Its buildings chiefly of native stone
And some are built of wood
But plenty are of brick
and the courthouse stands on the square for good.


The town's street-names
Whittington, Elder, George, Scott, Jackson, Luzerne Sts, Watkins Lane
and now you know half its history.
 then there is Ray Dr, Golden Rd and Sandlin Lane.

A jolly sight to see
is Lake Ouachita that is so cool
then in ten minutes you can stand
in front of Mt Ida High School.

Thirty two high school grads
Lions of 2015 year
and their own prosperity
there's very little fear.

FFA and Lady Lions Barlow and Vines
Rich Mountain CC and future Razorbacks
Mullins, Mayberry, Jones, McCoy, Fryar, Rowland,
Watson, Wheeler, Barrett, Burke all can relax.



They will miss the hamburgers at the Diaryette
and the Friday night football games.
Lions pickup trucks will remain king of HS parking lot
and 50% will return for class reunions and recount names.


The lot was purchased from Charlie Bates. The Dairyette opened it up June 1957. I know the sign says 1958 but that rhymes with shake. A hamburger was 25 cents.

We've Churches and Sunday schools,
Bob's Food City which is a grocery store,
Lions, banks and 4H Clubs
Land brokers and contractors and the Farmers Association store.



Towards Norman Highway 27 south
the SFA is just out of town
has cowbells, fish, bush hogs, Tee posts, dungarees
 feed for livestock and whatever farmers want to track down.

Opposite the cemetery is Thornton's Funeral Home
Nearby is the Front Porch on the courthouse lawn with music and summer sweat.
Adjacent is the First Baptist Church
for answers not found on the internet.



The weekly newspaper Montgomery County News
is printed every Thursday.
Online at mcnews
Editor is Mr. Dewayne Holloway.

Numbers near a thousand souls,
many enjoying the forest land.
Along with the deer, turkey, ticks and chiggers
Fishermen and mountain bikers an enterprising band.

A place of peace and woods
so Mount Ida, you see is neat.
A courthouse and a jail for rogues
and Sherriff White with his own county seat.



Heading west is True Value
and Debbie's flea shop.
Even a Subway on the highway
and Mt. Ida Tire but no bus stop.



The County Nursing Home stands upon the hill,
and 'tis a lovely spot.
Just see what a splendid view
the patients all have got.

A stone building that was Sears for years
Montgomery County Nursing Home Auxiliary Thrift
By George - the community is giving back
Ladies volunteer and take a four hour shift.



Walk or bike the thirty six mile LOViT Trail
built by the Traildogs and enjoyed by whitetail deer.
As you will see Mt. Ida is as fine
a place you'll find out here.

 

Montgomery County News
September 30, 2015 Dewayne Holloway
MOUNT IDA – Local business people and trail enthusiasts filled the meeting room at the Mount Ida Civic Center, Tuesday, September 22, to discuss the rise in mountain biking as a tourist industry and how Montgomery County can better provide for those who come to ride the local trails. Steve Schneider, a regional representative for International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), was on hand to give a presentation on mountain biking and its growth as a vital part of the tourism industry. Schneider began by giving a background on IMBA, which began in 1988. It has since grown to include 40,000 members across all 50 states and 30 countries around the world. Their goal is to protect, create and enhance great mountain bike experiences. IMBA offers a host of services for mountain bikers and trail groups, including trail care crews. Schneider reported that a trail care crew was currently available for Arkansas through IMBA thanks to a grant provided by the Walton Foundation. He also pointed out that IMBA was working with government agencies to promote mountain biking as a vital part of the tourism industry. He explained that surveys show mountain bikers tend to be male around the age of 38. He went on to say that 73 percent of mountain bikers have college degrees and the mean family income for a mountain biker is just over $100,000 per year. He stated that they are heavy travelers who like to stay in upscale hotels. They tend to be executives who often have a home office. One of the most encouraging things about mountain bikers is they tend to be family men, which means they often include their families in their trips. Schneider stated that one in five Americans 16 years of age and older own a mountain bike. There are now one and a half times more mountain bikers in the United States than golfers. He pointed out that the cost of constructing a mountain biking trail compared to other sports facilities is low and many municipalities are building them at city parks. Schneider stated that most bikers want a single track trail, which is a narrow trail that only allows for single file riding. Montgomery County is the perfect terrain for mountain biking and is the only county in the world that can boast of three Epic IMBA Trails within its borders. Schneider explained that trails have to meet a strict criteria to be named an Epic Trail by IMBA. Montgomery County is home to the Ouachita Trail, the LOViT Trail and the Womble Trail. The trails are also included in the Hot Springs Ride Center destination. He explained that a ride center took into consideration accomodations available for mountain bikers. Schneider pointed out that the biggest need Montgomery has regarding serving mountain bikers may be shuttle services. He explained that the trails in the area are directional trails and much like the canoe services in the area, a shuttle service to and from the trails would be a big help to visiting bikers. A handful of businesses mentioned that they did offer shuttle services. Blue Bell Store, Echo Canyon and Ouachita River Haven stated that they provided shuttle services for mountain bikers. Schneider stated that it was the perfect job for a retiree. When someone needs a ride, they just give them a call. He also stated that the area needed an outdoor outfitting business that was staffed with bicycle repairment and equipment. Guides, maps and signs were also mentioned as needs. He pointed out that one of the biggest obstacles Montgomery County faces when it comes to receiving a ride center status is amenities for riders. He acknowledged that there were some nice places to stay, but the lack of restaurants and brew pubs and other such types of entertainment prevented the county from receiving ride center status.
    Representatives from ARCO suggested that they might work with IMBA to create a regional ride center which included Polk County as well. Schneider stated that mountain biking season runs from October to April or May, which is traditionally the off season for tourism in the area. Carr of Shangri-La Resort stated that they had been catering to bikers for some time and it had been a huge boost to their business. Representatives from Mountain Harbor Resort shared similar successes. Schneider stated that with mountain bikers being very active on social media it was important for area businesses and organizations to actively promote local trails on social media. Robert Cavanaugh stated that the Ouachita Trail is home to the Ouachita Challenge. The race fields 500 riders every year, which he added brought a lot of money into the area. He challenged the Mount Ida Area Chamber of Commerce to get involved in the race next year. Schneider stated that there is a lot of buzz in the mountain biking community about Montgomery County and their three Epic Trails.
    As talk turned to local needs, Jennifer Sweeney emphasized the importance of tourism for the local economy. She reported that in 2013 there were just under 10,000 people living and working in Montgomery County. In that same amount of time over 100,000 tourists visited the county. For many years Montgomery County has been known for Lake Ouachita and the local crystal mines, but it is evident that mountain biking is a growing part of the local tourist economy. Trail keepers stated that the community needs to recognize the value of mountain bikers when they come into the area. They also stated that they needed more volunteers to help maintain the trails. They key is for area businesses and organizations to work together to reach the mountain bikers where they are. Once you draw them to the local trails then we have to make sure they have a great experience so they will come back. Facebook


The Traildogs even constructed this thermo-plastic bridge -very impressed. Old Hwy 270 - Shangri-La Rd. Photo taken Oct. 3rd 2015. Lake Ouachita water level 568ft. May 26th 2015 the lake level was 586ft i.e. 18ft higher.

Twin Creek October 2015. Has a picnic area with flush toilets, a boat ramp, fishing pier and drinking water. Looking east from Twin Creek you can see Hickory Nut Mountain, has two humps.
Denby Point does not have a picnic area only campsites and Tompkins Bend is closed for the season in fall but there is the LOVIT trail with restrooms.

 

The Herald (Mt. Ida) June 11, 1936 The First Stone Business Buildings
The first stone business buildings were erected in 1912. The fronts and West side was built of cut sandstone, which was quarried on the mountain side south of Mt. Ida, and the other walls of field stone. The four store buildings were financed by the Mount Ida Investment company, a Corporation organized, under the Laws of Arkansas, by L.L. Beavers. Construction was under the supervision and direction of John Kohn, a stone cutter and mason. The officers and stockholders of the Corporation were: Dr. L.L. Kennedy, President; C.J. Watkins, Vice President; L.L. Beavers, Secretary and Treasurer; Gibson Witt, W.D. Freeman, W.I. Hovell and J.D. Whittington. These buildings are now occupied by J.H. Alley, Lee Jackson and William Davis.

Montgomery Co. ARGenWeb