Wilson, Arkansas - Old Company Town

On a recent Saturday drive in the country we decided to visit the old agricultural company town of Wilson, Arkansas.  Here is an interesting link about Wilson with the new owner's plans for the community. http://nyti.ms/19Gk821.

 

Wilson is located in the Arkansas Delta in Mississippi County on the Great River Road.

The city was started in 1886 by Robert E Lee Wilson.

In the beginning it was a logging/sawmill town.

After the logging was completed the fertile soils began producing cotton.

 

Cotton is still king around Wilson.

 

Tudor revival architectural style buildings.

 

The Wilson Café

The new owner of Wilson brought in a chef from Memphis.

 

Cortez Kennedy, former NFL defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks grew up in Wilson.

 

Chicken and dressing with fried okra at the Wilson Café.

 

OMG - Donut Bread Pudding for dessert.

 

The Hampson Archeological Museum State Park

 

 

Traveling north on Highway 61 there are several lovely old homes.

 

 

 

If you are ever traveling on Highway 61 (or I-55) in Mississippi County, Arkansas, stop in and visit Wilson and maybe enjoy a bite at the Wilson Café.

You won't be disappointed.

 

♥andPeace,Myra

Boyhood Home of Johnny Cash

Today was the grand opening of the Johnny Cash boyhood home, Dyess, Arkansas. My husband and I were in the area back in the spring and saw the outside of the house but it wasn't open for tours. Today was the grand opening so we were able to tour the inside.

The house is part of the Dyess Colony.

History of the Dyess Colony can be found on the internet for those interested.

We also visited the colony headquarters which is now a museum with lots of information about the colony as well as the most famous former resident, Johnny Cash.

A swing on the porch invitess you to sit a spell.

Dining room with old ice box.

 

Lots of old quilts on the beds. I love the old floor covering.

Arrangement on the piano

The Historic Dyess Colony/Boyhood Home of Johnny Cash is an Arkansas State University Heritage Site.

 

♥andPeace,Myra

Dale Chihuly - Clinton Presidential Center

Last week I went to the Chihuly exhibit at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. I discovered my love of all things Chihuly years ago on a trip to the Seattle/Tacoma area. Since then I have had the opportunity of seeing several exhibits across the country.

 

The exhibit begins at the entrance of the Clinton Presidential Center.

Chihuly installations are often found outdoors.

 

Different perspectives of this installation can be had by walking all the way around the square.

Another View

 

Chihuly pieces remind me of nature.

To me this is a fanciful garden.

 

The "seaform sets" take me under the sea.

 

 

 

This Chihuly (above) is part of the permanent collection at the Clinton Presidential Center. It was made for the White House holiday season in 1999.

 

 

The restaurant Forty Two is located in the Presidential Center.

I highly recommend the food, the service and the view.

There is also dining outside on the terrace with views of the Arkansas River.

 

The restaurant offers lunch specials.

I had the cilantro grilled mahi with homemade chips.

 

♥andPeace,Myra

 

Freeway Emporium - Searcy, Arkansas

One of my favorite flea markets is the Freeway Emporium in Searcy, Arkansas. When traveling to Little Rock, and time allows, I stop in to see what is new.

The building is clean, comfortable and the booths are neat and well organized.

 

Visiting flea markets is like stepping back in time.

Just imagine the wonderful meals that were created using these utensils.

 

 

                                I can smell the chicken frying and the corn bread baking!
                           This booth has the largest collection of cast iron I've ever seen.

 

The milk paint/chalk paint fad dominated several of the booths.

I like to find old pieces and paint them myself with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

 

 

I have been collecting Early American Prescut by Anchor Hocking for years.

The green color is not as common as the clear.

I've run out of storage space so unless the piece is rare and priced to move I have to pass.

 

 

Typical booth with something for everyone.

 

I found a Hull pot for $3.50 and a botanical print in a cute frame for $5.00.

I'm always happy to find a piece of  McCoy or Hull pottery for a reasonable price.

 

Happy junking y'all!

 

♥andPeace,Myra