Post by lanceslambos on Sept 12, 2012 14:48:17 GMT -6
introduction -
I've taken the liberty to pursue a project of protecting a unique area in Arkansas for future generations to enjoy. It all started when I inherited some things including a 162 year old journal from my great great grandfather. I quickly learned that he was a semi-famous pioneer preacher across 6 states from 1870 - 1933.
Then I found out that he was best known for establishing a spot called "Bluff Church" The more research I did the more I discovered about this little area in north west Arkansas off of present day Beaver Lake. Come to find out it was first a sacred Indian healing and camping ground before whites settled the state.
During the Civil War both armies used the area as a training ground around the time of the battle of Pea Ridge just a few miles away. There was a "skirmish" there if you could call it that. 21 Union soldiers captured 44 Confederates without firing a single shot. They tricked them by leading a deaf and dumb black man with a wagon full of white moonshine in front of the rebel camp. When they questioned him he of course could not respond so they arrested him and proceeded to get "gloriously drunk" when they had all passed out the Union troop moved in and caught them all by surprise.
There was a small grist mill there called Durham Mill so after the Civil War it became a popular community gathering place. My grandpa preached there for 62 years after the war ended. Above Durham Mill was the "Old Rock House" which was built by the first white man to live in Carroll and Madison counties. He was an Indian goods trader.
My grandpa started out preaching and baptizing a few hundred yards down stream from the Durham Mill and "Old Rock House" at Auger Falls which is only 15 - 20 yards downstream from the "scalds" At times he also preached in the Old Rock House which was actually being used as a barn by his neighbor at that time.
I am of course leaving out a lot of information but everything can be found in my recently published book available here -
www.lulu.com/shop/lance-sterling/bathed-in-bloodbaptized-in-love/paperback/product-20382651.html
I was down there last month and much to my surprise the spot was pristine. Yet just a few hundred yards downstream it was littered with broken glass, rusty hooks and various trash. There is graffiti painted on the rocks, etc.
But by some miracle alone the spot important to me and my family where all the action took place was completely unscathed though! I knew right away that something had to be done to protect it for future generations. I can't believe the area is not already protected somehow.
The valley is named Hogscald Hollow because the Indians, Confederate and Union armies and early pioneers would heat up iron implements and divert the water away from these holes in the river bed. Then they would heat the water up and scald their pigs in them which were usually wild razor- backs. I have never seen anything like these holes before. It's as if GOD took a giant cookie cutter and cut these into the solid limestone stream bed.
I have been in contact with numerous places including historical societies, libraries, the national park service, army corps. of engineers, etc. etc. Finally I have a parcel map and am in the process of getting the owners permission to proceed.
The area will / can qualify as either a historical spot or archeological spot. There are numerous tiny differences which I won't get into here but it has potential for either type of spot. If the owners decide to go with a historical spot than it will get on the National Register of Historic Places and signs will be erected around the vicinity and the owners will get a 20% federal tax credit every year. The downside though is that it would draw attention to itself and thus increase the possibility of vandalism.
If however the owners decide to go with an archeological site than no one would know it's there except law enforcement and state archeologists. No digging will be necessary as the remains of the Durham Mill and Old Rock House are mainly above ground. Numerous articles from 1886 - 1977 in my possession will verify its authenticity beyond the "period correct" structural remains. There is also a few caves on the premisses.
The downside to an archeological site is that there are no tax breaks for the land owners but the upside is that it will be protected by a "106 Archeology Review" which means that no roads, bridges, land developments, etc. can ever infringe on the property. This includes expansion of the lake by the Army Corps. of Engineers too.
I do not have pictures of the mill or house remains yet. It took me and my girlfriend all day just to figure out how to get across this deep gulch where the remains are. From there it's a pretty good hike through thick timber but I am of course going back soon and will try to get pics at that time.
;D picture time -
(some of these pictures were posted last month in another thread)
the creek area upstream of Auger Falls and the "scalds"
me and my 82 year old cousin who helped me find the area because he grew up out there not far from it.
the "Devil's Breakfast Table"
a stone step leading down to Bluff Church and more steps
remains of a foot-log at Bluff Church
the caves
my girlfriend taking a rest after hiking around out there
misc. natural beauty on the site
a 1977 painting by Helen Bittick of my grandpa preaching at Bluff Church
Auger Falls
where Beaver Lake runs into Hogscald Hollow
rock seats at Bluff Church
the choir loft ceiling at Bluff Church
the gulch we couldn't figure out how to cross to get to the mill and rock house
under the ledge of Auger Falls at Bluff Church
the baptism pool
ok so i had to lean backwards over this rock to get the following picture
a picture of me leaning back over the rock above to get the next picture lol
(this picture) now i'm confused which way is right side up because notice the stick on the ceiling? but then see the water running across bottom left of pic?
an old store and barn down the road
So as you can see it has a very unique stream and lots of natural beauty. If I can help protect this spot and save it for future generations I will really feel like I've accomplished something.
Thanks for viewing
I've taken the liberty to pursue a project of protecting a unique area in Arkansas for future generations to enjoy. It all started when I inherited some things including a 162 year old journal from my great great grandfather. I quickly learned that he was a semi-famous pioneer preacher across 6 states from 1870 - 1933.
Then I found out that he was best known for establishing a spot called "Bluff Church" The more research I did the more I discovered about this little area in north west Arkansas off of present day Beaver Lake. Come to find out it was first a sacred Indian healing and camping ground before whites settled the state.
During the Civil War both armies used the area as a training ground around the time of the battle of Pea Ridge just a few miles away. There was a "skirmish" there if you could call it that. 21 Union soldiers captured 44 Confederates without firing a single shot. They tricked them by leading a deaf and dumb black man with a wagon full of white moonshine in front of the rebel camp. When they questioned him he of course could not respond so they arrested him and proceeded to get "gloriously drunk" when they had all passed out the Union troop moved in and caught them all by surprise.
There was a small grist mill there called Durham Mill so after the Civil War it became a popular community gathering place. My grandpa preached there for 62 years after the war ended. Above Durham Mill was the "Old Rock House" which was built by the first white man to live in Carroll and Madison counties. He was an Indian goods trader.
My grandpa started out preaching and baptizing a few hundred yards down stream from the Durham Mill and "Old Rock House" at Auger Falls which is only 15 - 20 yards downstream from the "scalds" At times he also preached in the Old Rock House which was actually being used as a barn by his neighbor at that time.
I am of course leaving out a lot of information but everything can be found in my recently published book available here -
www.lulu.com/shop/lance-sterling/bathed-in-bloodbaptized-in-love/paperback/product-20382651.html
I was down there last month and much to my surprise the spot was pristine. Yet just a few hundred yards downstream it was littered with broken glass, rusty hooks and various trash. There is graffiti painted on the rocks, etc.
But by some miracle alone the spot important to me and my family where all the action took place was completely unscathed though! I knew right away that something had to be done to protect it for future generations. I can't believe the area is not already protected somehow.
The valley is named Hogscald Hollow because the Indians, Confederate and Union armies and early pioneers would heat up iron implements and divert the water away from these holes in the river bed. Then they would heat the water up and scald their pigs in them which were usually wild razor- backs. I have never seen anything like these holes before. It's as if GOD took a giant cookie cutter and cut these into the solid limestone stream bed.
I have been in contact with numerous places including historical societies, libraries, the national park service, army corps. of engineers, etc. etc. Finally I have a parcel map and am in the process of getting the owners permission to proceed.
The area will / can qualify as either a historical spot or archeological spot. There are numerous tiny differences which I won't get into here but it has potential for either type of spot. If the owners decide to go with a historical spot than it will get on the National Register of Historic Places and signs will be erected around the vicinity and the owners will get a 20% federal tax credit every year. The downside though is that it would draw attention to itself and thus increase the possibility of vandalism.
If however the owners decide to go with an archeological site than no one would know it's there except law enforcement and state archeologists. No digging will be necessary as the remains of the Durham Mill and Old Rock House are mainly above ground. Numerous articles from 1886 - 1977 in my possession will verify its authenticity beyond the "period correct" structural remains. There is also a few caves on the premisses.
The downside to an archeological site is that there are no tax breaks for the land owners but the upside is that it will be protected by a "106 Archeology Review" which means that no roads, bridges, land developments, etc. can ever infringe on the property. This includes expansion of the lake by the Army Corps. of Engineers too.
I do not have pictures of the mill or house remains yet. It took me and my girlfriend all day just to figure out how to get across this deep gulch where the remains are. From there it's a pretty good hike through thick timber but I am of course going back soon and will try to get pics at that time.
;D picture time -
(some of these pictures were posted last month in another thread)
the creek area upstream of Auger Falls and the "scalds"
me and my 82 year old cousin who helped me find the area because he grew up out there not far from it.
the "Devil's Breakfast Table"
a stone step leading down to Bluff Church and more steps
remains of a foot-log at Bluff Church
the caves
my girlfriend taking a rest after hiking around out there
misc. natural beauty on the site
a 1977 painting by Helen Bittick of my grandpa preaching at Bluff Church
Auger Falls
where Beaver Lake runs into Hogscald Hollow
rock seats at Bluff Church
the choir loft ceiling at Bluff Church
the gulch we couldn't figure out how to cross to get to the mill and rock house
under the ledge of Auger Falls at Bluff Church
the baptism pool
ok so i had to lean backwards over this rock to get the following picture
a picture of me leaning back over the rock above to get the next picture lol
(this picture) now i'm confused which way is right side up because notice the stick on the ceiling? but then see the water running across bottom left of pic?
an old store and barn down the road
So as you can see it has a very unique stream and lots of natural beauty. If I can help protect this spot and save it for future generations I will really feel like I've accomplished something.
Thanks for viewing
