Early Saw Mills of Benton, Carroll, and Madison Counties

Noted Historian and Author, June Westphal, to Speak at Hobbs State Park on Early Saw Mills of Benton, Carroll, and Madison Counties

In the years following the Civil War more than a dozen sawmill operations spread out across the timberland of the western half of Carroll County, northern Madison County, and parts of Benton County.  This tree-covered wilderness offered ample opportunity to make a good life and a good living providing the materials to rebuild after destruction caused by the war.

When Eureka Springs began with a great rush of people to an encampment in this wilderness, the need for building materials dramatically increased as hundreds of new structures were built practically overnight.  Some names of sawmill operators were already well known in the region such as Benjamin Woodruff, Daniel Bradley, Franziska Massman, as well as Wesley Kelly, Judge A.B. Greenwood, and Peter Van Winkle.

Out of this came stories of interesting people and happenings:  Mrs. Massman, the tiny woman who ran her sawmill business “as well as any man”; Benjamin Woodruff, who had close family ties with Peter Van Winkle; and well-known Circuit Court Judge A.B. Greenwood, pioneer of Bentonville who also shared in a story of national interest.  These are but a few samples of all that June Westphal brings to the listener as well as a presentation of photographs of sawmill operations.

Westphal, co-author of two books on the history of Eureka Springs, comes from a pioneer family that spans nine generation in the Arkansas Ozarks from pre-territorial days to the present.  She was a founder of the Eureka Springs Historical Museum in 1971, and currently serves as executive director emeritus.  June received the Lifetime Spirit Award from the Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce in 2011.

Where:  Hobbs State Park visitor center located on Hwy 12 just east of the Hwy.12/War Eagle Road intersection
When:    April 4th      2:00 p.m.
Cost:      Free  –   The public is invited
For more information call:  479-789-5000

To learn more about upcoming Friends of Hobbs speakers and other park programs, go to the web site: http://www.friendsofhobbs.com/