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Ancient Structures: Nature Regains its Footing

Arkansas was a slow territory to develop into a state. It was seen as more of a way to the west, with few people stopping to settle in the rough terrain. Arkansas was too rocky in the north, swampy in the middle, and sandy in the south.

But occasionally a few intrepid settlers would stop and build a home. These are almost always initially fashioned out of rock since the state has such a large supply in hand. Many of these structures were located near water, and the largest centrally flowing body of water besides the Arkansas River was the Fourche Creek Watershed.

Very few of these structures still remain standing in any way resembling a home; the most indication we have that the area was ever inhabited is the occasional overgrown and dilapidated barbedwire fence. But occasionally we come across really cool, and slightly creepy, structures, just out in the woods waiting to be rediscovered.

This chimney was found in the woods close to the neighborhood of Brodie Creek, but not very far from where new development is taking place. The chimney still has ash in it, and the four corners of the house could be found. It had been a very small structure, and we also found evidence of a wooden porch.

Here is the chimney from across the creek. It was probably fifty feet tall with all the rocks and brick still held firmly in place. It was really, really cool and kind of spooky. But cool.

It is also a great example of how people used to use what was at hand to build their homes. These rocks were of all different shapes, sizes and varieties, but they were available for free, and very carefully placed together for maximum usage and heat conservation.

Next we literally fell over this old foundation for a home just off of Arch Street.

It was so over grown with ivy and weeds we almost didn’t see it until a team member noticed the brickwork. This too was small house, maybe even just a storage building.

There was evidence of entry stairs, and even a fire at some point. The interior brick in one wall was very black and smoky, and had been completely encased in stone and rock.

On a kayak expedition on the Fourche, we stumbled across this strange tower on the west side of Springer Avenue. We aren’t sure what its original purpose was, but the brickwork is still very solid.