Jimmie Driftwood overlooking construction of the Ozark Folk Center.
This Ozark Folk Center 50th Anniversary Legacy Photo is in memory of our grandfathers
who brought us here as kids.
Love, Jenn Ballard and Laura Horton, members of the Committee of One Hundred
We have heard countless stories of young people fondly remembering visiting the Ozark Folk Center with their parents and grandparents. These memories led some youngster to play musical instruments, study crafts, and learn herbal gardening. Yes, the Folk Center has had a tremendous economic impact and it has also, truly, perpetuated the folk culture of the Ozarks.
Lauren Horton visited the Folk Center with her grandfather,
Barden Lamb, when she was a little girl.
The Ozark Folk Center State Park came about as an economic development initiative. At the time, and for decades prior, agricultural extension agents were involved in the development of tourism, cottage industries such as crafts, or anything that could help poor rural areas. Lloyd Westbrook was the county agricultural agent and is still remembered fondly in Stone County.
During his 2003 interview with Dr. Brooks Blevins, Westbrook said, “The average per capita income in 1961 was...lower than many South American countries at the time.”[i] Of course, families also farmed, raised cattle, hunted, and lived frugally so “making do” was a way of life. When looking at the 1959 census data Arkansas has an average per capita income of $1,125.00.[ii]
In the past decade, Stone County has moved up to 48th out of 75 counties. While other factors for Stone County’s economic improvement, such as Blanchard Springs Caverns, and the growth of tourism are part of the county’s economic growth, John Morrow, Ozark Folk Center State Park superintendent, states, “In the last 20 years alone, 2.5 million visitors have spent over $32 million at the Ozark Folk Center.”
For visitors and those of us fortunate enough to live in this creative community, we owe a debt of gratitude to the folks who worked so hard to make the Ozark Folk Center a reality. The preservation of folk culture, the creative people attracted to the area, and the resulting small businesses have made a great quality of life based on one of Arkansas original creative economies.
Entry by Lenore Shoults with input from John Morrow and special thanks to Dr. Brooks Blevins for his 2003 research and oral histories.
[i] https://home.lyon.edu/mslibrary/rcol/westbrook.htm [ii] https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/pc-s1-supplementary-reports/pc-s1-48.pdf
The Committee of One Hundred Tribute Wall recognizes contributions to the preservation of Ozark folk culture.
If you would like to help preserve the folk culture of the Ozarks, consider a
The Committee is made up entirely of volunteers so, except for transaction fees, all of your donation funds music, craft, or the herb gardens and, as a 501c3 entity
your donation is tax deductible!
GREAT!