The Shannon County Museum's Fall History Program, held Oct. 13, was well-attended, report museum officials. Presenters Ben Timson and Ruth Maxwell shared the history of the rise and fall of the now-extinct village of Cedar Grove, which was on the upper Current River 8 miles above Akers.
“It was interesting to learn about the families and people who made Cedar Grove a thriving village back in the early 1900s,” shared Judy (Maggard) Stewart with the museum. “It grew from one store, a post office and a school, to more, plus two blacksmith shops. Then, the boom of lumber days and the use of Current River to transport the lumber down stream came to an end and finally people had to move from the village for lack of a way to make a living.”
Descendants of some of the village’s old families still live in the area, but the post office closed in 1957 and there is no longer a store there, she added.
There is an Ozark National Scenic Riverways campground near the river and Big Rock Candy Mountain Bar and Grill about a mile west of Cedar Grove on B Highway. All that remains of Cedar Grove are some foundations.
Maxwell won the door prize, a tumbler engraved with "Shannon County Museum" donated from Ryan and Bridget Liggett pf C and L Saddle Shop in Eminence. Renee Rowden served refreshments with hot cider.
“We hope to give more programs similar to this one of other villages along the Current and Jacks Fork River,” said Stewart. “Thank you to all who came and helped with this event. You are helping preserve the past for the future.”
