VBC VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORY
V.B.C.
History
The original settlers moved to this area from
eastern states. Pure water, mountains and virgin forests, plus the
availability of land through the Homestead Act, were the main
attractions. The county residents were ambitious and established
ownership, cleared the land, built homes, churches and schools.
Communities developed with post offices, drug stores, barber shops,
blacksmith shops, gins, grist mills and general merchant stores.
1890's General Store. Later moved to
Shirley
Everything was moved by horse power. Wagons and
other vehicles were pulled by oxen, mules or horses. Merchandise was
hauled from the nearest railroad town and produce like cotton and
other farm products were hauled to market by wagon. New comers were
most welcome. The men in the neighborhood would gather on a
designated day and have a "log rolling" to build dwellings, barns
and the like. The women would cook food for all the workers. Roads
were built much the same way. Each man would donate a designated
number of days each month to road building and maintainance.
Merchants, doctors and others who could not give time would hire
someone to work for them. The labor was by man power and horse
power.
Families doing their volunteer road
work.
Hotels were thriving businesses in many towns.
Travelers, salesmen, dentists and others were in need of
accommodations. Not only was food and bed available but cottage and
feed for animals.
Cotton had become the major cash source and gins
were operating in all larger communities. Timber was a good income
and saw mills were being set in most of the settlements. Harvested
cotton was baled and taken to Morrilton where buyers bid on it. It
took three days by wagon to get the bales to market. The trip
required camping and the sellers after selling their cotton had some
cash for buying supplies and shoes for the family before returning
home.
Corn, wheat, fruits and vegetables were grown.
The wheat was made into flour, the corn was for family bread and
animal food. Shucks were used to make mattresses, chairs and
baskets. Potatoes, turnips etc. were kept for the winter. A hole was
dug and straw was placed in the bottom, the vegetables were placed
in and covered by straw and dirt was piled on top. There were some
dug sellers used to store food and for storm protection.
Typical
early log home.
In the 1890's there were more than 100 one-room
schools in Van Buren County. They had been built three to five miles
apart so children would not have to walk too far. Up to this time
the schools had two short three month terms in the winter and
summer. The children were needed to work on the farms the rest of
the time.
Rural electrification was not established until
the 1930's. Kerosene lamps were used to replace candles by the early
settlers. Farm animals were necessary. Cattle produced milk and
meat, hogs were grown for meat and lard, sheep produced wool for
clothing, blankets, rugs etc. Chickens were raised for meat and
eggs, geese and ducks supplied feathers for pillows and beds.
Everything was grown because there was little cash to make
purchases.
1908, the
local railroad.
Reference: VBC
COUNTY
website.
In keeping with the purpose of this
site, I will be updating information as it is provided by individual
departments. Feel free to browse and become familiar
with the volunteers that serve your
community.
If you have any changes or new
information, Training, Special Events, News or Classified Adds you
would like listed, contact
Tonya Pruitt at 501-745-5079
email
me at: fftonya@vbcfire.com
Yahoo IM:
arkiecash
MSN IM: macknallysmom@hotmail.com
Be sure to
include your name, job assignment and department that you
represent.
****All
Departments are encouraged to update their information
regularly.****
On
behalf of Van Buren County, 911 Officers and Staff, I would like to
express our gratitude for your dedicated and continued
support. Your services are a vital part in the over all 911
Emergency Response
System. | 
