The Bustling Metropolis: Leslie, Arkansas

Welcome to the site dedicated to the history of Leslie, Arkansas

At its epoch, Leslie Arkansas was one of the largest cities in Northern Arkansas.

" A nice little city of the Second Class, with a population of more than 2000, and with factories, flouring mills, ice factory and cold storage, electric light plant, also at this place is located the Export Cooperage Company Plants of about $2,000,000.00 and as this is the center of a large territory, bids fair to become the metropolis of that part of the state. There are also good schools, one school house with 5 rooms, a new $20,000.00 brick school building one $17,000.00 church, two other good churches, thus making Leslie a desirable place to live, and with the large pay roll from the Export Cooperage Company, every 2 weeks, makes this little city a business center of North Arkansas." --- Edwards, A.C. " Elberta Fruit Farm"

Leslie, Arkansas: Early 1900's

Elberta Fruit Farm (1910-1911)

The Elberta Fruit Farm was the largest fruit orchard in the area. The Farm itself produced thousands of bushels of fruit. The farm contained over 20,000 fruit trees which include:

15,000 Apple
5000 Peach
1000 Pear
1000 Various other Fruits

(Elberta Fruit Farm)

Whiskey Barrel Factory (1902-1923)

One of the things that Leslie was more famous for was the great whiskey barrel factory.

In an exclusive interview with Benson Fox, a local of Leslie, Arkansas, he quoted, "holds pretty good stuff yes they do" (Fox). By Benson Fox's account, the big mill was established around 1902 and remained in business until around 1923. He says that there was around 1700 workers that were employed at the mill. 600 of which worked out in the woods, logging trees for materials (Whiskey Barrel Factory).

This is one of the remaining samples of whiskey barrels made in Leslie. According to Benson Fox, many of the barrels were shipped to Europe so wine could be stored in them.

The Whittling Capital of America

“ It’ s Leslie, Arkansas, deep in the Ozark Mountain Country— a fabulous land where men stalk bees with flour and sugar water, moonshiners still dodge the revenuers, and dog owners race their singing hounds against foxes.” - Burman, Ben Lucien. “ Whittling Capital of America.” Collier’ s Sept. 2, 1955.

Pictured above are large groups of whittlers. In any part of the day, one could go outside and see large groups of people carving out pieces of wood. Many became very skilled whittlers. Whittling is an art, as well as a favorite hobby (Whittlers).

Benson Fox (pictured to the left) is still a serious whittler. He has written many articles about the joys of whittling and the misconception that many have for the underestimated pastime (Fox).

Benson Fox is 85 years old. He was born in Searcy County, Arkansas and has lived there most of his life. He has worked several different occupations: mill work, timber work, packing houses, saw mills, and has even farmed. I'd like to thank Mr. Fox for his time and trouble.

Bibliography

A list of sites to research in historic Arkansas: >

• Arkansas History Commission