Man & The Mountain

Mt. Magazine, the highest point in Arkansas, is known for its spectacular views and diverse (and rare) flora and fauna.  Approximately seven miles long and one mile wide, it juts 2200 feet above the surrounding landscape.

Due to its drastic change in elevation, there is a distinct difference in the weather on Mt. Magazine when compared to the surrounding Arkansas and Petit Jean river valleys.

But that did not stop the early settlers from building homesteads on the mountain.  Homesites on the Mt. Magazine date back to at least the 1850's.  Even then, it was also seen as the perfect place to vacation.

In the early 1900's, a complete town was laid-out at the top of Mt. Magazine.  During this time period, two hotels were in operation on the mountain.  These hotels were ever popular with tourist wanting to escape the heat of the summer. 

One resort that developed on Mt. Magazine during this period was Buckman's.  As the diagram at left shows, the resort was a fairly large undertaking, with cabins, a croquet court, and a large, in-ground pool.

However, the major problem with the town, as had been the problem suffered by the homesteads on Mt. Magazine, was a lack of water.  Even deep wells dug on the mountain would go dry during the summer. 

The final blow for the  highest town in Arkansas was the Great Depression.  People abandoned their land as the depression worsened and the buildings on Mt. Magazine quickly deteriorated from a lack of maintenance.

In 1934, the Federal government acquired Mt. Magazine under the Resettlement Administration for non-payment of taxes.  Between 1938 and 1941, the WPA built a 27-room lodge, a restaurant, an amphitheater, 18 cabins and camping and picnic areas.

In 1964, the USGS recorded the mountain's elevation as 2,753 feet above sea level.

Strong local and regional support soon developed to rebuild the lodge.  The Mt. Magazine Association, a group of interested business owners and volunteers, was formed to further this goal.  The following is a timeline of the events:

1975 - The U. S. Forest Service completed a feasibility study

1976 - The Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism completed a feasibility study

1977 - Arkansas Governor Pryor and U. S. Senator Dale Bumpers made a formal request to turn Mt. Magazine over to the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism - A resolution was passed by the Arkansas General Assembly and approved by Governor Pryor to support this request

1979 - An Environmental Impact Study (EIS) was completed by the U. S. Forest Service with an approved alternative for development.  However, the Forest Service did not have the funding for development.

1983 - The Arkansas General Assembly authorized development of a park atop Mt. Magazine and the Department of Parks & Tourism developed a prospectus.

1986 - The Record of Decision for the  EIS for the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests Land and Resources Management Plan allowed for state park development on Mt. Magazine through land exchange or permit.

1989 - A unique partnership was formed between the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism and the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests.  A special use permit was issued to allow Arkansas to build and operate a State Park on National Forest land pending the outcome of an updated EIS.

The newest Arkansas State Park - Mt. Magazine State Park - is truly a joint effort of concerned individuals at the local, state and national levels.