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Blog buddies in Searcy Arkansas, can you help this Texas lady? I know you love a mystery.

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

The house shown below sold because of pictures on the internet.  Beverly Jackson from Texas found it, called it a 1925 Arts and Craft Bungalow, fell in love with it and bought it.  It closed in February of this 2010 year.  That's the power of the internet! 

She did not buy it from me but she found me on the internet with this blog and called me.  She thinks that with all the knowledge that you Searcy historians have you might be able to help her with her family history.

Here's what she wrote to me after talking on the phone.

"I just spoke with you regarding a possible ancestor, W. E. Word, who I understand was the owner of Word's Grocery in Searcy Arkansas.

I understand his store was located at the NE corner of Spring and Center Streets, which is where the Plaza Theater was located in the 1930's.  Any history of the W. E. or W. M. Word family might help my genealogical search.  Also, any pictures of the building housing his grocery store (prior to the Plaza Theater period, would be an amazing find for me.  There is an article in the White County Heritage, 2008 entitled Old Landmarks of Searcy, which briefly describes Word's Grocery.  It also indicated Mr. Word had a 'black cat' as his symbol, adding: 'The cat came back and so do all who trade with W. E. Word.'  I would appreciate anything you or anyone may have to offer.

We are the new owners of the 1925 Arts and Craft bungalow located at 510 N Spring Street (corner of Spring and Academy). This house used to be owned by Dr. Raymond W. Toler, DDS, in the early 1900's. Thanks so much."

Now I know that several of you are super sleuths and love a challenge.  If you know of anything that may help her we all may benefit.  Here's the house.

Spring Street Arts and Crafts Bungalow

Comments (13)

Paula Swayne
Dunnigan, Realtors, Sacramento (916) 425-9715 - Sacramento, CA
Realtor-Land Park, East Sac & Curtis Park -Dunniga

Hi Barbara!

While I don't have any information, I have to commend you and this nice lady for an innovative use of the Rain!  I have to believe someone will come through with some great history! I will be watching!

May 14, 2010 02:21 PM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Paula, thanks so much.  Perhaps the buddies will come through.  They love a challenge.  And they love Searcy history.

May 14, 2010 02:59 PM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Godmother,

There would be an investigatory fee involved but I can solve any mysterious.

Nutsy

May 14, 2010 03:27 PM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Barbara, it looks to me that someone needs to put the center two supports back in :)

May 14, 2010 04:04 PM
Anonymous
SHS 51

I can't help very much. Linked is a list of 1931 telephone subscribers that shows Word Grocery
and Word, W. E.: http://files.usgwarchives.org/ar/white/history/searcyph.txt . At least we know the store existed in 1931.

The three families that lived in the houses across the street from the bungalow were Armitage, Manes, and Neal. I envied the girls from these families; Martha Armitage, Mary Frances Manes, and Charlotte Neal; because they only had to walk a block and a half to school when the first three grades were next to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church on East Race. The four of us were in first grade together and also graduated together. (Hope there's helpful clue in there somewhere. These families plus Dr. Toler should be grouped together in the 1940 census.)

Bob C.

May 14, 2010 04:09 PM
#5
Anonymous
Anita Fuller

Wish I could help but I don't remember any Words......except those who lived in "The Dictionary", across from the spring park.  Called that because the Words lived there.  We've blogged about it before, not too long ago.

In my 1957 phone book:   Mrs. W.E. Word lived at 201 E. Park, phone 527.

I would think Glen Toler would be a good source of info about the house.  He is a member of the WCHS and has written articles and a little booklet about growing up in Searcy.

Bob or Don:  do a Google map thingee of this street, please.  

 

 

 

May 15, 2010 02:08 AM
#6
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Godmother,

Ignore the center two supports, just don't walk under there. Assume it is like walking under a ladder with a workman six stories above. Mr Charles is paranoid and he does not dress as interesting as you and me.

Nutsy

May 15, 2010 03:03 AM
Anonymous
Anita Fuller

Guys, don't bother.  I found it all by myself.  With the help of my husband.  I don't go those Google maps very well.

 

May 15, 2010 03:05 AM
#8
Don Thompson
Donthomp Associates - Sunnyvale, CA

Here's what the Google Man sees.

Toler House

May 15, 2010 03:35 AM
Kate Kate
San Diego, CA

Black Cat is more interesting than Nutsy in a hot dog or rooster get-up.

May 15, 2010 03:51 AM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Nutsy, you do my investigating for free, remember????

Charles, you are so picky.  Those were probably made that way to set a flower pot on.  Even Nutsy would have known that.

Bob, you helped a lot.  Thanks.

Don, thanks also!

Anita, you're going to learn to walk with Mr. Google yet.  I did and so can you.  However, you have to watch your step or you'll end up on another street with your head spinning.

Kate, be nice!

May 15, 2010 06:18 AM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Spring Street house in 1974

A blog friend brought in this photograph made in 1974 of this house.  He thinks there may hav been ice on the streets.  What do you think?  Looks like one big tree had to go. 

May 18, 2010 09:40 AM
Anonymous
Marian

New Social Network Site for White County Ar. www.whitecountysearcy.com

Nov 10, 2011 07:59 AM
#13