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Corner of McRae and Sowell Streets Searcy AR

By Barbara S. Duncan

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

January 19, 2011 12:40 PM

These kids were playing in the yard in the 40's. The private street that you are seeing led to the corner of Sowell and McRae, in Searcy Arkansas, a square corner. In the distance you can see a house that is still there and lived in. It was a rock house with a huge barn, outbuildings, a garden and everything you'd need to be country.

McRae and Sowell Sts

Time goes on. The barn is gone. But today the rock house is still there. There is a newer brick house beside it. The brick house is a 50's ranch house.

McRae Street, Searcy AR

Here's a closer view of the rock house.

McRae Street, Searcy AR

And here, photo made a little earlier, is the rock house with all its strength. A craftsman who could do a great combination of rock and brick built so many of these rock houses in White County. Once you are aware of the skill that went into them, you'll see them everywhere. We need to have a book about rock and brick houses in White County.

rock house McRae St Searcy AR

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Debbie Wantulok

Oh! Oh! I know this house! It is really amazing to see the transformation over the years. It makes one feel rather ancient. I know what is today Chenal Parkway in west Little Rock, Arkansas with all of the big nice homes and businesses was my grandfather's "turkey woods". Yep that is where he went turkey hunting. The only thing out there were the TV towers and a forest fire look out post. I guess one could joke and say it might still be full of "turkeys". I don't live there so I guess I won't say that. It sure looks a lot different now though.

Jan 19, 2011 04:14 PM

Luke Jones

I can't say if the people shopping up in Chenal are turkeys, but they certainly are zipping around like turkeys with their heads chopped off most of the time.

Jan 20, 2011 02:43 AM

I haven't been out but I imagine people all over the state are "zipping" around awkwardly with all this winter weather. It is beautiful. I expect Barbra will not disappoint and have some more white pictures to share. Hope everyone is safe.

Jan 20, 2011 06:54 AM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Debbie, change is amazing everywhere. I promise that as you study this little rock house and start driving around you'll see them everywhere. Supposedly there was a one-armed rock layer who did a lot of them. Lots of them are short, like this one, so the rock didn't have to be lifted so high.

Luke and Debbie, I took no snow pictures! Hope the two of you did.

Jan 20, 2011 01:41 PM

You know I never thought of it before but they do appear to be low houses. I have noticed several rock houses in the area but I just assumed it was because rock was readily available making it low cost. Am I wrong or are the houses really small in square footage also. I guess they were beginning to conserve energy? I like 10 foot ceilings but they are difficult to keep warm and free of drafts.

I took snow pictures but I like to take pictures of trees. I guess I have monkey in my blood...or squirrel...I even take pictures of dead trees. I guess I am by trees like you are by houses.

I can't imagine working with one arm in the business of rock laying. I tore my rotator cuff and found it difficult to even eat. He must have been very talented. Does anyone have a name? Was he native to the area or contracted in for a time? I wonder if he signed his work in some way like quilters?

Jan 20, 2011 03:03 PM

Debbie, when you have time go to this article. http://www.masonrymagazine.com/8-07/nation.html

It is an article about Silas Owens Sr. who built a lot of the rock and brick homes around Arkansas. Whether he built the ones around Searcy, we don't yet know but he must have been a strong influence on all the ones we see that are so similar. I do want to someday take my camera and snap pictures of all the rock cottages that I come across.

Jan 21, 2011 01:53 PM

Thanks - I will.

Jan 22, 2011 05:59 AM

Dana McGary

Crye-Leike Champion Real Estate Group, Searcy, Arkansas - Searcy, AR

Realtor - White County, Arkansas

Love the rock/brick cottages! My uncle Jimmie Fuller (married to my Grandma's sister) has told that he helped work on many of those as a teenager. I will have to ask him about that again. Also, I have heard that type rock called Fieldstone and Flagstone. Do you know which is correct?

Jan 25, 2011 05:41 AM

Dana, be sure to ask him if he heard about a one-armed rock mason. Everytime I drive by one of these houses I think I need to start snapping pictures. I don't know the difference in Fieldstone and Flagstone.

Jan 25, 2011 01:33 PM

Linda Tucke

I just happened to stumble on your web site and then when I saw this house, I just had to email you. This house belonged to my Grandfather,Bud and Flosie Hall. They have sinced passed, but I still love to go by this house. I have spent many a night on the huge back area that at one time it was screened in and then my grandad went and put windows in the place of the screen. Liked it better with the screens.

Linda Whiteman Tucker

May 26, 2011 08:18 AM

#10

Linda, I lived right beside your grandparents. They were so nice and I remember a few of the Whiteman kids. Fact is, I had your parent's house listed....the one on E Race Street which is now long gone. I need to see if I could find a picture of it!! I'm glad you liked the blog.

May 26, 2011 11:03 AM

linda tucker

Let me look around and find out. I loved that house. My oldest sister Sharon may have one. I will let you know.

Linda

May 27, 2011 04:24 AM

#12

Thanks, Linda.

May 27, 2011 03:18 PM

Corner of McRae and Sowell Streets Searcy AR

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