James Whitlow has sent us another picture for this blog. It is one that I have never seen and indicates that in 1908 a Mr. Farris had a transportation company. Perhaps he transported folks up or down river by boat? Or he transported freight. Writing on the front says it is in Judsonia ARK. Thanks, James.
Wonder where this was in Judsonia?
Would that be Farris' Ferry?
That would be The Little Red River. Before the dam, the river was much larger and warmer. I have floated down that river many times sitting in a tractor inner tube. Popular river for trotline fishing. A trotline is a strong cord or rope stretched across the river and weighted down by rocks so it hovers above the bottom. Hooks on about 18 in. of leader are tied about every 2 ft. along the cord. The baited hooks are sure to snag a few catfish, Drum, Buffalo, and gar during the night. I have fished the Little Red many times with my father in the 40's.
I remember fishing Little Red River, also. We would get jugs and tie a 2 or 3 foot line on it. Then bait it with what ever we could find that usually stank. I remember one time going to the grocery store and buying bars of Ivory Soap and using chunks of that. Not sure where that idea came from but it worked. We would put the jugs in the river and let the current take them downstream and follow in a boat. When a jug would start bouncing we knew we had a catfish.
Gary, we are getting some great old pictures on this blog.
Don and Harold Gene, thanks for those fishing lessons. Can you imagine the kids of today figuring out how to have fun of that type. And Don, it has always been a bit confusing to me regarding Judsonia and the River. I never think of it as a river town but I guess it was.
Mary, the folks do appear to be preparing to travel on the boat. The lady appears to be dressed up. I appreciate our new friend sharing the picture with us.
Don, is that the bridge that connects Judsonia to Kensett and that has been closed for a few years? And are those sewer ponds or something? I'm still puzzled.
The ponds are the LITTLE RED RIVER FISH FARMS INC a Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers.
The two bridges are the Judsonia railroad bridges. The one on left is the vehicular traffic bridge.
The Judsonia bridge, Built 1924 by the R. L. Gaster Construction Co. of Little Rock , is significant as the only known swing bridge in Arkansas designed as a cantilever. Besides adding an aesthetic touch, the cantilever-like peak on the top of the bridge structurally aids in centering the weight over the center pivot and supporting the ends when the bridge is in an open position. In addition, the bridge was part of a national modernizing movement to improve roads giving the town of Judsonia access to outlying regions on the opposite side of the river. It is closed for rehabilitation.
Don, that's good info. Did we do a blog one time about that bridge? And is it the one that connects to Kensett?
I think the bridge that Don shows in the picture is the bridge on old Hwy 67 between Searcy and Junsonia. This was the highway to Judsonia when we were growing up before East Race was extended. It is now Davis Drive and goes past the Fair Grounds. As I recall, the bridge between Judsonia and Kenset was a single span without any post in the middle of the river.
Harold Gene, then that would have been the one torn down very near the present VFW Club? You and Don duke it out on which bridge it is.
The bridge next to the old railway bridge is Kensett Rd. Go due South for 3.3 miles and you're in Kensett.
Don, you made me go to GoogleEarth and check those bridges. The second one must be the railroad trestle? GoogleEarth is so helpful.
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