Opinions
James McClurg, who in 1842 carved the Salt Road through the Ozarks wilderness from Jacksonport, Arkansas, to Springfield, Missouri, also served as a US Congressman and later as Missouri governor. He died in 1900 and is buried in Lebanon City Cemetery, where his grave is marked by this impressive marker.
Editor’s note: This is the conclusion of Wayne Sayles’ story about the Old Salt Road, a rugged trail carved through the Ozarks by Joseph McClurg in 1842 to transport salt he had purchased in New Orleans to be sold in the market in Springfield. McClurg shipped the salt by steamboat to Jacksonport,...
Jessi Dreckman
As this edition is printed and delivered to the office Wednesday morning, I’ll be spending my last day in the Ozark County Times office as a newspaper reporter. Thursday begins a new chapter in my life as I transition to a new career as a high school English teacher in the Lutie School District for...
Ozark County Presiding Commissioner John Turner accompanied writer Wayne Sayles to the spot where the Old Salt Road crossed the Little North Fork of the White River at Sand Rock, shown here. The pair then traveled on to the crossing called Slick Rock, which they discovered was aptly named.
Editor’s note: Part 2 of The Old Salt Road, published in last week’s Times, ended with the road nearingwhat is now HH Highway at Isabella, which became a prominent community near the end of the 19th century. This week, in part 3, we follow the Old Salt Road northwest toward the Little North Fork...
Andy and Jane Elder, 1967
Editor’s note: To read more of retired Gainesville educator Jane Elder’s blog, Ozark Road, visit gainesvillemo.blogspot.com.
Sunday, I turned 74. One year away from three-quarters of a century. It was also my 52nd anniversary. Yes, I was married on my birthday. I thought it would make it easier...
Wayne Sayles
Last week’s column ended in 1842, when 30-year-old Joseph Washington McClurg was working with his father-in-law as a merchant and lead miner at Hazelwood, which is in Wright County near its border with Douglas County. To deal with the dramatically rising salt prices in the region, McClurg launched...
Andy and Jane Elder, 1967
Editor’s note: To read more of retired Gainesville educator Jane Elder’s blog, Ozark Road, visit gainesvillemo.blogspot.com.
Sunday, I turned 74. One year away from three-quarters of a century. It was also my 52nd anniversary. Yes, I was married on my birthday. I thought it would make it easier...
Wayne Sayles
Last week’s column ended in 1842, when 30-year-old Joseph Washington McClurg was working with his father-in-law as a merchant and lead miner at Hazelwood, which is in Wright County near its border with Douglas County. To deal with the dramatically rising salt prices in the region, McClurg launched...
Lonnie High
With all the modern conveniences coming at us so fast – things like cell phones, the internet and online shopping – it seems to me we are losing the joy of physically interacting with people.
When I go out to a restaurant, I see people looking at their phones instead of talking to each other. I’m...
Joseph McClurg
One of the great mysteries of Ozark County is the Old Salt Road, also known as McClurg’s Salt Road. Many living here today have heard of it, but most are unaware of its origin or its destination.
Active settlement of the Ozarks came on the heels of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and the subsequent...
Lonnie High
With all the modern conveniences coming at us so fast – things like cell phones, the internet and online shopping – it seems to me we are losing the joy of physically interacting with people.
When I go out to a restaurant, I see people looking at their phones instead of talking to each other. I’m...