Aug. 23, 2025: TIMES PAST compiled by Sue Ann Jones
Restaurant and tourist cabins, Gainesville, circa 1950 These post card photos, probably from 1949 or 1950, show the restaurant and “tourist cabins” that operated on what is now County Road 806 west of the Ozark County Sheriff’s Office and directly across from the Ozark County Ambulance base. The business later included an automobile-service station. Its beginning and some of its owner history are described in the 1948 - 1962 items in this week’s Times Past, below. The cabins have been demolished, but the former restaurant is now a private home.
Ozark County News
Aug. 14, 1890
Ad. – I will remain one month at Bakersfield and am interested in treating Cancers, Ulcers &c. Give me a call. Dr. E. E. Taber
Aug. 29, 1895
G. M. Gordon is making preparations to erect a distillery on his ranch six miles West of town. A better site could not be found, considering that water supply is the main object.
Ozark County Times
Aug. 28, 1925
Isabella items – Pawpaw hunting is the go.
W. A. Elliott and Ranse McCullah have their mill in J. W. Jones' store building. You can now get flour or meal from them.
Aug. 28, 1930
The Great Drouth of 1930 will go down in history as one of the most serious calamities which ever befell the United States. . . . there has been no rainfall, or none of consequence, in an area which covers nearly one-third of the United States, for weeks. . . . It makes little difference in some important regions whether rain comes now or not. The damage has been done.
Bakersfield News
Sept. 5, 1940
Mr. Frank Arnett was in town Tuesday displaying a cotton bole and some said it was a hickory nut and some said it was a May apple. Nevertheless, Mr. Arnett is having some fun with it. Mr. Arnett says his crops are the best he has had in years.
Ozark County Times
July 22, 1948
A new group of tourist cabins are under construction at the outskirts of Gainesville… west of the city limits. The cabins are being constructed by J. B. [Jenks] Taylor, former owner of Taylor's Cafe in Gainesville, and will consist of 6 units … completely modern. . . . It is hoped they will be ready for occupancy in time for the fall fishing season on Lake Norfork. [Ed.: Bull Shoals Lake was not yet impounded.]
Jan. 13, 1955
For sale: Taylor's Court & Cafe. 6 units, 4 singles 2 doubles, each with bath. Simmons all-metal furniture in A-1 condition. Gas heat, individually vented. Water from deep well. 5-room cafe building with 2 bedrooms. Service Station with 3 pumps leased to Knight Oil Co. nets about $5,000 per yr. Good opportunity as Hwy. 80 has recently been made U.S. Hwy. 160. Price $35,000. . . . 1050 cars pass daily. Floyd Davis, . . . St. Louis 19, Mo.
Feb. 22, 1962
The Taylor Motel west of Gainesville was sold at auction Monday to Bob Butler of West Plains for $15,500. . . . Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kline were the former owners.
Aug. 16, 1962
H. R. Crawford has purchased the former Taylor Court located on 160 highway from Bob Butler of West Plains. Mr. Crawford recently sold his store at Hardenville. Mr. Crawford . . . will change the name to the Crawford Court.
April 22, 1965
John and Rita Selvidge, who came to Ozark county in March from Colton, Calif., have purchased the Crawford Court west of Gainesville from Mr. and Mrs. Ray Crawford. . . . The purchase . . . included the motel, service station, cafe and liquor stock. The business has been renamed the Squirrel's Nest.
April 27, 1967
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Davis of Grandview have purchased the Squirrel's Nest, located west of Gainesville on 160 Highway, from Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Crawford of Hardenville.