1915 – Surrounded Hill Church

1915 – Surrounded Hill Church

The Surrounded Hill Church of Christ, west of Newport and pictured here in 1915, was thought to be the oldest church in Jackson County, having been built in the 1850’s. There are many “surrounded hills” in the Arkansas Delta, which are low,...
1910’s – New Methodist Church

1910’s – New Methodist Church

This postcard shows the new Methodist church at the corner of Third and Beech Streets.  Built in a Greco-Roman style ( note the Doric columns supporting the pediment and the domed roof), this building still serves the local United Methodist congregation. ( Courtesy of...
1916 – Walnut Street School

1916 – Walnut Street School

The river flooded in February 916, emptying the new Walnut Street School, undoubtedly to the delight of the children.  Within a year, the City of Newport began in earnest to raise the existing low levees. But it was not until the late 1930’s, after two more...
1910’s – Gustave Jones Home in the Flood

1910’s – Gustave Jones Home in the Flood

Taken in front of Gustave Jones home at Second and Beech Streets, this photograph shows boaters enjoying the novelty of the flood.  Standing on the porch are Jones (right) and an unidentified man. Jones’s daughter Leah Jones Hurt, sits in the bow of the boat,...
1915 – Flood on Hazel Street

1915 – Flood on Hazel Street

Here is a rare photograph of the man behind the camera, Parker the photographer, standing at the confluence of Hazel and Second Streets.  Parker captured many images of his townfolk frolicking in the unaccustomed circumstances.  The caption reads, “On Hazel,...