White River Valley Historical Society
Among the many groups interested in regional history in the Ozarks is the White River Valley Historical Society, established in 1961. The Society is interested in all of Ozarks history, but is particularly interested in the histories of counties in the White River watershed: Barry, Stone, Greene, Christian, Taney, Douglas, and Ozark counties in Missouri; and Madison, Carroll, Boone, Marion, and Baxter counties in Arkansas.
The first officers of the Society were Elmo Ingenthron, president; H.H. Leake, vice-president; Edith McCall, secretary; and Dorothy Standlee, treasurer. The initial Board of Directors included Lois Keeny, Stone County, MO; Coy Logan, Carroll County, AR; Claude Hibbard, Douglas County, MO; Ruby Robins, Ozark County, MO; and B.C. Johnson, Taney County, MO.
Since 1961, the Society has published the White River Valley Historical Quarterly, which is distributed throughout the Midwest and South. Articles published include historical investigations, original manuscripts, photographs, facsimiles of artifacts, and geneology studies. They have also dedicated several public markers, preserving historic sites in the area.
In his initial challenge to members, charter president Elmo Ingenthron wrote an inspired statement of purpose for the Society:
The wilderness of the upper White River Valley was not tamed by the shiftless, the lazy, nor by notorious outlaws. It took stalwart men and women, with brave hearts, strong bodies, and noble purposes to bring civilization to this region. They sought opportunity more than security. They were born of hardships and lived to endure hardships. They had faith in themselves; their principal tools were the Kentucky rifle, the woodman's axe and the Holy Bible. It was they who blazed the trails, cleared the fields, built for us the schools and churches from which we of later generations have so richly benefitted. Their sacrifices were many, but they left to us a rich heritage and a more decent place to live.
In order to help preserve and communicate that heritage of the past to the present, and to the future, the White River Valley Historical Society was founded. (1)
Members of the Society rose to Ingenthron's challenge and have continued to work toward historical preservation for nearly forty years.
Still an active community resource, the Society meets the second Sunday of these months: March, June, September, and December. The meetings are held at the Friendship House on the College of the Ozarks campus, Point Lookout, MO, at 1:00 p.m. Meetings are open to visitors or anyone interested in becoming a member. Membership dues are $16 annually or $150 for life (annual membership was $1 in 1961).
Currently, the Society is restoring the old Taney County jail to use as its official business office. Parts of the jail are also being used as a museum to display historical artifacts. Jerry Gideon is serving as president of the Society at this time.
The Quarterly can be accessed on-line through the Green County Library, Springfield, MO.
Works Cited
Ingenthron, Elmo. "President's Message: The Challenge Is Ours." White River Valley Historical Quarterly Fall 1961, p. 1.
Photograph of old jail taken by Tammy Roberts.
"White River Valley Historical Quarterly." The Springfield-Greene County Library. Shepard Room. <http://198.209.8.166/sheproom/periodicals/wrvq/index.htm> (28 June 1999)
