Outdoor writer and photographer Corbet Deary is featured regularly in The Sentinel-Record. Today, Deary takes readers on a jaunt to Norfork.
Last week's article led us to a historic town nestled on the banks of the White River. Well, today, I thought we might go to yet another Ozarks town with a rich history.
Norfork is situated just a few miles up the road from last week's destination. And although one can travel the exact route and simply continue up the same highway, I thought I would cover yet another option this week, leading to an opportunity for folks to see different scenery during their journey home.
Today, we'll head east from Hot Springs on Highway 70 for about 17 miles, to the intersection of Interstate 30, where we'll continue in an eastward direction. We'll travel 27 miles and take Exit 143-B onto I-40, toward Jacksonville and Memphis.
Travel 4.9 miles and veer left onto Highway 67, toward Jacksonville. We'll then take Exit 16B, onto Highway 5, to Cabot, after a 16-mile jaunt on 67, where we'll head north toward Heber Springs.
Traveling 29 miles, we'll turn right onto Highway 36 west, go 350 feet and turn back left onto Highway 5. Remaining on the highway for 10.6 miles, we'll veer left onto Heber Springs Road/Highway 25 and continue for 19 miles to where we will make a left-hand turn onto Mountain View Road/Highway 5, at Wolf Bayou.
Continuing for 22 miles, turn left onto East Main, go 1.1 miles and take a right onto North Bayou Drive. We'll continue for nine-tenths of a mile to the intersection of Sylamore Drive/Highway 5, where we will make yet another right-hand turn.
This intersection might sound somewhat familiar to those who read last week's article, as the remainder of the drive will consist of the directions I shared last week.
The highway will meander 21 miles, through Allison and eventually Cross the White River at Calico Rock. From Calico Rock, remain on the highway for 12 more miles to our destination.
Norfork is a rather small town, in comparison to our hometown of Hot Springs, as are a majority of cities nestled in the north-central section of the state. However, its stature is certainly no indication that it has nothing to offer.
Those with a passion for the outdoors should have no issue with remaining busy for an entire day. In fact, one could plan an extended excursion and remain occupied.
Situated at the confluence of the White and Norfork rivers, this little town is visited by trout fishing enthusiasts from abroad. In fact, these two rivers are world-renowned as trout fisheries.
The world record brown trout was caught in the Norfork River in August of 1988. The specimen weighed in at 38.9 pounds and stretched 41 inches in length.
Fly fishermen gather at the tailwaters of the Norfork Dam with hopes of coaxing a trophy into hitting their fly, while those who are more into fishing for native lake fish species, such as largemouth bass, spend their time casting into the reservoir on the upper side of the concrete structure.
As for trout fishing, there is yet another destination situated along the outskirts of the town that I find even more intriguing than the two aforementioned rivers.
I'm referring to Dry Run Creek, a small tributary located just across the highway from the Norfork Dam. One can easily toss a rock across this narrow creek. However, it is carefully managed as a fishery where only youngsters are allowed to wet a hook.
One can actually see large trout lurking in its clear waters. It is not uncommon to see youngsters tying into these beautiful specimens. And to see the excitement on their faces is priceless.
The creek is fed with the fertile waters of the National Fish Hatchery, which is situated just up the hill. In fact, Dry Run Creek and the hatchery share the same parking area.
One might also enjoy a tour of the hatchery. The facility has been in operation since 1955 and is utilized primarily for the production of trout.
Rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout are all reared in the hatchery, most of which are released in the tailwaters of Norfork, Bull Shoals and other dams. However, they also provide trout for reservoirs in other states.
OK, we've covered a portion of the outdoor opportunities awaiting those who visit Norfork. Now let's take a look as what might await those with an interest in its rich history.
Located in the heart of the quaint little town, the Jacob Wolf House is perched atop a hillside overlooking the spot where the two aforementioned rivers join.
The log structure was constructed in 1829 and was utilized as the first permanent courthouse of Izard County. The building is touted as "the oldest public structure in Arkansas."
According to the information I managed to gather via the internet, fur-trading activities were prominent at the confluence of the Norfork and White Rivers prior to when "permanent Anglo-American settlement occurred."
A fella by the name of Jacob Wolf arrived in the area in 1820. I suppose one could refer to him as a "jack-of-all-trades," as he was a merchant, carpenter and a blacksmith.
Shawnee and Delaware tribes were situated nearby from 1819 until the mid-1820s. Wolf recognized the importance of trading with these Native Americans and chose to establish his homestead at the mouth of the Norfork River, in 1824. And he acquired a license to operate ferries across both rivers one year later.
Izard County came to fruition during the same year Wolf was granted a ferry license, and he was elected as a representative of the General Assembly of the Arkansas Territory in 1826.
In the meantime, the town of Liberty had developed around his homestead and ferries. And he managed to pass legislation, in 1829, to build a permanent courthouse in this newly founded town.
Wolf built a two-story structure, with a dogtrot at the lower level. The large room at the top level was dedicated as the courtroom, to where judges and lawyers from distant parts of the territory would travel to hold sessions.
"Families from throughout the county camped on the courthouse grounds when court was in session, socializing and competing in games," according to the city's official website.
The county clerk's office was located in the lower level of the courthouse, where John P. Houston filled the position. John was the brother of American legend Sam Houston.
As thousands of settlers began taking root in north-central Arkansas, new counties were created. In turn, the county seat was moved from Liberty and relocated at Athens, which no longer exists.
But the log structure that once served as the courthouse still served a purpose. In fact, Wolf converted the building into a home for his 16 children and five stepchildren.
The representative of the General Assembly passed away on Jan. 1, 1863, and his house was sold in 1865. The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in April of 1973. Restoration of the structure was completed in 2002 and it presently serves as a museum.
The property was transferred to the Department of Heritage in 2016, of which presently operates it as the Jacob Wolf House Historic Site.
Yep, Norfork is a jewel nestled in the heart of north-central Arkansas. It has something to offer to the outdoorsman and the history buff, alike. And it's a destination where we plan to visit again in the near future.
