Rex Nelson

From the 1880s through the 1920s, there was a period of Arkansas history known as the Big Cut. Out-of-state investors came to Arkansas to harvest the state's virgin timber. The method used was called cut out and get out. Massive damage was done to the Arkansas landscape.

In south Arkansas, the timber industry remains king, though that sector of the economy has fallen on hard times in recent years. During the next decade, we may talk more about lithium and the defense industry near Camden when it comes to bright spots in the south Arkansas economy.

Monticello was known as a center for education in south Arkansas long before what's now the University of Arkansas at Monticello held its first classes in 1910. In 1890, for example, Hinemon University School was established by the Monticello Educational Society, an organization of business and civic leaders.

Monticello was known as a center for education in south Arkansas long before what's now the University of Arkansas at Monticello held its first classes in 1910. In 1890, for example, Hinemon Universi…

Monticello long has been a center of education for the southeast quadrant of the state. Some past residents even promoted it as the Athens of southeast Arkansas.

In this week’s episode, Rex Nelson talks with the President of Hendrix College in Conway, Dr. Karen Petersen, about the shift in higher education and how that translates to postgraduate life.

Like so many small communities across rural Arkansas, Wilmar in Drew County is dying. In 1920, however, it was thriving with a population of 1,034 residents and a growing timber industry. By the 2020 census, Wilmar's population was down to 395. The history of places such as this matter, though. Few Arkansans realize that Wilmar was once a college town.

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I'm having lunch at the Arkansas classic known as Ray's in Monticello with Hud Jackson, former head football coach at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Having grown up following teams in the old Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference, I've been eating here most of my life. A meal at Ray's was a must when my father would bring me to Monticello from our home at Arkadelphia for a football or basketball game.