THE OZARK MOUNTAINS of Missouri and Arkansas have been a crossroads since ancient times while even modernization bypassed our mountain plateau for decades. Even 20th century tourism made traditional arts and crafts a feature to be preserved. Settled predominately by hill folk of German and Scots-Irish stock, an awareness of Ozarks culture remains.
The Blacksmith
The Blacksmith. BY JOSHUA HESTON Unique. There is something unique about our perception of blacksmithing. As Buddy Ebsen noted (below), the blacksmith was “one of the most essential of all the pioneer craftsmen.” Perhaps that is why it figures so predominately in American culture of the 19th century. And while the art was ubiquitous in…
German Culture in the Ozarks
German Culture in the Ozarks by Joshua Heston The year was 1830. Across Germany, folks of all walks of life were reading the work of writer Gottfried Duden. His book Bericht über eiene Reise nach den westlichen Staaten Nordamerika’s made an enormous impact in Continental Europe — and consequently the United States — and for…
Knife Making
Plate 1. Ozark knives against rabbit skins and oak leaves. State of the Ozarks Photo Archive. Knife Making by Joshua Heston Plate 2. Jehu Knife Detail, May 30, 2014. Like fire and ice, the beauty of a hand-crafted knife captivates the imagination. An age-old art, knife making hearkens of generations past. Knives are essential tools,…
Ozark History
As the Battle Found Them
As the Battle Found Them (Remembering the Battle of Carthage, July 5, 1861) by Lisa Livingston-Martin & Joshua Heston The low May clouds are heavy with rain. A biting blackberry winter wind whips at the tall Missouri grass and the Civil War Ranch’s parking is in danger of turning to mud. The temperature falls. A…
German Culture in the Ozarks
German Culture in the Ozarks by Joshua Heston The year was 1830. Across Germany, folks of all walks of life were reading the work of writer Gottfried Duden. His book Bericht über eiene Reise nach den westlichen Staaten Nordamerika’s made an enormous impact in Continental Europe — and consequently the United States — and for…
The 37th Annual War Eagle Craft Fair
The 37th Annual War Eagle Craft Fair by Joshua Heston and Dale Grubaugh It all started with a heavy rain. The clouds rolled over the Ozark hills along with unseasonably cold temperatures. Plate 2. Downpours hit the high country of the Boston Mountains — the headwaters of the White River, the Kings River, and the…
Arcane Ozarks
Scottie’s Christmas
Scottie’s Christmas, circa 2022 by Joshua Heston [SPARTA, MO] — Scottie Snider, longtime antique collector, artist and decorator, stands in his 1880s’ farmhouse, welcoming the civic-minded and the curious of Christian County into his holiday-ensconced residence. “I have collected antiques since I have been married and my wife Pam and I loved the old primitives.…
As the Battle Found Them
As the Battle Found Them (Remembering the Battle of Carthage, July 5, 1861) by Lisa Livingston-Martin & Joshua Heston The low May clouds are heavy with rain. A biting blackberry winter wind whips at the tall Missouri grass and the Civil War Ranch’s parking is in danger of turning to mud. The temperature falls. A…
Murder Rocks
Murder Rocks BY JOSHUA HESTON Partway up Pine Mountain, just a few miles south of Kirbyville, a stand of elephant rocks rise to the west of the old Springfield-Harrison Road. Nowadays, they are hard to see (the elevation of the new road took care of that) and harder to get to (they are on private…