ozarks
roots
the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home
A Natural Wonder The Natural Bridge has been millions of years in the making
By Julie Turner-Crawford Nestled in the heart of the Arkansas Ozarks region is a formation that has been millions of years in the making, a formation that continues to leave visitors in awe. The Natural Bridge of Arkansas, located north of Clinton, Ark., is a 100-feet long natural limestone bridge that owner Jim Smith says has been carved out by eons of erosion from the Little Johnny Creek, now-small wet weather creek. The privately-owned bridge and surrounding property was developed for tourism by the Johnson family, the previous owners, and has been drawing visitors since the late 1960s. Jim and Marcia Smith purchased the property in 2013 and continue to share the history of the bridge, as well as the history of the Ozarks.
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The Quapaw Indians made use of the bridge for centuries, using it as a thoroughfare and seeking shelter under the adjoining overhangs. “The old-timers said there were a lot of arti-
facts down there in the early days,” Jim said. “Early settlers used it for logging,” he added. “Timber was big in Arkansas back in those days, and most of the logs were used for barrels. A little town north of us called Leslie
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had a huge barrel factory, so most of Central Arkansas was logged, and a lot of it went to make stave barrels, and railroad ties were big then too. The bridge was a handy way to get timber out of this little holler down here. They ran mules and oxen across it.” The area and bridge also have a more notorious history, serving as a hide-out for outlaws. One of the more infamous fugitives seeking shelter at the Natural Bridge is rumored to have been Belle Starr, who was known for her affiliation with the James-Younger gang and other bandits of the day. Today, a winding paved road takes visitors to the Natural Bridge of Arkansas. Jim said it’s not an ideal road for larger vehicles, but there is an area where visitors can drop trailers, then proceed to the check-in. APRIL 26, 2021
