Trout Capital News
Cotter, Arkansas
Good things are happening in Cotter; it's a great time to be here!

Published by the City of Cotter, Arkansas
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November 2000

Historic Preservation Team Visits Cotter, Reviews Historic Sites

After welcoming remarks by Mayor Pratt and Gil Stammer, chamber president, they received a presentation of Cotter’s colorful history as a former railroad boom town, and a commitment to find the best way to protect and preserve our heritage.

Ms. Mills presented a variety of different programs that could be considered to recognize historic properties in Cotter. Of particular interest were successful approaches taken by other communities such as Hardy. In response to a question, Ms. Mills reconfirmed that property rights are not restricted by being officially recognized as historic.

The visit also included a walking tour of the down town and a driving tour of several residential areas.

We look forward to feedback in the near future.

Iva Duggins plans to open "Firehouse Antiques" at 506 Second Street during November, 2000. The exact date will be announced shortly in the local media pending renovation work on the building.

Her shop will offer a full line of antiques, furniture, glassware and other collectibles. We welcome her to the downtown and encourage everyone to do so as well.

Elvan Hudson was honored by the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas on October 13, 2000, at their banquet at the Arkansas Air Museum in Fayetteville. He was presented the Excellence in Personal Projects Award for his work restoring the old Rollins Hospital at Gassville. The building is now the Rollins Hospital Museum.

The work was done in conjunction with the Baxter County Historical and Genealogical Society from 1994 till the recent grand opening on July 1, 2000.

The Arkansas Highway Department completed current repairs and re-opened the R.M. Ruthven Bridge on October 13, 2000. Ralph Fulton, District Engineer at Harrison, confirmed preliminary reports that the bridge deck was not as bad as originally feared. Future plans for more extensive renovation are pending.

Crew Float Wins Awards

Cotter Care Crew was awarded first place at the recent Pioneer Days Parade at Gassville. The previous week the "Crew" won second place at the Turkey Trot Parade at Yellville.

The Care Crew Bean Dinner scheduled for early November, 2000 has been moved to early 2001. A specific date will be announced in the near future.

Work on the gazebo at the park is going well. Estimated total cost is $13,500. Railroad museums at Mammoth Springs and Newport have recently been visited to gather ideas for potential future development at the park here. Other preliminary work is continuing.

At their monthly meeting on October 20, 2000, the Cotter City Council approved release of funds for recent paving activity in Cotter. Work in the downtown area on Second Street and McLean Avenue totaled $40,560.00. Work near Cotter School on Edna Street, Mabel Street and the approach from 62B totaled $10,786.68. Overall funding of $51,346.68 came from the street improvement account ($35,800.00) and the general fund ($15,546.68).

The council approved a resolution of support for long term repairs of the R. M. Ruthven Bridge in Cotter as the only acceptable solution to bridge repair needs. The resolution formalized the city’s position and will be provided to the Arkansas Highway Department and other interested parties. This action was deemed necessary due to continued difficulties in successful bidding of the repairs and serious mention that the bridge may ultimately be closed.

In other matters the council passed a series of resolutions originated by the Arkansas Municipal League and addressing ballot issues in the upcoming general election.

The council endorsed a suggestion by a member of the audience that future paving by the city should be done in conjunction with water line replacement schedules.

At the Cotter Area Chamber of Commerce meeting on October 18, 2000, Light the Loop Chairman Bill Jennings outlined plans for this years competition sponsored by the Chambers of Commerce of Cotter, Flippin, Bull Shoals, and Gassville.

There will be two basic categories this year: "Theme or Traditional" and "Lights, Lights, Lights." The competition is open to both businesses and residents, and contestants should have their lights displayed from dark to 10 p.m. from November 27, 2000, to December 31, 2000. More information will be provided via local media.

The upcoming visit of representatives from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program on Nov 1, 2000, was also addressed. The purpose of the visit is to determine if a portion of Cotter would be appropriate for designation as a historic district and be listed on the National Register maintained by the U.S. Government National Parks Service. Cotter already has two structures listed, the R. M. Ruthven Bridge and the old high school gym (North Arkansas Youth Center). If the visit yields a proposed district then considerable research will be required on many properties to complete the lengthy and detailed process to gain approval at the national level. More on this subject will follow.

President Gil Stammer reported that State Representative Shawn Womack has initiated several inquiries at the state and federal level toward gaining additional funding for major rehabilitation of the R. M. Ruthven Bridge. Also, several Chamber-sponsored events have been placed on the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Calendar of Events for 2001. These include the Easter Egg Hunt (April 24); Arts, Antiques and Architecture...A Cotter Open House (September 1); and the Steak Fry (September 8).

This newsletter is published monthly and presented as a public service by the City of Cotter. It will focus on organized events and activities. It is edited by Sonny Sharp.

Input on any potential articles is actively solicited.

Please e-mail material to sonny@thehistorybook.com  or drop it by The History Book at 114 McLean, right across from City Hall. You may also use regular mail to Trout Capital News, PO Box 128, Cotter, AR 72626. For further information, call 492-4483 or 435-6757.

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