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
Trout Capital News Home Page

June 2003

Bridge Work Kicks Into High Gear

        Good weather is here and so are an increasing number of bridge workers, reports John James, Resident Engineer, Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (Yellville Office).
     A great deal has been completed to include 500 feet of decking and hand rails on the west side. James reports that extra care is being applied by the contractor, Hardy Construction Company, to match the particular light standards with the bridge design and color of concrete. He stressed that both the contractor and Highway Department have maintained a high level of awareness of the historic nature of the 1805 ft bridge. This translates into pride in the workmanship being done by the bridge workers and the Department.
     The contract for original construction was let on Sept 18, 1929, to the Bateman Contracting Company of Nashville, Tennessee for $390,729.82. Construction took about a year and the bridge dedication was in November 1930.
     The contract for major rehabilitation was let in January 2002 for $6,278,211.30. Funding is 80% federal and 20% state. The federal funds were specifically earmarked for historic preservation. The history of the bridge justified the funds that has enabled its repair.
     James also advised that work hours are expected to increase to take full advantage of better weather. The number of workers fluctuates but has increased to about 60. Additional workers are likely before project completion.
     The rainbow arch bridge is the only one of its kind in Arkansas. Work is detailed and time consuming to make the major repairs and also keep its original appearance. Major work is being done around the arch spans on the east side. As work proceeds over the water boat traffic delays can be expected for limited periods.
     For your safety, To view construction please do so from a safe distance away from the bridge. Do not get on or under the bridge, even if there appears to be nothing going on at a particular point in time.

Cotter is Home to Sunburst's
Arkansas Baby King

  Yes, Cotter has a king... Baby King, that is. William Cook, age 9 months, was chosen Arkansas Baby King at the state baby pageant sponsored by Sunburst at Pine Bluff May 24-26, 2003. As Arkansas Baby King William will be accompanied by his proud parents Sonny and Tina Cook to the Inter-national Sunburst Pageant at Atlanta, Ga, August 7-10, 2003. 
     King William's castle is the former Cotter Lumber Company building at the corner of Second and South Streets in Cotter. Come by and wish him well. If you would like to help sponsor the trip call the "Queen Mum" Tina at 435-2587.
 

Cotter Landmark Motel Has New Managers

     Long time Cotter residents James and Betty Sutterfield are new managers of the White Sands Motel. The motel has been part of Cotter for many years at the east end of the historic Cotter bridge. The Sutterfields can be reached at 870-435-2244 or come by and say hello.

Fall Festival September 26 and 27

     Preliminary planning for Cotter's fourth annual fall festival, Art, Antiques and Architecture . . . A Cotter Open House, has begun. Individuals and organizations who would like to participate in the festival as exhibitors, performers or parade participants should contact festival chairman Sonny Sharp at 492-4483.

Care Crew Reviews Railroad Memorial

     At their regular meeting at the Spring House on May 8, 2003, the Cotter Care Crew reviewed future support for the Anglin-Tinnon Railroad Workers Memorial. Plans include construction of an additional wall with memorial bricks,  cautionary signs (Do Not Climb), and accounting and transfer of endowment funding for sustained support of the memorial. Special thanks were given to the Skivers, Wanda Fielding, Jerry Stude and Tom Dunn for their support for the reception at the dedication May 2nd.

     The next Cotter Care Crew meeting will be July 17, 2003, at 6 p.m. at the Spring House. Soup and salad will be served. All Cotter residents are invited to attend.

Cotter High School Graduates 47

     At ceremonies on May 9, 2003, 47 seniors closed their high school careers and embarked on the next phase of life. The class valedictorian was Amanda Johnson; salutatorian was Melissa Hurst. Coach David Martin was chosen by the class as their speaker. The students received more than $234,000 in scholarships.

Community Meetings

Care Crew              No meeting in June
Chamber                Tuesday, June 17       8:00 a.m.      White Sands
City Council            Thursday, June 19     6:00 p.m.       City Council Chambers

Farmer's Market
Fridays, 2:00 p.m.
2nd & McLean

Cotter Post Office Turns 100!

     This history was provided by Mary Ann Messick, retired Postmaster of Gassville, Wanda Fielding and Leola Gilliland, retired postmasters from Cotter.

     We celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Cotter Post office in conjunction with the Great Cotter Trout Festival on May 3, 2003, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  A post office station was set up in the Big Spring Park to do a pictorial cancellation celebrating the 100 years of postal service to the town of Cotter.

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     The United States Government officially declared Cotter, Arkansas a bonafide town on Jan. 26, 1903 -- with the establishment of the Cotter Post Office. Prior to that and as early as 1830, first class mail for the scattered farms and plantations in the area arrived by Mail Packet Steamboats. Their destination was the long gone McBee's Landing , which is still a map notation for Doppler Radar Weather Stations.

     From the beginning the Post Office was the hub and heart of Cotter. The Postmaster was confessor, confidante, counselor and close friend. And neither sleet, snow, hail (or incomplete address) could stay the carrier from his appointed rounds. Former Postmaster Wanda Fielding recalls she slid into the parking lot many times, because she knew the mail must go through. In 1910 there was a well known conductor on the railroad whose favorite by word was "Why of course." When a postcard arrived addressed "Why Of Course, Cotter, Arkansas" it was promptly and correctly delivered. Ben Bodenhamer was the first Postmaster and since that time there have been 14 postmasters. The Post Office location has moved four times, but has always remained in a two block area on Second Street.

     Jim Rollins who served 20 years ( 1955-1975) is fondly remembered as the singing Postmaster, his favorite song being "Old Shanty Town." Rollins was also unique in calling grown men and women -- especially those he had known as children -- as "Lad and Lass."

     Cotter has experienced many ups and downs -- boom times and recession, fires and depression, but one thing has remained constant. The Post Office. It was then and now a gathering place for the community. A place to visit neighbors, learn the latest news and discuss politics -- sometimes heatedly. For many, the trip to the Post Office was and is the highlight of their day.

    Recently two former postmasters, Leola Gilliland and Wanda Fielding, shared their memories. Gilliland began her career in 1948 as a temporary clerk under Postmaster H. S. Evans. Stamps were 3 cents and yes, Virginia, there was such a thing as a penny postcard.

     The Post Office was located on the NW corner of 2nd and McLean where it had been such 1916. She recalls the heat was a coal burning stove and the air conditioner was a fan blowing over a pan of water or a block of ice. The Privy and the Coal House were located out back. Coal was a dirty fuel, but the hot ashes made a fine place to bake potatoes for lunch.

     Cotter patrons received the best mail service in the area. Most of the mail came on the 4 p.m. train, and it was sorted and in the boxes by 5. Mountain Home and Gassville would receive their mail the next day. The busiest day was Thursday -- with the arrival of the then weekly Baxter Bulletin.

     In 1962 the Post Office moved to its present location on the corner of Second and South Streets. Gilliland was appointed Postmaster in 1975 and retired in 1980. Today she speaks with pride about her 31 years service to Cotter, AR 72626.

     Wanda Fielding began her Postal Career in 1969 when Rollins hired her as a PTF Clerk to fill in for his regular clerks, Gilliland and Mary Cox. Wanda was appointed Postmaster March 7, 1981, and soon afterwards the loop rural route out of Gassville was converted to a Cotter Auxiliary Route. When the regular carrier wasn't available, she had to carry the mail and recalls on her first trip she knocked down "a few boxes."

     Fielding's love for the stamps she sold was evidenced in her displays and promotions of commemorative stamps. When the dinosaur stamps were issued, a green dinosaur showed up to entertain the children from the Wee Care Day Center as they toured the Post Office. When the Love Stamp was issued at Romance, Arkansas, Fielding was on hand to see Postmaster General Anthony J. Frank unveil it. She recalls the flag stamp as her best seller but agrees that the Elvis Presley stamp was probably the most popular ever. She recalls that when the weather was bad the school children would wait inside for the bus. " I would make sure every child got on the bus with his coat, cap, mittens and books." Many older patrons would have her read their letters to them. "I've laughed and I've cried with them," she states.

     Fielding retired in 1991 and still serves Cotter as a member of the Care Crews. Her fondest memory? Every day one of her patrons would enter declaring loudly, " God Bless the Cotter Post Office."  (He continues this daily blessing.)

     One hundred years later, Cotter has come the full circle. On May 2, 2003, the United States Government officially affirmed the Cotter Post Office's centennial year, and Postmaster Janet Latham issued the special stamp cancellation at the Big Spring Park Celebration.

Cotter Postmasters - The First 100 Years

     Current employees are: Janet Latham, Postmaster; Wanda Smothers, PMR; Audra Messick, Rural Carrier; and Gary Lawler, TRC.