Fayetteville History

A pile of photographs from the 18th and early 19th century, all related to the Reed family of Fayetteville, was spotted in a dumpster by Dixie Rhyne, who retrieved them and was kind enough to allow publication of the photos on the Fayetteville History website. The Reed family — George Washington Reed and Mary Jane Ferguson Reed — bought the Wilson home in the 600 block of Fayetteville’s West Dickson Street prior to the Civil War and settled in for the next century. Mr. Reed was a successful merchant, councilman, postmaster and circuit clerk. They had seven children: Maggie, John Alois, Lina Xantha, George Jr., James Lafayette “Fay,” William L., and Maude F. Reed, most of whom attended the university, either in its preparatory school or as college students. A couple of photos also depict the next generation as well.

The Old Field House at the University of Arkansas provided a stage for performers from its construction in 1937 to advent of rock concerts in the early 1970s. Here are some of the best known among them.

Photos of Fayetteville collected into a foldable souvenir packet.

In 1951, Walter J. Lemke photographed a dozen homes in Fayetteville that he considered historic and made it a baker's dozen by adding a picture and description of the Masonic Hall. Although most of the buildings are still standing, several have since been torn down.

The first history of the University of Arkansas included more than a dozen photos of the campus as it appeared just after the turn of the century. Most of the buildings are no longer standing, and nearly all of those that do remain are used in new capacities.