Mayflower
Mayflower’s earliest settlers came in 1778. They had
been Tories during the Revolutionary War and were moving westward to get
a new start. Later they moved on as new settlers came and “crowded” them
out. New settlers found good rich soil, ample supply of water, excellent
hunting territory, and rich source of timber which were all vital to
pioneer living. Soon the land along the Palarm and Arkansas River was
homesteaded and gradually moved northward to the present area. Flannagin
and Massengill were two of the earliest settlers. In 1871 at Twenty Mile
Camp the railroad construction superintendent used a Pullman car for his
headquarters. His telegraph call was “Mayflower”- thus the name
remained. This area furnished the trees for wood to be fed into the
hungry maws of the steam driven engine up to 1893. Cross ties were cut
from the timber also. Mr. Lorentz erected a small general store as early
as 1870 that furnished necessary items for the community. Other family
names of this period were Gibson, McCoulbrough, J.R. Dickens, Taylor,
Irby, Ledrick, Adams, A. Dukes, Little, and Miller. Williams’ saloon
opened at the same time. E.C Dunlap had a saloon also and it was said
that his stock would not fill a wheel barrow. Cotton plantations using
sharecroppers thrived. Thus, within a short while Mann Nichols
constructed a steam cotton gin near the Little plantation. At one time
cotton gins were in or near Mayflower.
The first post office opened November 9, 1880, with Worley E.
Vanlandingham as first postmaster. Nichol’s Inn was stagecoach stop for
travelers going from Little Rock to Clinton. Mail was carried by stage
at this time. The Ledrick hotel was built later.
In 1870 the Odd Fellows had a log building for their use but later gave
it as the school building. It was located west of the railroad near the
present elementary school. Later Woodmen of the World build a larger
two-story building and it was used as a school. This log house was
enlarged several times and was used as a school, church, community
center, as well as for the Woodmen of the World Order. A brick veneer
building replaced this log and from building in 1929 at the site of the
present elementary school. Richard Nichols (Knickols) had been an
officer in the Union Army and was the first teacher. His philosophy was
“to spare the rod - you spoil the child.”
By 1916 there were three churches; a two-story hotel owned by John F.
Ledrick who owned owned one of the stores also. Wiley Mosley came in
February 1894 and bought a plot of land from Dr. V.G. Dickens and built
a store which operated until 1940. During this period such business as a
wagon yard, grist mill, blacksmith shop, shingle mill, stave mill, and
sawmills served the growing needs of the community. Hays Realty Co. came
November 10, 1917 from Tennessee and bought up land and began a
residential development. Several things happened to give a spurt of
growth - namely:
The railroad made regular stops at the Mayflower station until July 21,
1931. When it was closed. Passengers were permitted to use it but
tickets had to be purchased on the train.
Schools were consolidated in the early 1930’s - Dew Drop, Providence,
Lollie, Riverside, Palarm, Jones Hill, Washam and Chadwick. These small
one room schools were abandoned and children were transported by school
buses into Mayflower. Bertha Willett was one of the last teachers at
Washam School which was located near Narrows Bridge across Palarm Creek.
In 1934 the brick building was destroyed by fire. A bucket brigade of
townspeople saved the agricultural building.
The first old 65 Highway was completed in 1920-replaced by a much wider
and better hard surface in 1931. The I-40 was completed in 1965 and
caused development of business to relocate. The access exchange road
relieved some problems caused by rerouting of the highway. The
development of Lake Conway as a recreation area proved to be a valuable
ingredient for growth. The citizenry changed as the above factors
developed. The first municipal election was help April 3, 1928, with 36
votes cast - even though the town was 50 years old. The following were
elected: Mayor - Dr. J.R. Kettly - served until 1953. Town Recorder -
O.L. Hackler; Aldermen - A.L. Matthews, Marion Barry, J.T. Starr, M.D.
Needhaus, A.Smith. Town Marshal - Clint Taylor. Signing the petition for
the town to be incorporated were: A.J. Starr, D.M. Proctor, G.M Jones,
J.R. Kitley, L.P. Stovall, J.F. LaRose, J.H. Henson, A.J. Matthews, J.M.
Berry, J.H. Jones, B.H. Durham, J.F. Snyder, J.J. Dalton, M.D. Needham,
O.L. Hackler, J.C. Berry, B.B. Berry, Marion Berry, Wiley Mosley, Mrs.
A. Smith, R.S. Webb, Q.V. Stovall, D.F. Gibson, and Mrs. Beulah Berry.
Early doctors - Dr. Mathias came with the railroad construction: Dr.
J.R. Dickens, Dr. R. Greenlee, Dr. Hollway, 1912-1914; Dr. Martin, Dr.
W.W. Skelton, and Dr. Guidon were here only a short time. Dr. J.A.
Summers reared his family in Mayflower, later moved into North Little
Rock. Dr. J.R. Kitley came in 1926 and was a civic leader. He led the
people into incorporation of the town.
During the depression of 1933 a “canning kitchen” was set up to help the
farmers to preserve food grown on the farms. Gena Hathaway was the
operator. A beautiful magnolia tree, at the corner of Center and Miller
streets, approximately 100 years old - is one of the historical markers.
Early telephones were located in stores of other places of business.
Today 470 exchange out of Conway serves the community. Saxton Springs,
one mile north of Mayflower, was a favorite picnic area in the earlier
days. Today Mayflower residents have easy access to Little Rock and to
Conway and may go there for work. However, many remain at home because
Mayflower can boast of having: Blackhawk Molding Company, Microfilm Co.,
custom-made ironworks, Iron Works Shop, two banks, drug store, two
garages, service station, four groceries, plumbing and electrical shop,
fire department with two trucks, police station with two cars and three
policemen.
Ada Brong Irby is remembered as an angel of mercy during the flu
epidemic in 1918 as she went with Dr. W.W. Skelton and Dr. J.A. Summers
into homes to aid the ill. She was a regular mid-wife assisting Dr
Kitley until her death in 1944. Her pay came from the gardens and
poultry yards.
Mayflower cemetery is a community project - all markers are carefully
documented and maintained with volunteer support. Only 12 graves, with
markers, can be identified prior to 1900. Earliest birthrate recorded is
Dr. Greenlee - December 18, 1829 - January, 4 1917.
Postmasters who have served are: Will Ledrick, Minnie Dalton, J.T.
Shilling, Luther Gentry, Alph Herron, and Mrs. Oleda Herron. Rural
carriers: Hugh Martin, J.A. Boyd, Owen Farmer, Perry Shock, Royce
Harrell.
Churches: Baptist, original 1895 with 5 members. Met at first in a
one-room building. They now have a rice rock building. Wiley Mosley
donated the land. First deacons were J.A. Summers and Carl Atawer, E.F.
Simmons was pastor. Methodist Church was organized in 1880 with Thomas
A. Alexander as circuit rider preacher. Church of Christ was reorganized
in 1980 after 20 years of irregular service. J.C. Mosley, J.C. Dawson,
W.W. Still and Van Winker were early preachers. There are four branches,
located in four areas of the community of the Pentecostal faith. Cleve
Steed donated the land for the first building.