Old Beaver Lake Photos

[fishinwrench]

Area History does seem 10x more interesting after you slap a lake on top of it.

[J-Doc]

Well yeah. Nothing is historical until something happens! Lol!

I agree. It does make things more fun to consider and think about.

[Feathers and Fins]

That's strange you say that Wrench a friend brought that up right after Boston. He said Pearl Harbor was nothing really until Japan Bombed it and that Gettysburg was just another battle till Lincoln gave his speech or that the Towers were just Buildings in NY until 9-11. He said it takes a major tragedy or event to make things more than what they were.

[Wayne SW/MO]

As a small time civil war buff, I would have to disagree about Gettysburg. No doubt his speech was an important part of it, but many other important historical things had already happened. It is true though that it only takes one unusual occurrence to put something in the history books and make changes.

I spent a lot of time around the Osage, Pomme and Grand before Truman and it's interesting to go back and find bottom features that I remember. In one case I remembered a small, but prominent rise on the Pomme that was isolated and we found it. Unfortunately in spite of looking fishy it wasn't when we were there.

[J-Doc]

Ok, way off topic but yes, Gettysburg was a big deal with or without Lincoln. It was a huge defeat and embarrassment to Lee.

Considering that my Great Great Grandfather fought during Picket's charge at Little Round Top at Gettysburg and was pinned down with the 3rd Arkansas Infantry and he survived that bloody horror, and the fact that Longstreet himself was quoted to say that in all his years had never seen such tenacious fighting and bravery as he had witnessed that day as the 3rd Arkansas Infantry held their position that day in open territory, hiding only on the ground around them and a few rocks.........I'm proud of that heritage (but that bravery and compliment only).

Gettysburg was a complete failure for the South, an over-estimation on Lee's part of his ability and his men and not considering he had the low ground. So was many other battles such as Antietam, Shiloh, Cold Mountain, The Wilderness (all of which my Great, Great Grandfather somehow miraculously survived without a wound).

I get what you all are saying though. Things are made more significant in history if terrible things occur. It makes them more easily memorable and they stand out. Sad, but that's how we as humans perceive things.

Now............back on topic.... :-)

Beaver was a planned act that has benefited the area tremendously and I'm glad it's here. It was not a tragedy and the old history that goes along with it to me is quite interesting. I have fished it for 10yrs and never knew what lies beneath and what once did exist. I knew about Monte Ne and others but not the old Prairie Creek school, and other things.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Beaver was a planned act that has benefited the area tremendously and I'm glad it's here.

The truth is none of the White river lakes were welcomed with open arms according to the written history. There wasn't a lot of government trust or fertile bottom land in the area and It's said that there was a lot of opposition. The thing is there weren't many people to protest either. The Lower White was an important agriculture area that suffered constant flooding and electricity was needed in NW AR, the only real populated area, and in cities around this area. The Missouri was considered a risk for dams and the land needed was expensive while the Ozark hills weren't worth much.

I doubt that congress saw the boom the lakes would bring to this area. Just for reference, I remember a piece of land on TR with something like 1400 feet of frontage and I believe 60+ acres for a whopping $2K. While that sounds crazy you have to remember you couldn't get to any of the lakes from anywhere. Paved wagon trails weren't conducive to short vacations.