I was lucky enough to grow up at the foot of majestic Magazine Mountain in Arkansas USA. I wanted to share a little bit of the reason, to me, that it’s so special to so many!
“Winter Wonderland”
Mount Magazine, located in the Ozarks mountain range of north central Arkansas in the United States, is spectacularly beautiful in the winter!
On a walk to Signal Hill, the highest point on Mount Magazine and in Arkansas, my classes and I, along with another class during a field study, enjoyed the sights of ice-covered glistening trees as the temperature dropped due to the high elevation as we climbed higher along the way! It was a winter wonderland!
During a winter visit with family, we stayed at the rustic-styled elegant and picturesque Mount Magazine Lodge. Beautiful snow scenes awaited us outside the large picture windows from our balcony; the communal fireplace sitting room; and restaurant. The lodge is beautifully decorated for each season, including fun and elaborate decor at Christmas-time.
The Mount Magazine Visitor Center contains a delightful museum of history and culture of the mountain, as well as a patio wildlife-watch area and gift shop.
The Benefield Picnic Area is located across the street from the Visitor Center. During a class field study, we roasted hot dogs and toasted marshmallows for s’mores in the large fire pit there. Fun times!
Area historian, author, and educator Dr. Curtis Varnell has been a guide and teacher for many class field studies on the mountain through the years.
There are many hiking trails of varying difficulty levels on Mount Magazine, with guided trail hikes available from the lodge, and brochures outlining each one available at the lodge and visitor center. The Will Apple’s Road trail begins at the Visitor Center. It ends at the horse camp field, and is 3.3 miles to the horse camp and back. It is named for my great grandfather Will Apple, who homesteaded on the mountain and peddled beautiful fruits, vegetables, and mutton from his large farmstead, on this road in the early 1900s!
“If you’re lucky enough to live on a mountain, you’re lucky enough…”
Cove Creek Country Store, located just down the road from the lodge in the mountain community of Corley, serves a variety of wonderful southern style sandwiches, including smoked bologna; bacon, lettuce, and tomato; and ham. Petit Jean meats are used for their sandwiches, which are amazing and a true taste of mountain culture! Besides their great lunches, Cove Creek Country Store has hand-made gifts, candies, jam, wild honey, t-shirts, and novelties for your shopping enjoyment or a glimpse into Ozarks crafts and foodstuffs.
“Shades of Spring”
The dogwood is one of the first trees to bloom in the spring in the Ozarks. Along with the returning of migratory birds, the dogwood is a sure sign of spring on the mountain!
So many shades of green! I love standing at one of the many overlooks on the mountain, to gaze at God’s creation! Pictured with me here are beloved family, whose roots grow deep in this mountain!
My great grandparents, Will and Corelia (“Cordie”) Apple, pictured here, were homesteaders on Magazine Mountain in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
This painting by their granddaughter Mary Apple Hixson, shows the Apple homestead from around 1940.
“A Mountaintop Summer”
Summer is the perfect time to fire up the grill at one of many camping and picnicking spots on the mountain to choose from. With the temperatures on the mountain steadily around 10 degrees cooler than in the towns and cities below, it’s a good place to escape some of the heat and enjoy the serenity of the mountainscape.
Our family looks forward to these peaceful times relaxing together in the rocking chairs at the lodge in the beauty of the sky and valley scene on a summer evening.
“The Golden Fun of Fall”
Autumn on the mountain is: taking in the majesty of breathtaking color on the trees; having fun exploring in the newly-cool weather; drives to see places you’ve heard of or want to revisit; and dipping toes into the icy waters of Shoal Creek on those unexpectedly warmer fall days!
There are lots of wild caves on the mountain! Use the buddy system, let someone know where you are, and watch out for bears or snakes…
The beautiful and historic Mount Salem Community Church on Mount Magazine is now on the National Register of Historic Places. The church doubled as a one-room school house in it’s early history. Mount Salem Church continues to welcome those who wish to attend services held on holidays or special occasions. You’ll feel the kindred spirits of Christians who’ve gathered to praise God and worship here since the late 1800s!
Shoal Creek on Magazine Mountain is a fun and relaxing destination!
The Old Gum Tree, as it is known by local residents, has stubbornly held down roots since the early 1900s. Before telephones on the mountain, in the 1930s and 40s, notes were pinned by nails on a table that encircled the gum tree. “The Apple family will be at Spring Lake today until 4:00 or so” one might have read; or “My coon dog is missing. He answers to Bo.” The tree continues to be a landmark betwixt the intersection of these country roads.
“In Any Season…”
And that’s a little bit of the reason this mountain is so special, to so many!
Delve into the wonderful cultural history of Mount Magazine by visiting my website to learn more about the “On the Mountain” books (based on true stories of the Will and Cordelia Apple grandchildren, and for all ages of reader) that I’ve written, as well as a history club for kids and curriculum guide for teachers and parents!
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