Beebe, AR

This card is for sale on ebay and shows the old Pecan Joe's in Beebe Arkansas. There used to be so many of these colorful places alongside the smaller highways. They'd have up signs that led up to the business and little kids (and big kids) would eagerly anticipate stopping at a "Pecan Joe's."

With today's new super highways, the Pecan Joe's didn't have a chance. We'd fly by this place so fast we'd never see it. And if we did see it we'd have to figure out how to get off the freeway, turn around and go back to it. We can take the scenic routes, however, and see the remains of old Pecan Joe.

One thing about a blog is that it stays out there in internet land for a long long time. We may forget it but someone else is finding it and finding it interesting. Such is the case with my Beebe Arkansas depot blog. I just received this inquiry.

Dear Barbara,

I just recently purchased an old desk from the flea market that now occupies the Beebe Depot. They told me this desk came with the depot. They had no idea how long it had been there but I did do some research on the company that made it and they had been in business since 1886. My question to you is the age of the depot? I was wondering if this might have been some of their business furniture. The desk is very big and we had to take it out the sliding door and down the ramp outside. It took 4 people to lift it. I was just wondering if anyone knew the history of this desk. Thank you for you time.

Judith

I asked her for a picture of the desk and told her some of my railroad expert friends might know the answer to her question.

Here's the desk. And her final response was this.

This is a pic of the desk. I found by the brass plate that this model was built between 1900 and 1937 because the name of the co. changed. I really was just wondering about the history of it. Also, how long has the depot been there in Beebe? Thank you,

So if any of you railroad experts know the answer to her question, she'd love hearing from you. It's good to know that another old piece of furniture has become a treasure! And to see a lovely depot go review my blog as hyperlinked above.

Most postcards are as realistic as can be.

This one must have been done by a true artist who used artist's license to create this junction in his own way.

Having been trained as an artist and teaching art for many years, I find this one interesting. It's almost like folk art.

The subject? It is the Junction of U.S. Highway 64-67 Beebe Arkansas probably 40 or 50 years ago. Anderson's Grill was a great place to eat. Folks from all over congregated there for excellent steaks and salads. I remember the salad dressing was REAL Roquefort dressing, not blue cheese.

I think the Grill finally burned but we'll have to ask the experts whether that is right. Everyone who liked fine food mourned when it ceased to serve.

I've had to drive to Beebe a lot lately and I love driving through the old downtown. I always wonder why they don't come to Beebe and film a movie. It would create a perfect background for some 40's or 50's movie. I put up some photos of old town Beebe a few weeks ago. If you missed them go back and review them.

I love the old depot. Here are photos of it when it was an active one and what it looks like now. Correction: I assume it was active then. Perhaps the age of the cars in the background will deny its being active plus looks as if weeds are growing around the depot.

Lots of trains still come through using these tracks but no passengers board.

We do a lot of griping about photos of our MLS listings and solds. Today I sat up straight when I saw this one particular photo come through as sold for $84,000. There is no identification as to what old department store it may have been but the picture is loud and clear. I loved the stark clarity of it.

Doing a little investigating, I found this old photo of downtown Beebe Arkansas, a growing city that is about 20 miles from my town of Searcy. Once while in Beebe not too far back, I went into what I think was this store, still open and operating as a department store. Later, I think it had become a flea market and I went in again. It seemed so small at the time. The ceilings were very low and it felt cramped.

So I'm going to see if some of my Searcy friends know what store in Beebe this was. I believe it is on this street and it is definitely a corner position.