calsfoundation@cals.org
February 26, 2009
By the late 1800s, lumbering was a major business in Arkansas. To reach the timber, large companies generally constructed shortline railroads that were connected to the major sawmills. Felled trees were loaded onto cars, such as the ones shown here at the Belton (Hempstead County) depot, and transported to the mills for processing. Processed logs were usually sent north to factories.