Bridging Past and Present for the Future
The Stone County Historical Society was organized on February 3, 1972. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Along with Stone County and the City of Mountain View, the organization is co-owner of the historic building that once housed Mountain View Elementary School. SCHS opened the museum in 1990 and operates it through the generous efforts of volunteers. The Edwin Luther Auditorium is part of the complex. It is the site for quarterly meetings of the Society and is available for rent for suitable activities. The Loy and Freda Daum Massey Research Room serves as a repository of family histories, county and local histories, as well as the Society’s publications: Heritage of Stone. SCHS welcomes new members. Dues are $20 annually through the end of 2025. Beginning 2026 member dues will be $25.
Stone County Arkansas Historical Society
PO Box 210
206 School Avenue
Mountain View, AR 72560
Submissions Welcomed
Submissions of historic photos are welcomed. Submit via e-mail for display on the website, or e-mail to make arrangements for an original to be scanned and added to the permanent collection. Please include complete identification of individuals and location, if known, and include name and contact information for the person submitting the photo.
Our Mission Statement
The purpose of the Stone County Historical Society shall be to preserve the history of Stone County, its people and culture for future generations. The society shall seek to accomplish this by
1) providing members a publication titled, Heritage of Stone
2) making membership available to anyone interested in the history of Stone County
3) encouraging the cooperation of other organizations and individuals
4) encouraging school students to be interested in history and to support preservation
activities.
The Stone County Historical Society maintains the Stone County Museum, the Edwin Luther Auditorium, and the Loy and Freda Daum Massey Research Room.
Membership is available for $20 per calendar year through 2025 and will increase to $25 starting January 2026. With paid membership, you will receive the Heritage of Stone issues published for the membership year.
Quarterly Meetings are held on the 2nd Sunday of March, June, September and December at the Stone County Museum building in the Edwin Luther Auditorium at 2:00 pm.
Stone County History
After the War of 1812, pioneers began to move west. Arkansas soon began to grow due to our forefather’s desire for land and opportunity as well as payment for their military service to the United States. Arkansas Territory was created in 1819 consisting of only five counties, and the area where Stone County is located today was originally part of Lawrence County. As the territory grew, more counties began to appear, and in 1836 Arkansas was accepted into the Union as a slave state. Stone County was established April 21, 1873. It was the 73rd of Arkansas’ 75 counties and was formed from territory of Independence, Izard, Searcy, and Van Buren counties. The White River forms its northeastern boundary and this area was settled long before Stone County was formed. The area was part of Osage hunting grounds until 1808. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 brought the territory into the United States. By 1810 white settlers with their families entered the area via the White River, including John & Sarah Lafferty at what is today Younger Access Landing. Dan Wilson and his three sons settled at the mouth of Rocky Bayou and “here the first shadow of a town appeared in the county.” Bob Bean (trading hut) and his brother Dick (blacksmith) were also part of the Rocky Bayou settlement. Today the county is home to 12,350 residents who enjoy the Ozark National Forest, streams, nature, crafts, and music of the area while sharing it with tourists who make it their destination.