Enjoying the Great Outdoors

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1 P E O P L E P L A C E S E V E N T S F O O D F U N Enjoying the Great Otdoors Regional Trail System Complete Rock Climbing for Every Season Fishing the Ozark Waters Tips for Camping in Northwest Arkansas JUNE 2015 $2.50 VALUE also: PROFILE: Ron Dncan, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING: Create a Stylish Garden & Grill Gathering STYLE FILE: Smmer s Hottest Looks

2 DESTINATION DOWNTOWN BY ROBBY EDWARDS DESTINATION DOWNTOWN We are crrently featring stories on the downtown areas of or region s major cities. We hope to provide a little insight, history, highlights, and things to do and see from locals in or area. If yo re interested in a day trip experience and want to learn more abot or cities, this cold be an insider s gide for yo. This month, we look at Rogers. Next month, we head to Siloam Springs. ROGERS DOWNTOWN DISTRICT GROWS WHILE PRESERVING HISTORY Charles Warrington Rogers, general manager of the St. Lois- San Francisco Transcontinental Railroad, approved a stop for the Frisco Line in a commnity where water, climate, soil, transportation and hard workers prodced bontifl harvests of apples, peaches and other crops. The addition of the depot, on land owned by B.F. Sikes, meant farmers cold get food to markets in Arkansas, Missori, Oklahoma and Kansas. Rogers and his wife, Mary, made personal investments in the town to promote its growth. Residents showed their appreciation by naming the town after him. In May 1881, the town became known as Rogers. Main Street Rogers, a nonprofit member of the National Trst for Historic Preservation, was organized in 1985 as an economic promoter of the downtown district. Originally known as the Walnt Street Historic District, the area encompasses blocks of First and Second streets and a block of Elm Street bordered by Walnt and Poplar. First and Walnt have long been identified as the primary commercial streets, said John Brroghs, director of the Rogers Historical Msem. At the trn of the 20th centry, commercial and residential architectre played a central role in defining the character of commnities, jst as it does today. In less than six years from the 38 CITISCAPES JUNE 2015

3 town s fonding, Rogers had three chrches with another nder constrction, Rogers Academy, mills, bsinesses and new homes. Wood frame bildings with false fronts, similar to frontier towns of the time, were eventally replaced with brick strctres. Today, the district embraces and preserves its past while welcoming bsinesses, shops, restarants and gathering places. Its development is evident in the Colonial Revival architectre style of the post office bilding, the Spanish Colonial Revival design of the Lane Hotel, and bildings reflecting Italianate, Renaissance Revival, Classical Revival, Mediterranean Revival and other styles. This strong historic character contines to bring bsinesses and individals downtown, said Brroghs. The old bildings contine to be sed and maintained. It allows a connection to or past to live as the old strctres find new ses. Levi s Gastro Longe & Low Bar is a perfect example. The gormet bar sits in the basement of the three-story red brick Progressive Life Bilding, affectionately referred to by locals as Poplar Plaza de to its commanding presence at Second and Poplar. FRISCO PARK CLOCK - PHOTO PROVIDED BY VISIT ROGERS 39

4 DESTINATION DOWNTOWN The 1911 strctre formerly hosed Mtal Union Aid Insrance Co. Levi s is in a space previosly sed to print the Rogers Democrat. According to owner Levi Rsh, his bar is a low place where the common grond between life, love and laghter come together in the form of flavor. Other nearby favorites are Iron Horse Coffee Company, The Rail - A Pizza Company, Parkside Pblic brger and sandwich shop, Heirloom Food & Wine seasonal-based botiqe restarant, Kirby s Kpcakes, Las Palmas and Brick Street Brews, a tap room featring Arkansas-brewed craft beers and a selection of wine. Shoppers browse Valere Rene Handbags for stylish, cstom choices; PIGMINT Flower Shop for plants, lxry candles and gifts; Red Door Vintage for vintage restyled frnitre; The Rabbit s Lair Creative Fabric and Fiber Shop for fabric, wool, yarn and stitchery spplies; Miss Jdi s Wisteria Lane for clothing and home accessories; Vintage Antiqes and The Rsty Chair Antiqes & Cool Stff for niqe vintage items; Dollar Saver for antiqe, modern and handmade home and garden items; and The Cottage at The Barn for vendors selling resed, reprposed, antiqe and vintage items. Other local favorites inclde Golden s Jewelry, Ed Cooley s White River Gallery, Poor Richard s Art Gallery and Women s Pavilion. Newer retailers are Emporim 23, featring bohemian clothing, jewelry and more; and Avene Design Co., offering home décor, ladies accessories and gifts. With the historic bildings and brick streets, restarants and bars, Rogers has a niqe feel to Northwest Arkansas, said Bill Watkins, a 30-year Rogers attorney with Watkins, Boyer, Gray, Noblin & Crry. Other attractions are the Daisy Airgn Msem, Rogers Little Theater, Rogers Opera Hose and Rogers Historical Msem. PHOTO PROVIDED BY VISIT ROGERS 40 CITISCAPES JUNE 2015

5 The Daisy msem preserves prodcts and artifacts of the Daisy Company, inclding the signatre Red Ryder Model 25 pmp gn, which celebrated its 100-year anniversary in Victory Theater opened in 1927 as a movie/vadeville space before closing in the 1970s. Since 2008, Rogers Little Theater has sed the bilding, offering plays, msicals and special events. The Opera Hose, bilt in the 1880s, is being restored. It will hose retail otlets and offices. When movies became poplar in the 1920s, it declined in poplarity and was sed for boxing matches in the 1930s. PHOTO PROVIDED BY VISIT ROGERS The Rogers Historical Msem traces area heritage throgh exhibits and programs, inclding the Attic, a family-friendly handson space for children and adlts. Most of the historic commercial bildings have apartments on the second floor, and the original City Hall is being renovated into 11 beatifl apartments, said Dana Mather, director of Main Street Rogers. Several other bildings with apartments are in stages of constrction, and the residential neighborhoods srronding the commercial area are fll of hidden gems. We re prod of or history, which is why we have preserved so mch of it in the bildings and the bricks on the streets, bt we are a vibrant neighborhood that is always changing and growing. The 31st Annal Frisco Festival is Ag downtown. The event and fndraiser incldes activities, food, rides, vendors and live msic. On Sept. 19, Razor Rail plls ot of Frisco Park, taking Razorback fans to Fayetteville for the football game against Texas Tech. The hor-long ride gives railgaters a game-day experience withot the hassle of parking. Oktoberfest, a day of msic, fn, bratwrst, pretzels and more food, is Oct. 3 in Frisco Park. For more information, visit