Ouachita National Forest

Ouachita National Forest Centennial
1907-2007

Mission:
“Involve employees (current and retired), local communities, partners, elected officials, and media in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Ouachita National Forest in ways that are fun, educational, and inspiring.”

The Ouachita National Forest celebrates the forest centennial in 2007. Created as the Arkansas National Forest on December 18, 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt, the Ouachita is the oldest forest in the Southern Region. The name was changed in 1926.

2007 promises to be an exciting year of celebration in the 1.8 million acres of the national forest. We invite and encourage you to help us plan activities to celebrate our centennial.

Calendar of Events for 2007

Ouachita National Forest Employee Day (spring 2007)
Ouachita Heritage Days in Mena - date to be announced
Hot Springs National Park 175 Years of Public Service (throughout April)
February Mail-Away Edition of the Hot Springs Sentinel Record
National Trails Day – first weekend in June 2007
Owa-chito Festival – 3rd weekend in June 2007
Glenwood Sawmill Days – date to be announced
Arkansas Tourism Conference – March 2007
Oklahoma Tourism Conference – October 2007
Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair (Ft. Smith) – fall 2007
Arkansas State Fair – fall 2007
County Fairs – as scheduled
Oklahoma District Office Opening (Broken Bow, OK)
Archeology Month – March 2007
Yell County Festival

Family Association’s Centennial Cookbook

Coming soon, this cookbook will include favorite recipes of current and former employees and families along with pictures throughout the years on the Ouachita National Forest.

Oral and Video History Collection

There is a rich history of the forest that needs to be documented and retained for the future and we need your help. Dave Hammond has agreed to help Darrel Schwilling coordinate the history collection. Please contact Darrel at 501-321-5253 or email if you would be interested in sharing your favorite memories or events with others.

The Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests: A History of the Lands and USDA Forest Service Tenure by Stephen Strausberg and Walter A. Hough presents a history of the Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests.