Ashy Sunflowers

This is an old post card of a little community where I grew up. It’s on Arkansas Highway 311, northeast of Green Forest. Fairwell was established in the late 1800's when William Henry Lawrence donated land for a new school building for the budding community. In 1870, a log schoolhouse had been constructed by Augustus Callen on the deeded land. A larger school building was constructed at a later date, but a name was still needed for the new community. Legend tells of a town gathering that was organized to discuss names for the new town. Hours passed and a suitable moniker could not be agreed upon. Growing weary, Mr. William Lawrence reportedly threw his hands in the air, went to leave, and gave everyone his "farewell". The name stuck. Other early settlers in the area included the historic Gofourth Family of Carroll County. The town's name was sometimes spelled as "Farwell". 

In 1960 their little school of five grades closed and the children came to Green Forest. Many of my friends were among them. The last landmark of the little community was the store on the post card. There is still a Fairwell Graveyard.

In 1930, there were 130,000 public school districts in the U S. Most had about 150 students. Now, there are 13,560 and many have 5,000 kids. Consolidating of these small schools, took fire during the Great Depression. Many rural districts could not survive with low tax revenues. Departments of education looked at consolidation as a way to save money. Most of people in charge of education were urban educators and politicians. By 1960 where I grew up the little country schools were unified and gone. I don’t believe bigger is better. I think the main killer of the little schools was the automobile. 

Ashy Sunflowers are blooming in the fence row. They’re native to America. The name comes from the ashy, snowy look of its leaves.

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