Vintage Photos of Two Whistle Barns: Whistleville, AR

Photo from Lee Knight Collection, Dell, AR

 

I was so thrilled when my own third cousin, Lee Knight of Dell, contacted me and offered his vintage photos of two of the many Whistle barns to share with you. Lee's family rented land from the Whistles for many years, and Lee still works the land with present owner Tim Griggs.  He has many stories and fond memories of the Whistleville area.

 

I, too,  have fond memories of my visits to Whistleville during the late 1950s-early 1960s. Suzanne Edwards was a close friend of mine. Her mother was Mildred Whistle Edwards, daughter of Clem Whistle, Sr.  Mildred and Gerry lived in Whistleville and were a part of the Whistle Farm. I'd often spend several days with Suzanne, exploring the west barn*, as well as the cotton gin and grain bins. We bought many an ice cream bar from that general store.

And, probably some of you remember the school picnics at the "pecan grove"--just down from the Edwards home. They were always a highlight of our school year.

 

Whistleville is located south of Big Lake and southwest of Dell on North Mississippi County Roads 309 and 538.  Founded by Clem Whistle, Sr., Whistleville was a plantation farm, complete with the Whistle home, numerous barns, a cotton gin, grain bins, equipment storage sheds, tenant homes, general store, and an African-American church--to name a few.  

( These photos were very small, so transferring them to digital images caused the pixels you see. My scanner didn't do them justice.)



1971 Photo from Lee Knight Collection, Dell, AR

The two barns in the above photo were located east of the intersection of Whistleville on Co Rd 538. They were known as the east barns. Mules were brought each morning from the west barn* (close to the Whistle Home) to the east barns to be harnessed and readied for a long day's work.
 

1971 Photo from Lee Knight Collection, Dell, AR

 The larger Whistle Barn stood on the east side of the complex. It was razed ca. 1975-76.

1971 Photo from Lee Knight Collection, Dell, AR

1971 Photo from Lee Knight Collection, Dell, AR

1971 Photo from Lee Knight Collection, Dell, AR

Late 1970s Photo from Lee Knight Collection, Dell, AR

The smaller barn stood to the east of the large barn, storage sheds, farm shop, and office. It still stands today--barely. No longer in use, there are tentative plans to raze it soon.

Late 1970s Photo from Lee Knight Collection, Dell, AR

The equipment shed is still occasionally in use but in need of repair.

Late 1970s Photo from Lee Knight Collection, Dell, AR

1971 Photo from Lee Knight Collection, Dell, AR

I'd like to thank Lee Knight for so generously sharing his vintage photos with us--and for the information given about the Whistle Farm. He has left with us a legacy of history that otherwise would have been lost. I have more to share with you later on.
 

Photo compliments of Don Brinn

Learn more about the early Whistle Family and their part in Dell history:

The John Whistle Family of Dell