Lone Oak, AR

B. B. Hodge Home, Lone Oak--The Lone Oak was located in front of the home.

Lone Oak got it’s name from a single, very tall oak tree that was a landmark for local hunters. It was so tall that during the 1882 flood, the only thing that could be seen above the water was that one lone oak. It was also the only oak tree around during dry periods. Other trees included sycamore, gum, cypress, and other general woods. The story goes that Sam Hector actually gave the community it’s name in honor of the oak landmark.

One of the stories that’s been handed down concerns that oak tree and Sam Hector. He was traveling down the Pemiscot Bayou in a boat one day and looked up at the big oak tree. There was a bear hugging the tree. Sam took out his rifle and shot the bear and killed him.

At the beginning of the 20^th century, the Lone Oak was found south of the Lone Oak school at the home of B. B. Hodge.

  

B. B. Hodge was a log hauler for the Chicago Mill Company. He was married to the daughter of T. J. Richardson, Margaret Alvenia. Alvenia was born in the Dell community.

The Richardson story goes back to the 1860s, when T. J. and J. B. moved from Osceola to the Dell area. The Perrys and Hectors were their neighbors. 

T. J. and his family  lived at the community of Dell on the Pemiscot Bayou until the early 20th century, when they moved to the Half Moon area. T. J. was the second postmaster of Dell.

T. J.'s brother, J. B. Richardson, was a prominent figure in Dell history until a logging accident in 1914 took his life.  J. B. was the first store owner, first postmaster, the first mayor (before Dell was incorporated), and the first justice of the peace in Dell.

Sources of information: MsCo Courthouse Records, USPS Federal Records, Blytheville Courier News, Bert Richardson's Memoirs, Cleo Houston Lewis Research.