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The 1986 film Hoosiers is the token basketball underdog story. A disgruntled coach who pushes his team to compete at a high level and ultimately win the Indiana state championship. Of course, this film was based on the true story of the Milan Indians of Milan, Indiana who made quite the Cinderella run back in 1954. Why bring up the cinematic masterpiece that was Hoosiers ? Because down in the southeastern corner of Arkansas, a similar storyline was developing. In 1973, the

Down in Ashley County, where the Mississippi River Delta meets the southern timberlands, lies a dried up little town on the brink of despair. Fountain Hill, Arkansas is but a small speck on a roadmap, and most likely more of a pass-through than a destination for most traveling on highway 425. However, it wasn’t always this way. The town used to thrive with an active community scene including stores, churches, a bank, eating joints, and even its own school district. While the

We are back again with even more famous names from Arkansas’ small schools of yesteryear. As previously stated, the small communities across the state of Arkansas are full of talented people. Many famous individuals have come out of the rural towns that make up the Natural State with their talents being shaped by the influences of growing up in harder times. With the small communities around them, they were also shaped by the local school systems. Many of these individuals at

The small communities across the state of Arkansas are full of talented people. Many famous individuals have come out of the rural towns that make up the Natural State with their talents being shaped by the influences of growing up in harder times. With the small communities around them, they were also shaped by the local school systems. Many of these individuals attended schools that no longer exist, and while we honor the memory of these talented Arkansas natives, we should

This video explains why this project has such a great importance in my life.

This video explains how some towns in Arkansas faced different outcomes after the loss of their respective schools.

The crumbling remains of the gymnasium in Bono, Craighead County, Arkansas in 2025. The gym was built in the late 1940s and was used by the school until it consolidated in 1966. The above picture shows the historic building in mid demolition. Only the old school building presently stands.

For many small communities, local high school basketball games were a big deal. Many people from surrounding areas would come out to support the local team. This photo depicts a game in Williford, Sharp County, Arkansas in the early 1970s.

The gym is the only building left from the old school in Cash, Arkansas. The Cash School District consolidated in 1966 with the Westside Consolidated School District. The gym, built in the early 1950s, is now used as a community center.

An aerial view of the newly constructed school building in Fountain Hill, Ashley County, Arkansas. Courtesy of the Fountain Hill Yearbook, 1975.