Skip to content

Forester, Arkansas - The Extinct Town

Have you ever heard of this extinct town in Scott, County?


Forester was a sawmill town established by the Caddo River Lumber Company in 1930. It is located southeast of Waldron, Arkansas, and was named after Waldron businessman Charles A. Forrester. 

The mill was said to be the largest and most productive mill in Arkansas. The town had various amenities, including housing, schools, churches, a theater, a post office, and healthcare services. However, the mill closed in 1952, prompting residents to relocate.

The ruins of this town remain today and the people who grew up in Forester still gather annually for a reunion. 

If you would like to learn more about this historical treasure and what is left of it, check out: https://bit.ly/3S3I3l5



 A little fun fact for you sports fans:
According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, Harlem Globetrotter, Tatum “Goose” Reece, played for a baseball team in Forester one summer as a young man, and acquired his nickname “Goose” while he was there.



Historical photos, all courtesy of the Forester Historical Society.
Present-day photos, all courtesy of AVECC.

Sign-up to Stay Informed