Friday, June 22, 2012

Wide Spot in the Road

You just might miss it, there's not too much to see in South Lead Hill, Arkansas.... not to be confused with the larger Lead Hill, Arkansas. Between the two of them, the picturesque countryside is home to less than 300 people. Pretty little white houses dot the hills, contented cows graze in high grass and when you go as far as you can on highway 7 south... it dead ends at Bull Shoals Lake. Mom's farm lays along the road just past the Campbell's farm but before you get to the Raley's place.

I spent a lot of time in this little building as a child. Grandpa and I would go feed the cows and end up at Austin's filling station in South Lead Hill. The whole place was maybe 10'x12' inside, it had an old wooden counter along one wall and on the other side were cans of oil and a stack of tires, that was it. Grandpa would buy me a Coke and a bag of Tom's potato chips and we'd set down in old wooden chairs out front and visit Grandpa's cronies, aka lifelong friends.

I'd listen as they talked about politics and the price of gas, it was 25 cents a gallon : )

Not much has changed in that little town in the last 50 years, except the price of gas of course. The farms are still owned by the same families, just passed down to the next generation. Austin's closed years ago and now there's a bigger Country Mart up the road. You can buy gas and groceries, it even has a little Subway inside to get a sandwich. But it's still the place to see your neighbors when you pop in for milk or bread.  

Too bad I couldn't just open up the Coke box and roll back a few years...


*A special Thank You to my GRANDson who not only makes the long trip to Mom's with me, but mows when he gets there!

20 comments:

  1. Those are some sweet shots! LOVE that little restored gas station.

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    1. My GRANDson loved looking at all the old stuff, maybe that will be in his "bank" of memories when he grows up!

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  2. I love it, and a perfect place to bring your car for a picture! Richard

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  3. What a picture perfect spot -- love the photos and your model man :)

    Blessings!
    Gail

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    1. You can see how hot it was that day by looking at Gavin's face! He's my hard worker for sure!

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  4. what a great memory - and a beautiful little building that deserves to be preserved!

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    1. It really does look the same as the 50's on the outside, the inside is empty now but my memory can fill in the blanks...

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  5. So love these 'spots in the road' towns. Your pictures are wonderful, Joy.
    Handsome youngman, there.
    TTFN
    Have a great weekend ~
    Marydon

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    1. Thanks Marydon, he is handsome isn't he?!!! We had fun that day even though there was work involved!

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  6. You paint a picture into which we'd all like to step!
    Your grandson is a good looking fellow - and what a sweetie he is to do the mowing!

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    1. He's a keeper for sure! His pay was a used cb radio that he'd been wanting!

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  7. It's nice that you are passing down the stories to your grandson and that the places you grew up going to are still around. Most of the buildings I have memories of have been demolished.

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    1. Lead Hill is frozen in time, not many places like that anymore. I grew up in Springfield, Missouri and my grandparents lived at Lead Hill. In time, my parents moved back to the farm and it's still in our family. I'd say 80% of the families in that area still live on the farms their grandparents owned. Like I said, frozen in time.

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  8. That place looks amazing! Someone must really care for it to keep it up to such outstanding perfection!

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    1. Just proves you can't put a price on memories...

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  9. They are keeping it in pristine condition! I love that.

    Lucky you having the mowing grandson along. We get to have ours this week for three days. I will probably do most mowing before he gets here though.....may leave some to let him ride the big mower.

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    1. Gavin's not afraid of hard work, that will take him far in life! Enjoy your grands, Glenda!

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  10. What a grand old spot to sit and sip cola with Grandpa!! So nice to see somebody still maintains it for posterity!! Thank you for stopping by Sall's Country Life and the invitation to visit your blog. Looks like a great place to sit and sip cola once in awhile, hmmm, maybe I'll bring some cronies:)!!
    Summer keeps me extra busy, I have to limit my blog time while the grass is growing (dang)! But, I'll be back and hope to hear from you more too!!

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    1. It felt strange to peep into the windows of that little filling station. I have so many happy memories of being there with my Grandpa!

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