Have you ever heard of an area of our state called The Golden Triangle? When I saw this on our itinerary for the May 2024 University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture & Extension’s LeadAR seminar, I was not exactly sure where we were headed or what we would experience.
Our group started by touring Lockheed Martin Highland Industrial Park in Camden. We learned about the contributions the defense industry makes to this part of Southwest Arkansas. The tour was fascinating and the contribution to the local economy is phenomenal.
From there, we went on a bus tour of Camden. We went on a fascinating tour of McCollum-Chidester House, operated by the Ouachita Historical Society. The one-and-a-half-story wood-frame house was built in 1847 by Peter McCollum, and he sold it 10 years later to Col. John T. Chidester. It is one of few pre-Civil War Greek Revival mansions in the state. Chidester was a prominent businessman who controversially sought to do business with Union interests during the Civil War. After the war, he established a mail company that operated so-called “Star routes” as far west as the Arizona Territory. This, along with a few ghost stories, made for an interesting tour and taste of local culture.
Later, we had lunch at the Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development. We had a thorough overview of community and economic development from local community and business leaders. Small communities take a lot of pride in their towns and it’s always great to learn from one another.
Our group then ventured over to El Dorado Chamber of Commerce where we learned more about the vast number of natural resources in southwest Arkansas from local experts. Southwest Arkansas is rich in lithium, bromine and much more. We stayed at the beautiful Haywood Hotel in El Dorado and dined at Madhouse 101. There we enjoyed the company of several leaders from the local area.
Our second day was spent in beautiful Magnolia. Our first stop was Southern Arkansas University Beyond the Campus. Our groups went through a Leadership Communication Seminar with Dr. Bobby Solieau, director of Ag Leadership at the Louisiana State University AgCenter.
After lunch, we had another presentation on Natural Resources of South Arkansas. We then headed to Southern Arkansas University’s Agri Building to tour the poultry science center. Touring the breeder facility with an expert professor was highly educational for our cohort. The final destination of the seminar was a tour through the local business, Southern Aluminum. We were able to tour the entire manufacturing facility to see the many products produced in Magnolia. One of the company’s most prominent customers was a hotel chain known widely across the country. The leadership of this organization answered many questions and sent all of us home with some great gifts.
Southwest Arkansas, or the “Golden Triangle” was not a place I had visited before. I was so impressed with the opportunities in education, economy and community development. Local leaders working together to improve the town they love always makes me happy. Many of us live in rural communities. For me, every small town is full of wonderful local leaders and friends just like you, neighbor.
Jody Harris is a freelance communications specialist, gardener, ranch wife and mother of four. She and her family raise Angus beef cattle and other critters on their northwest Arkansas ranch. She is a graduate of Missouri State University. To contact Jody, go to ozarksfn.com and click on ‘Contact Us.’
