School Bell on Display

Come by Old Independence Regional Museum to see the school bell that rang school into session in Anderson (Lafferty), AR. Donated by Gerald Fulbright and Nora Brooks, this bell is now mounted to the north of our front door and is ready to be rung. You can also see our grindstone also donated by the Fulbright family.

Old Mill Site in Lafferty

Most mills operated when rain was abundant and waters ran high. The Lafferty gristmill was unique with its freshwater springs, which produced enough momentum to maintain a working mill throughout the year. The first mill in Anderson was built around 1889 by Captain Ransom Luther, a War of 1812 veteran.

Miller School

By 1898 a school for the townspeople of Anderson housed 47 students, approximately 6 teachers, and 5 directors. The land was originally deeded to the school by the Miller family and served the community until 1925 when the two neighboring one-room schoolhouses combined forces with Miller School to form the Cedar School located between Lafferty and Mount Pleasant. The Cedar School was the first consolidated school in Izard County and the first to offer bus service. The school only held classes until 1928 because of the poor economy in the area.

The roster for the original Miller School contained the names of no fewer than 16 students and teachers with the last name of Fulbright. Their successors include Gerald Fulbright and Nora Brooks, who brought the school bell from Miller School as well as one of the mill stones from the old mill site. We thank the Fulbright family for their contributions to Old Independence Regional Museum and urge everyone to attend our bell ringing ceremony when we formally introduce the public to this magnificent school bell situated near the entrance of OIRM.