Parker-Hickman Farmstead, Ozark Mountains Travel Guide

The Parker-Hickman Farmstead, a 195-acre historic district within Buffalo National River, provides a captivating glimpse into the lives of Ozark settlers and farmers from the mid-19th century through the early 1980s. The farmstead, continuously occupied for nearly 130 years, tells the story of families who carved a living from the land.The heart of the farmstead is the log house, likely the oldest standing log structure in the Buffalo National River area, dating back to the 1840s. Constructed with red cedar logs using half-dovetail notches, the house exemplifies the craftsmanship of the era. Over the years, additions were made to the original cabin, reflecting the changing needs and fortunes of its inhabitants.Around the house, visitors can explore a collection of outbuildings that supported the farming operation. These include barns, sheds, a smokehouse, a chicken coop, and even a privy built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. The surrounding landscape, with its fields, fencerows, and orchard plots, further evokes the atmosphere of a working farm.The Parker-Hickman Farmstead stands as a testament to the resourcefulness and resilience of Ozark settlers. It offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the challenges and rewards of rural life in a bygone era.