Mount Magazine

The first known written description of Mount Magazine came from Thomas Nuttall, a noted English botanist, in 1819. Since then, the highest mountain in Arkansas has come to mean many things to many people. To the first settlers of European descent, it was a place to scratch out a living and raise a family through hard work and hardships. To those enduring the Great Depression, it meant jobs. The end of World War II brought numerous outdoor activities. Adventurous recreationists found many ways for the mountain to challenge their abilities. Scientists studying its biological communities discovered unique fauna and flora. Finally, the past two decades have combined all those attributes in the development of Mount Magazine State Park.

Don R. Simons started his career as a naturalist in Arkansas State Parks in 1981. He became the park interpreter at Mount Magazine State Park in 2000. His many interests have led to recognition and awards from the interpretive profession. Simons strives to combine human history with natural history, believing they are inseparable. Images of America: Mount Magazine compiles images from many sources to tell the story chronologically.