Gilmore: Traces of Highway and Railroad

Gilmore’s local history can be explored through its roads, railroad, and individual buildings, which come together in a narrative thread with specific names and dates. The focus is on the section of Highway A-7 listed in the register and the railroad era, alongside the history of commerce, schools, and agriculture. For travelers who want to learn about a place’s historical development when choosing a destination, Gilmore offers a clear focus on local history.

Highway A-7 and its historic designation

The section of Highway A-7 listed in the National Register of Historic Places runs along old US 63 between Acwin Street in Gilmore and Ditch No. 2 in Turrell. It was listed in 2009. This date refers to the register listing; the description of the section follows old US 63 from one precisely named endpoint to the other. For travelers interested in historic roads, this specific route is a tangible point of reference. This makes it possible to distinguish between the period when the route was described and its later addition to the register.

The railroad era in names and records

The name Gilmore Station also points to the area’s railroad history. John Gilmore gave both the community and its later railway station their names; Gilmore Station acquired this designation when the Springfield and Memphis Railroad built its line through the area in 1883. The depot was used by the railroad and its successor companies until freight and passenger stops were discontinued in the 1960s. Two historical records add to this timeline: the Edward Palmer Papers contain an entry from February 1883 for Gilmore Station in Crittenden County. The John R. Hume Collection documents a railroad crossing near Gilmore in the same county on April 30, 1930. Together, these dates span the construction of the railroad and a later record of local rail infrastructure.

Buildings, businesses, and community life

The brick building of Ed Talbott & Company was built in 1928 on Front Street, across from the railroad tracks. The business closed in 1981; the building was later converted into an apartment building. This sequence connects a specific construction date with the history of a local business and the later repurposing of the same building. Another aspect of the town’s business history is the company boardinghouse operated in Gilmore by the Chapman & Dewey Lumber Company.

The school’s history is also tied to specific locations: in 1912, the Gilmore School was replaced by a four-room wooden building south of Saint Catherines Church on Rhyolite Avenue. The building’s type and location add a chapter of community life to the history of the railroad and commerce. After the land was cleared, Gilmore developed into an agricultural community; the town’s history thus extends beyond individual businesses. A branch of the Crittenden County Library System is located in Gilmore City Hall. If a visit there is part of your plans, check the opening hours in advance.

For families who enjoy learning about a place’s history while on vacation, the streets, buildings, and dates mentioned here offer specific points of interest. When looking for a vacation rental in Gilmore, you can take the town’s focus on local history into account when choosing your destination.

Discover more destinations: Marion, Turrell, West Memphis, Edmondson.

Return to the regional travel overview: Crittenden.