Arden

Arden, A small community 2 miles North of State Highway 32 Approx. 12 miles West of Ashdown.

Much of the land around what is Arden now once belonged to Thomas Arden Brown. He was granted a swamp land patent by the State of Arkansas in 1856. He established a home, orchards, and plantation on the site now known as the Carl Withem farm. The land was covered with virgin timber and abounding in wild life game such as deer, turkey and bear.

Mr.Brown also built a store or commissary in the settlement and brought his supplies from Texarkana by Ox and Cart. The store also served as the first school in the community.

With the comming of the railroad in 1895, the town developed. The 4C logging operation then the Broomer and Scoggins Sawmill and plainer. The United States Post Office was established and the first postmaster was Thomas Arden Brown in 1896.

During the sawmill days Arden was one of the largest towns in Little River County. Motels, Stores, Doctor offices lined the street. Workers would ride the train to and from work from Ashdown and Foreman - unloading at the Arden Train Depot.

Now days Arden is a small quiet community with lots of good neighbors. Being off the main highway between Ashdown and Foreman makes it a nice place to live.

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The school pictured above was built in 1924 - Grades 1st through the 8th was taught here until 1951. It's been renovated and now is used as the Arden Civic Center.