Jim Dailey

Searcy, Arkansas is a mid-size city of 25,000 located roughly 50 miles North of Little Rock.

I’ve always appreciated Searcy as a growing center of commerce and education in White County.  My opinion was even more reinforced last week when I was invited to meet with long time Mayor David Morris and other community leaders.  This city has a lot going on.  However, what prompted me to blog about this visit is the City/Community commitment to Historic Preservation … namely restoring and reopening the 1920’s Rialto Theater.

The theater is open for family friendly movies Monday to Friday in the evening and Saturday-Sunday with show times 2:00 and 6:30.

I was so touched by the leadership that would save and actively reuse this awesome historic building … right downtown on the square across from the County Court House …  that I wanted to feature it.

Well done Searcy … more another day about Pioneer Village, Holiday of Lights etc. etc. 

Now for Higginson, Arkansas …

On my way back to Little Rock, I decided to take the blue highway (remember William Least Heat Moon) and thoroughly enjoyed experiencing Kensett, Mcrae, Cabot and Beebe.  Most of all I enjoyed my visit with Mayor Randell Homsley of Higginson.

I simply love small towns and I love small town Mayors.  In the larger cities, Mayors have staff to run departments and do most of the heavy lifting.  In small cities like Higginson, the Mayor is  “the Mayor” plus part time volunteer fire fighter, manager of the sewer and water and “whatever it takes”.  In Higginson the Mayor and City Council did most of the work building City Hall and managed to do it for $50,000.  Wow!  In my eye, this is a $200,000 dollar building … maybe more and they did it for $50K.  Take a look!

As the new Arkansas Tourism Director,  I have said that every city has a story to tell. What I hope to do is help share these stories in some meaningful way that relates to tourism and brings visitors to look, listen and learn.  The real heart of America and of Arkansas is in the grit of small towns.  We stand tall on their shoulders!