WIRTH
in the Northern edge of Sharp County
Why is it important that we continue to chronicle our history?
We need the inspiration, explicit and implicit, in the examples set by our forebears. Our own uncertain, stressful, and anguished times are in part a result of our individual and collective departure from those principles of human endeavor, material, and spiritual well being, confidence determination, perseverance, and mutual respect and support that enabled those remarkable people to survive and prosper. Few, if any of us, today, could do what they did yesterday- Quote from the Sharp County Historical Society 1981.
A little history..
Named from: Edward B. Wirth, who moved with his 8 children from Pennsylvania
in 1883.
German Heritage: Around 1895, sixty percent of Wirth's population was German. German was spoken on the streets, and in the Lutheran Church. Although, few of these families had come directly from Germany before moving to Arkansas.
Mill
Wirth had three types of mills; a gasoline driven grist mill, a saw mill, and a steam powered mill.
School
Average daily attendance in 1910 in this one room school was 64 students. Hours were from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. with some students walking up to 4 miles each way to attend. Each student brought their own lunch.
School was grades 1-8 and lasted around 8 months. Prior to this time, the school year only lasted 3 months (August-October).
Bridges
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