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In 1936-37 the United States government, through the Farm Security Administration, purchased several thousand acres of rich agricultural land from large landowners in Arkansas for the purpose of creating self-help projects. The purpose was to help many families who had been through the Depression and were having difficulties "making it" during this time. Some of the land purchased from the Slayden brothers was in the south-central part of Lawrence County at Clover Bend.
Eleven and one half acres of that land is Section 33, Township 16, Range 1 West, and was set aside as the center of the new community which the Farm Security Administration was creating, in which over eighty selected families would live. Those families lived on assigned farm plots and built new lives for themselves.
Construction of the Community Center began in 1938. It was designed with six class rooms and an auditorium which seats approximately 400 people. It was completed in 1939.
In November 1938, because of the great influx of families with children, the old Clover Bend School(two rooms) was so crowded the School Board (Mr. A. M. Matthews, Ora Hallmark, and C. H. Brand) voted to send the 8th Grade with the High School students to Hoxie High School by bus. By Christmas 1938, the school was so full that a decision was made to move all students to three completed rooms in the south-east part of the new Community Center. The move began in January. Mr. Bruce Logan, Head Teacher, with a wagon and team furnished by Board-member Clarence Brand, and assisted by some helpful parents loaded the desks and chairs, old metal cupboard, and school materials and moved to the three completed rooms at the Center.
A High School was established in July, 1939. Bill Wilson was the Agriculture Teacher and Head Teacher. Schools were closed at Hopewell, Lauratown and Duvall. Some students from Arbor Grove, Minturn, Counts and Coffman came and, with the regular Clover Bend students, made an enrollment of well over 200 students at the new school. By the end of the first school year we had graduated three Senior students: Marjorie Smith, Majorie Hallmark, and Nova Terry. They graduated in May, 1940. In March, we added three additional Board members (Mr. Charley Parks, John K. Gibson, and E.A. Smith); thus began the 5-man Board which continued through it's history.
This Community Center housed Clover Bend School from its inception in 1939 until its death in 1983, with 44 years of rich and exciting history.
In 1983, a heated and divisive consolidation issue tore the community apart, and the school was consolidated with Hoxie. The Clover Bend school Board advertised for bids to demolish the school buildings. It was this action that sparked the ire of graduates of Clover Bend who were not directly involved in the consolidation issue. Many Alumni and friends expressed interest in the "Center" being kept available for community use, in keeping with its original purpose. Through dedication and devoted efforts of Representative Tom Baker, the following events have taken place since 1983:
- A planned visit of Governor Bill Clinton and Wilson Stiles, head of State Historic preservations to the Center to talk with local residents who spoke for preservation.
- Sought and received cooperation from both Hoxie and Clover Bend Boards of Education in a concerted effort to solve problems related to the preservation project.
- Helped bring about a cross-section of people to serve on committees to achieve preservation through cooperative efforts. Nine persons accepted the challenge to serve six year terms on the committee.
- Helped establish a community reunion held annually at the Center around Memorial Day.
- Helped us receive national prominence through achieving the placing of the Center on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Encouraged and accomplished the organization of a Volunteer Fire Department in the renovated Agriculture Building.
- Achieved a Block Grant of $335,000 from the U.S. Government administered by the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission.
- Achieved a Certificate of Incorporation to the Association of Nonprofit Corporations, therefore making gifts tax deductible when given to support this "Center".
- Word was recently received that the old Lunchroom is to be added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- Encouraged the organization of A.A.R.P and Extension Homemakers Club in our community, whose activities have added exciting projects for our citizens.
- Encouraged monetary and educational contributions for development of our unique Museum.
- Benefited greatly from the many hours of volunteer labor in preparing, expanding, and servicing the "Center" for the benefit and enjoyment of all.
