Over the past couple of years, the Buffalo River National River folks have been spending a lot of time and money fixing up many of the old homesteads along the river. The Villines Homestead is one that has gotten a lot of attention lately.
The Homestead was built between 1880 and 1940 and belonged to Jim Villines. “Beaver Jim,” as he was known, built the cabin when he married his wife, Rachael. His boyhood home is across the river at the interchange from Highway 43 and the Ponca river access to the Buffalo River.
Getting to the Villines Homestead
Beaver Jim’s adult homestead is easily accessible from the Ponca Buffalo River access. Just head down to the Ponca river access and park on the side of the river you came in on. Cross the old Ponca low-water bridge and then head out on the old road to the left. This is a part of the Buffalo River Trail to Steel Creek.
Quickly, the trail splits with the Buffalo River Trail heading off to the left and the road trace up the hill to the right. Head up the road trace, and within a few hundred yards you’ll see the old Barn. Go check that area out.
On the back side of the barn is a short trail that heads up the hill to the home site. While the barn area is not structurally sound enough to enter, the home site appears to be.
The Villines Homestead Site
At the Villines Homestead, there is an outhouse, a root cellar, another old building, and the home itself. The home was once a small cabin, but it appears to have had several additions built on it.
Stroll around the homestead for awhile. You can head back on the old road. Just head down the hill, this time to your car by the river.
Mileage: .25 mile roundtrip
Difficulty Level: Very Easy
Trailbook: None
Kids: Definitely
[This post was originally published on November 6, 2011 in the blog “Exploring Northwest Arkansas.” You can download an NPS presenation about “Beaver Jim” Villines at this link.]