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History Early settlements in Farmington date back to the 1820's with William H Engle, who operated Engles Mill at the time. Engle is also responsible for the current city name. He thought the local area was ideal for farming and raising families, and the name 'Farmington' was born. e town has been involved in crop production of strawberries and grapes, as well as home to the Stark Brothers Nursery, which was one of the oldest and largest nurseries in the United States. e Ozark and Cherokee Central Railroad (the O.C. & C.) and later the St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco) Railroad stopped at the Frisco depot. Short trips could be taken by residents on the "Dinky" train. e railroad was abruptly closed on the morning of July 10, 1942 and the depot was dismantled and thrown onto an empty railroad car. As local businesses depended upon the O. C. & C., they were dramatically affected by its closing. Farmington was incorporated in the late 1940's with the majority of the city used for agricultural purposes. e McNeal store was at one time the biggest in the county. Opening in 1913, this store was in business until 1974. Besides groceries, the store had auto parts, harnesses for horses, and mules, feed, medicine, and dry goods. Anything the people of the community needed, they stocked. Many farmers traded in the store, many on credit. Sales began between six and thirteen dollars a day back in 1913 and increased to over a hundred per day by 1919. Sales declined during the depression, one day in 1933, the sales totaled $2.75. A huckster line was started and the younger McNeals loaded a truck with groceries and drove to the neighboring farmhouses. During the day, the McNeal store was a favorite place to "sit a spell" on the front porch. At night, seated on nail kegs around a pot-bellied stove, stories were told about World War I and an eccentric resident known as the Cance-Wilson ghost. e Cance-Wilson ghost has reportedly been seen and has chased some of the area residents. During the strawberry season, in Farmington and the surrounding area, people traveled throughout the area to help pick. Strawberry growers would give tickets to pickers to tell how many quarts they picked. ese tickets became known as "strawberry tickets" and could continued on page 10 8 | 2022 West Washington County Directory Farmington Senior activity center 340 W Main St, Farmington, AR 72730 479-267-5709 As your State Representative, think of me as part of the team. It's all about families, community and the spirit to succeed. Together, we are making a better community to live, work and play. Dav i D W h i ta k e r Arkansas State Representative Daily Lunch Buffet and Tuesday Night Family Buffet Dine in, Drive-thru and Carry-out options Custom and Specialty Pizzas, Signature Calizones, Salad Bar, Sandwiches, Wings & desserts! Simple Simon's Pizza Farmington, AR 72730 479-300-2222 Farmington: a vital metropolis with a family-friendly feel By Karen Rice