Hot Spring County: Now & Then

01/09/2026

Imagine a story about this wedding and how it might be written today!

From the Malvern Times Journal, February 12, 1913:
Graham Murry stole a march on his friends here Sunday, quietly slipping away to Little Rock where he was married to Miss Sena Brasswell of Humphrey, the couple meeting there by appointment. The Rev. Duckworth of the M. E. church performed the ceremony. The happy couple arrived in Malvern on the 9:30 train, going to the home of the groom. They will make their home for the present with Mr. and Mrs. D.G. Allen. The groom is one of Malvern’s finest young men. He is strictly moral and is rapidly progressing in the business world. He is the eldest some of Dr. William T. Murry and numbers his family by the score. The bride, with her parents, resided here several years ago and is well known to many. She is a most excellent young lady and is fitted to the sacred responsibilities of wedded life.
They were mere children when they became sweethearts and their loyalty to each other though separated, is the kind which is essential to ideal union.

12/13/2025

For the past several years, following the Malvern Christmas Parade, crowds gather at the Hot Spring County Courthouse for the annual Christmas Tree lighting. This year’s event had more people and more fun. Here are some glimpses of the event with an opening comment by Hot Spring County Judge Dennis Thornton, who helped develop the event…… Just a note: There are flashing lights in this video.

12/12/2025

On Thursday evening, December 11th, Malvern had a wonderful time in Downtown with the annual Christmas Parade and Christmas Tree lighting at the courthouse. The parade had a huge crowd lining Main St. and the parade was super. A special thanks to Malvern national Bank for sponsoring the parade. Here are some glimpses of the parade….. Just a note: There are flashing lights in this video.

12/05/2025

35 years ago, the skateboarders of Malvern were promised their own skate park. The park was never built. One of Malvern's city councilmen was part of the group that was promised a skate park would be built in town back then. Today, Malvern is actually getting its skate park. It's only partially completed but is already being enjoyed. Click below to watch the story.

11/13/2025

The "Quiet" signs were everywhere. Most adults remember the public library as a stately-looking building where you stepped back in time, where you spoke in a hushed tone, and where you checked out traditional books. That's not today's library! It's a fun community hub for all ages.

11/05/2025

Some good news at the train depot!

10/30/2025

“That wasn’t a good idea, was it?”
Out of the mouths of children come the simplest truths. What he was learning about was one of history’s greatest blunders. — a moment soaked in courage, confusion, and loss.
It didn’t happen here in Hot Spring County, but standing on that ground, I felt a story worth telling.

10/14/2025

Newspapers from days of Olde!

From the Clark County Standard, July 10, 1880

Headline: Malvern Lad Killed by Lightning; Father Also Struck

We learn that they had quite a storm at Malvern last Monday, and that the residence of Professor Leiper who lives in the eastern part of town, was struck by lightning and his little son, a lad of ten years was struck and killed. He was asleep at the time near the fireplace and never woke. The house was considerably damaged, but no one else was hurt.

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From the Clark County Standard, July 10, 1880

Headline: Malvern’s Brass Band Performs in Arkadelphia

The Malvern Brass Band - The interest of our barbecue, Thursday, was very much enhanced by the music of the above band. The gentlemen composing it are all leading citizens of our thriving sister city of Malvern, and we think they deserve special mention and thanks. We were surprised to learn that they had only been practicing about 6 weeks. Malvern ought to and no doubt does feel proud of them. They played several pieces excellently on our streets late Thursday afternoon and were applauded by our people. We take the following names of the members from Mr. Floyd's hotel register, where they stopped: Prof. S. D. Taylor; Teacher, Prof. Morse; P. A. Peyton; W. A. Lea; R.O. Brady; Gussie Brassler; John Williams; Prof. Wm. Gay; H. Hunnicut; L. D. Cooper; A. C. Taylor; H. Berger; and W. P. Goodwin

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From the Clark County Standard, August 16, 1879

No headline, but one of our “Live” citizens visited Arkadelphia. We hope they're all "live".

Our friend, Dr. E. L. Brassler, one of the enterprising and live citizens of Malvern, came down this week to attend a meeting of Bradshaw Lodge No. 60. I. O. O. F. of which he is an honored member. He reported his town is in a thriving and healthy condition. He is a good friend of the STANDARD and has it mailed to him regularly.

10/07/2025

Not all Hot Spring County history occurs in the county. Some happens great distances from here such as in this story.

10/02/2025

09/10/2025

Here are more vintage newspaper snippets from Malvern Newspapers, printed over 100 years ago. Compare the journalistic style to how you might see them published today…a different time for sure. Texts are copied word-for-word, as they appeared originally.

From the Malvern Daily Record, October 30, 1916

(Headline) ”Malvern Man Makes Name as Boxer" October 30, 1916:

The following taken from the Prescott News in regard to J. B. Meddley of this city, will no doubt be of interest to his friends here. Mr. Meddley is a resident of Malvern, but has his headquarters as Lineman for the Mackey Telegraph Company in Prescott.
J. B. Meddley, the Mackey Telegraph lineman, who boxed three rounds last night at the carnival with the Swede in Sailor Jack's athletic tent, made a name for himself among local boxing fans when he completely upset the "terrible Swede" at two different and distinct times with a right swing to the head, and had it not been for the kind-hearted fans who were crowded up to the ropes, the above named Swedenite would have been knocked out-- of the ring.

Meddley rushed his opponent continuously and kept him on the defensive during the three rounds. As Meddley's right jolts were distributed promiscuously, the terrible one was forced to protect his face and therefore was not awarded many chances to land a blow.

Both have kindly agreed to meet in a six-round bout on next Saturday night which promises to furnish a little interesting excitement.

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From the Malvern Daily Record, November 6, 1916

(Headline) “Building New Line from Little Rock to Malvern"

L. J. Cathareny, foreman for the Southwestern Telegraph and Telephone Company, arrived in the city Saturday with twelve linemen, who are at the Higdon Hotel, where they will have their headquarters while working on the extra line to be built from Little Rock to Malvern by the Southwestern Telegraph & Telephone Company. This was decided upon several weeks ago by this company and actual work on the line is now in progress. The necessity for this additional line was caused by the increase of toll messages from this point north, and will mean much better service for the patrons of the company. It will probably take several weeks to complete the line.

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From the Malvern Daily Record, November 20, 1916

(Headline) “Auto Upsets With Young Folks: Remarkable Escape of Occupants, Without Serious Injury"

What came near being a serious accident, in which eight prominent young people received minor injuries, occurred at 8 o'clock last night, when an automobile being driven by Floyd Day, upset and pinned the occupants underneath it. Those in the car when the accident occurred, besides Mr. Day, were Misses Elizabeth Chamberlain, Frances Davis, Mary Day, Eileen McHenry, Anna McHenry, Lenna Leiper, and Chester Clardy. None were seriously injured, but all were more or less bruised up. Miss Chamberlain fainted when the accident occurred, but was soon revived. Several doctors were summoned and all were taken to their homes in this city.

The accident occurred on Sullenberger Street, and was caused by a dog running in the pathway of the machine. The dog was killed, but those speaking of the occurrence say the Ford was able to proceed home on its own engine.

Disclaimer: These snippets were taken from the Malvern Daily Record. The articles were included in the Hot Spring County Historical Society’s annual publication, The Heritage. Reprinted here with permission of the Hot Spring County Historical Society.

09/03/2025

The tradition began in Camden in 1926 and is continued now in Malvern. Grapette! It was a favorite beverage for many in the early years and still is today in the U.S. and worldwide! But that's not all! Click on the video to learn more about this remarkable company based in Malvern.