In 1995 there were 40,013 people from all around the world try their luck in the 35 acres of cleared field at the Crater. (The park is actually 888 pine-covered acres along the banks of the Little Missouri River)
"This park provides a unique opportunity," says Michael Hall, Park Superintendent. "Finding a diamond worth thousands of dollars is roughly a matter of luck. Babies have found diamonds, little old ladies, and big strong men have all found diamonds. No special tools are needed, no special talent is required. Anyone walking through these doors has an equal opportunity to find the diamond of their dreams!"
He's right. Until recently, the mine at Murfreesboro was the only area where diamonds have ever been found in North America! Diamonds displayed in stores in town attest to the fact that MANY diamonds have been found here.
Murfreesboro is the county seat of Pike County.Its courthouse sits in the middle of a square.You can drive all the way around it.
It is a veritable hub of highways.Hwy 27 comes from Glenwood and goes to Nashville.Hwy 301 goes to the diamond mine.Hwy 26 comes from Arkadelphia and goes to Centerpoint.Hwy 19 goes up to Narrows Dam at Lake Greeson.
The Queen of Diamonds, just one block north of the courthouse square (where I got lost) looks like the place to stay if you just can't rough it at camp. This is a renovated 1902 Victorian home. There is TV, swimming, a complimentary breakfast, and best of all, the help loves to talk about the good old days. It is only two miles from the Crater so it is easy to zip out there with the first light of dawn. Their phone number is 870-285-3105
Buddy's Ranch House Cafe is right across the street from it. Buddy's has some light prices on some very high quality food. The best waitress there is Carol White. Not only is she fast and accurate, Carol is a bundle of energy coming back many times to make sure everything is going just fine for you. She is also a treasure trove of information on most of the good guys among the local population. The one drawback and it is major, is that the restrooms are outside.
There is a Piggly Wiggly grocery store right across from the hospital (four doctors in town too, and an ambulance, just in case you stub your toe) and the prices and quality are very competitive with Little Rock. When it comes to friendliness, the help at this Piggly Wiggly beats any place I've ever found in Little Rock.
For Southern Cooking variety there are several buffet-type restaurants in town which are also just downright friendly, to the stomach, and to the old pocketbook. There is a Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village nearby, which I didn't get a chance to visit but Shirley Strawn (Probably the World's Luckiest Diamond Finder) says it is worth the time. Of course, if Shirley had her way she'd keep you hanging around Murfreesboro all year looking at sites in the county that she knows like the back of her hand.
There are winding stairs at Albert Pike for hiking. On the west and south side of Lake Greeson is public hunting area. Whitetail deer, eastern wild turkey, squirrel and rabbits are plentiful. The bird watching is great. 200 species have been confirmed in this area, including 80 breeding species. The Bald Eagles are much more frequently seen soaring over Lake Greeson now.
"When those eagles dive for a fish it is like an explosion. They go all the way under, come out and circle around the lake a few times to show off their catch. Lake Greeson is the prettiest lake I ever saw," says Shirley Strawn.
"There are five thousand beautiful acres of clear water here. You will find camping facilities with four marinas and outstanding resorts."
Some of the water here at Lake Greeson is 500 feet deep so bring diving gear if you want to touch bottom.
About the author: 57 pictures of old cars taken by Lin Stone are yours to see for free. Check out Lin's home page there for links to pictures of old tractors too. Independently less than wealthy, Lin's latest illustrated travel story is about First Monday at Ripley Mississippi.
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