The Baxter County Historical and Genealogical Society received a major gift from one of its members. Native Baxter Countian Wanda Roe donated $10,000 to be used for a construction project for a building owned by the society and currently occupied by Care Center Ministries.
Historical Society President David Benedict says Roe told him during a recent phone conversation she had read a report in the current issue of the society’s quarterly publication titled “Baxter County History” detailing the group’s arrangement for a loan to repair the roof at the location on South Main Street, and she intended to make the donation. The structure was constructed in 1920 and originally housed the Baxter Bulletin and the Shiras Brothers Print Shop. After the Bulletin moved to its current location, the building was purchased and occupied by the Carney Law Firm until it relocated nearly two years ago. The firm donated the building to the Historical Society who leases it as an income property.
Roe is an active member and supporter of the Historical Society despite being a resident of Pea Ridge. She was born in Norfork to Melvin and Luna Cockrum Finley. Melvin Finley was a Vaudeville performer who settled in Norfork and a pioneer in introducing the movie business to Baxter County. He built the Lyric Theater in Norfork in 1926 and operated it until 1957. Melvin Finley was a regional film distributer from an annex on the side of the theater where he stored movie reels and circulated them to movie houses throughout the area.
The former Wanda Finley graduated from Norfork High School in 1937 and later married Roy Roe. Her career included being a teacher, artist and musician. Roy Roe was a former superintendent of the Viola School District.
The Baxter County Historical Society’s Heritage Center is located on South Baker Street in Mountain Home and is open to the public Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 4:00.
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