Old Gremlin at former CSA compound still shows signs of target practice in the 1980s
Forty years have passed since one of the most notorious extremist events in Ozarks history unfolded in the hills of northeastern Marion County. What began as a quiet religious community evolved into a heavily armed militia known as the Covenant, the Sword, and the Arm of the Lord or commonly referred to as the CSA.
The group’s compound, tucked deep in the woods near Oakland, just miles from the Missouri state line, drew little attention at first. Known locally as the Zarephath-Horeb Community Church, the CSA emerged from a Baptist congregation and lived in relative obscurity through much of the 1970s and where often referred to by locals as ‘The Cedar Ridge Boys.’
But by the summer of 1978, the community had taken a radical turn. The group adopted a White Identity theology, advocated for polygamy, and embraced apocalyptic beliefs. Members saw themselves as soldiers preparing for the End Times, stockpiling weapons and training for what they believed would be the coming Tribulation.
Local historian and host of KTLO’s Retracing Our Roots, Vincent Anderson says CSA member, Kerry Noble, later recounted in his memoir on the events that a simple cassette tape took the group down a dark path.
Listen:
Noble, the group’s second-in-command and public spokesman at the time, would later describe the CSA’s ideology as a dangerous blend of religious fervor and extremist politics. By early 1984, the group had started to attract more serious scrutiny.
That attention reached its peak in April 1985, when more than 300 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers surrounded the CSA compound in a tense standoff that lasted several days. The standoff ended peacefully, but the incident made national and international headlines, and marked the end of the CSA’s influence in the region.
Today, the original 224-acre compound has long since been divided and sold. The area is now privately owned and very few signs remain of the group although Anderson says one prominent item used for training on large caliber weapons remains.
Listen:
Tune in to Retracing Our Roots at 11 on KTLO-FM for the full episode covering the history of The CSA. The episode will also be available via podcast at KTLO.com.
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