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Garrison Spring & Garden In the "olden' days," the road upon which people entered Garrison Spring was known as "Jacksonport Road". It came up "Garrison Hollow" and wound its way through Sparta, Chadwick, Forsyth, and eventually, to Jacksonport, Ark., on the White River. Jacksonport was an outlet to the eastern markets, New Orleans and the sea. Subsequently, the road was highly trafficked with freight, and Garrison Spring was a paramount stopping point for many of those weary travellers. Garrison Spring, which creates Garrison Spring Branch, and contributes to the Finley River, has a long and interesting history, possessing many secrets we have yet to discover. Native American artifacts found while working the Gardens, allude to a rich history that stems far beyond the arrival of the white man. Almost directly across from the river, on the north side of the road, a log cabin was built in the early 1800's. If you look closely, you will find remnants of the foundation and what appears to be a stone walk to the cabin. From our research, John B and Martha Jane Garrison, and their six children, lived in this cabin. After John died, Martha Jane and the children continued to live in the cabin until about 1886 to 1889, when it burned. With approximately $800 she received from inheritance--monies received from selling water to the railroad and monies received from spinning flax and weaving rugs--Martha Jane had a new home constructed just northeast of the cabin site, where the old smokehouse now stands. It is believed that the old barn was constructed about the same time. Other buildings on the property included a guest house, carriage house, smoke house and a chicken house. 
Around 1881-1883, when the railroad line was built from Springfield to Chadwick, a water pipeline of approximately 4" in diameter, was installed from the reservoir at the spring, to the railroad tower. The railroad was known as the Chadwick Flyer. Water was then distributed to the depot, the apartments on the second level, and the section house. This was the first running water in Ozark. The railroad paid Martha Jane Garrison $100 annually for the water. The water line is still visible today in many spots from the reservoir, and along the branch. History indicates water was piped from Garrison Cave, which is located approximately 1/2 mile further up the spring branch, to the City of Ozark, thus giving it their first commercial water system.Other historians argue that Garrison Spring provided the City with its first water system. Water haulers also moved water from the spring. Howard Garrison, the son of Landon Garrison and grandson of John and Martha Jane, was the founder, owner and operator of Riverside Inn. He loved flowers and the beauty of nature. Daffodils, Iris, Peonies, Daylilies and other perennial flowers, as well as many trees including White Pine, Sugar Maple, and Walnut, were planted in abundance throughout the property, and along both sides of the road and branch leading back to town.  For those of you that enjoy bird watching, wild plant identification, tree identification, and garden plant identification, we have check lists available, just for the asking. Please help us preserve Garrison Spring, and all of its beauty, by following these simple guidelines: * Please take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints. * Since spring water can be contaminated, please DO NOT DRINK THE WATER. * Please keep dogs on a leash. * Please do not allow children to climb on, or around, the spring. * Please do not allow children to pick flowers from the garden. * Picnicking is by permission only. Picnics in excess of eight people are discouraged. * Weddings should be arranged at least thirty (30) days in advance. * Parking is limited. Therefore, carpooling is encouraged when large groups plan to visit the Spring and Gardens. Advanced notice is required. * ENJOY AND TREAT IT WITH RESPECT! For more information contact: Ernie & Mary Lou Braswell 1699 E. Jackson Street Ozark, MO 65721 or call 417-485-0563 |
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©2003, Ozark Chamber of Commerce - All rights reserved 191 N. 17th Street P.O. Box 1450 Ozark, MO 65721 417-581-6139 |
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