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True Grit Author Explores River Lore in Origin Story


The Arkansas Times is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024 by taking a look back at its history and some of its favorite stories from the past five decades. In one of these stories, luminary Charles Portis set out to find the origin of the Ouachita River, inspired by fellow writer Dee Brown. Portis embarked on a journey to the start of the river, which rises in the Ouachita National Forest at an elevation of 1,600 feet. Along the way, he encountered forest rangers, a log cabin beer joint near the Oklahoma line, and learned about the history of steamboat service on the river.

Portis’s adventure was inspired by Dee Brown, who as a teenager in the late 1920s, took a steamboat trip on the Ouachita River from New Orleans to Camden. Brown’s recollection of the leisurely voyage, with fine meals, nightly dances, and encounters with Prohibition-era revelers, sparked Portis’s interest in exploring the river himself. Portis’s journey through the Ouachita valley in late May and early June provided a glimpse into the dark green wilderness of the Ouachita National Forest, contrasting with the initial explorations by Spanish conquistador Hernando DeSoto in search of gold, only to find catfish.

As the Arkansas Times looks back on 50 years of stories, Portis’s exploration of the Ouachita River stands out as a testament to the rich history and natural beauty that Arkansas has to offer. The article serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and appreciating the state’s unique landscapes and heritage for future generations to enjoy.

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Photo credit arktimes.com

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