Cardinal Acres: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, National Park Service

Jackson, Dan

Cardinal Acres is located within Ozark National Scenic Riverways, in Texas County, Missouri. The 5.4 acre cultural landscape is situated along the south bank of the Jacks Fork River in an area known as Buck Hollow. A gravel road turns east off of Missouri Route 17 immediately south of the Jacks Fork Bridge to a parking area and river access point, from which a single lane drive continues east about 50 meters through the Cardinal Acres site. This road is gated and inaccessible to vehicles due to encroaching vegetation and fallen trees. It is initially paved, then turns to gravel before fading into grass near the first cabin. The cabin sites follow a linear arrangement along a narrow terrace above the river. Historically, Cardinal Acres consisted of a group of at least seven recreational cabins and additional outbuildings constructed during the 1920s and 1930s. The cabins were arranged along a low rise at the base of a ridge with river frontage. Presumably, it was a commercial summer rental operation throughout the period of private ownership. Most of the structures were razed between 1966 and 1969, prior to federal acquisition. The property was retained for private use under a term estate until 1991. Despite initial plans to develop the property for ranger housing units, it has since been left in a state of benign neglect. As of 2013, two cabins and two privies remain standing, though all four are in extremely poor and unstable condition. A pumphouse that stood up through at least 2006 has since collapsed. Although the majority of structures are no longer extant, building foundations, retaining walls, roadbeds, and walkways remain sufficiently intact to impart the historic form and function of the cultural landscape. Cardinal Acres is a representative example of a common type of recreational development constructed in the Current River region during the early twentieth century. It is eligible for listing on the National Register at a local level of significance under criteria A and D. It has a period of significance that spans from 1921 through 1969, covering its development and operation under private ownership. It is illustrative of the recreational development along the Jack’s Fork River and has good potential to yield important historical information.

Cardinal Acres: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, National Park Service

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