 For more than 100 years, the settlers of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas used native red and white oak, ash, hickory, sycamore, cherry, and walnut to construct barns, farmhouses, exchanges, and other buildings that dot the Ozarks landscape. These enduring hardwoods were harvested from slow growth forests that yielded a quality of wood not found today; wood that is characterized by its light grain and consistency. Builders used these fine materials not only because they were abundant and easily accessible, but also to create solid structures meant to withstand the test of time.
Unfortunately, due to financial and time constraints, many of the owners of these once-mighty buildings have not invested in the upkeep necessary to maintain the integrity of the structures. Ozarkaeology actively seeks out and rescues these buildings from a fate of certain demolition and landfilling, burning, or collapse. This not only preserves the history and nostalgia associated with the buildings, but also reduces the environmental impact normally associated with their disposal.
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