Oh Happy Day: Exploring the Underground Ozarks

I have lived in the Springfield, Missouri area for a little over two years now. Through these past two years I have adventured around the Ozarks with some friends seeing all the beloved yesterdays of this beautiful region. Here are some notes and photos of our trails...

1. The Albino Farm

This dilapidated location is not in fact a farm of Albinos but a beautiful estate with a bad reputation. The original name was Springlawn Farm and dates back to before the civil war. The property used to be an expansive estate that hosted elaborate parties and galas. The Sheedy family was prestigious and the farm was often referred to as"the talk of the town."

Legen has it however that the father of the family committed a gruesome suicide and the family dwindled down to two elderly sisters who ran the estate. It is said that they hired on an albino groundskeeper who was notorious for chasing hooligans off the property with a shot gun.

In the Late 60's the groundskeeper was blamed for two axe murders that happened on the bridge connected to the farm. Eventually the property was auctioned off and is now under the ownership of a distant family in South Carolina.

Not much is left now but a few stone buildings and some beautiful forestry. If you want to learn more you can read the details of the alleged "Albino Farm" here:
http://www.hauntingamerica.com/springlawn-farm-otherwise-known-as-albino-farm/

Photo Credit to Emiliegh Rogers http://www.flashbacksummer.com/

Evan and I being cutesy on the remaining front steps of the main building.

Photo Credit to Emiliegh Rogers http://www.flashbacksummer.com/


Photo Credit to my friend Emiliegh Rogers http://www.flashbacksummer.com/

Here is what is left of the main house which burned down shortly after the murderings.

2. The Abandoned "Girl Scout" Camp

This is also an urban legend. The hidden camp grounds near Jame River bridge have never had any affiliation with the Girl Scouts of America. The grounds were originally created to be a summer hunting lodge of a wealthy local Springfield Family. The actual name is Camp Winoka which is apparently Cherokee for "Great Spirit".

In 1977 the camp grounds burned down in a fire and was left abandoned. Now all that's left is a few cement building covered in graffiti and an empty overgrown pool.

If you want to learn more about the grounds you can read it here: http://417prism.weebly.com/camp-winoka.html

3. Phenix Missouri

I first hear about this old mining town from my friend Brittni SeChrist. Though there wasn't much left here. It was a fun place to explore.

One old house remained as well as a some factory pillars, and a rock quarry.

The town was once home to 500 residents and boomed in the early 1900's from marble production. However with the lull in the economy the small little town dried up along with the factory.

Read more at: http://www.undergroundozarks.com/phenixa.html

4. Dogpatch U.S.A.

This abandoned theme park opened in 1968 and closed in 1993. The park was a hillbilly style baed off of the fictional town of Dogpatch from the cartoon Li'l Abner.

Most of the shops, show houses, and rides are still there though is horrible condition.

Read more about Dogpatch U.S.A. here: http://www.slate.com/blogs/atlas_obscura/2014/05/21/dogpatch_usa_is_an_abandoned_hillbilly_theme_park_in_arkansas.html

5. Rush and Buffalo National River- Arkansas

While Hiking in Buffalo National River, Arkansas there are a few interesting places to visit. First off is the abandoned mining town of Rush. Once a booming community during WWI is now a few rusting shacks along a mountainous trail. The last building (post office) closed in 1950 and is now a historical location you can visit.

http://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/upload/Rushletter.pdf

The other interesting location is what is called "Granny's House" located along one of the hiking trails in the park. Granny Henderson or Eva Barnes Henderson lived on her farm in the mountains until 1978 when the park bought her land to complete the creation of a national park.