The following is my notes compiled into a historical document format for the fictional town of Forestview. This community is a unincorporated town/city integrated into the story of my characters & their world that is generally referenced as SGG (Southstar Glen). None of the below is meant to depict true events, historical events, or places. All are a work of fiction to help place-mark character development and story progression. Text and Header Image is ©2025, David McCoy -- Celix Productions. Map is ©2025 Google, it's edited format is intellectually ©2025 David McCoy -- Celix Productions.
Forestview, AR
Established in 1902, Southstar County Arkansas
A former sawmill town built during the Northern Arkansas Timber Boom (1880s - 1920s). Forestview was founded as the St. Louis and North Arkansas Railroad, soon to become the Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad, progressed East towards the Harrison, AR hub.
Quickly establishing around the Timber Camps of the Ozarks, the city grew to a healthy population of over 1,000 at its peak as resort traffic was also funneling through the railroad mainline headed to Eureka Springs, AR.
In 1935 the Missouri & North Arkansas absolved into the Missouri & Arkansas Railway — and in 1946 the railway had discontinued as rail crews started to salvage the railroad.
The timber boom had subsided and Forestview would start to see a decline in business as tourism would shift to the Northwest Portions of Arkansas. The Southstar Coast Lines would be incorporated in 1950, rebuilding the former M&NA right of ways between Forestview through Southstar Glen and into Valley Pines, AR to connect with the Burlington Northern Railroad.
By the early 1980s, Forestview would see further declines as younger generations would move to the continuing to boom NW Arkansas area and by 1993, a referendum would be placed before the remaining citizens for annexation of the city’s School District into the Southstar Glen School District. This referendum would pass as all Forestview schools would close in 1995, students shifting to the Southstar Glen system.
The last businesses to remain in the former city of Forestview by 2005 were an abandoned gas station, the decaying saw mill supply barn, Forestview Cafe & Diner, former Southstar Coast Lines Depot, and the Iron Through-truss bridge.
In 2004, State Highway 21 would be re-directed to bypass the city of Forestview when widened, creating a dog-leg onto what would be renamed as Main Street.
On March 6th, 2017, An F3/EF3 tornado ripped through remnants of Forestview and continued into the Northside of Southstar Glen. The storm brought point blank destruction to what remained of the city of Forestview – leaving only the Rail Depot behind with significant damage. The storm only skirted the riverbend saving the Forestview Cafe & Diner and Steel Bridge. At the time the US census noted 5 families living within the city limits. One family living across the old bridge, four others living along the city boundaries into Southstar Glen. No injuries or deaths were reported, but the damage was considered the final blow to the city as Southstar County officials would vote to blockade access to the city.
The city blockades are located 2 miles past the Iron Bridge and Diner, the other a mile outside of the city on the other side. The only access road, formerly Main Street, would be renamed Forestview Drive. Access today into the city is only available by foot & much of the area is flat and empty due to the tornado of 2017 & the county's efforts during clean up.
Notable Residents:
The founding family of the city was the Corwell family. Owner of the initial sawmill in the city & mayor during the 1880s.
Kosen Star Farms ran a large grain & poultry operation in the early 1960s before selling the farm’s business to the Tyson family of Springdale, AR. The land stayed in the family until 1985 when the descendants of the founding family abandoned the property. Mystery surrounds the farm of the current owner, assumed to be a descendant of the founders. An automotive crash also adds to the mystery.
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