The Davis Special Questers of Fairfield Bay invite the public to attend a program presented on November 13, 2017 at 1 p.m. by Mr. Robert R. Gaut at the Education Center in Fairfield Bay. Mr. Gaut will give a power point presentation on thong trees, sometimes called trail trees. These living artifacts, created by Native Americans, were used as directional signs and trail markers. Mr. Gaut became interested in these trees around 2010, and began searching for them, photographing them, and researching their meaning. He has catalogued over 300 trees located in Arkansas. Scattered throughout the region there are several specimens located in Van Buren County; one of which is located at the entrance to Woodland Mead Park in Fairfield Bay.
Mr. Gaut presented this topic several years ago but additional investigation and research has uncovered more information about them. Even if you attended the first presentation, please come again – as the story continues. If this is a new story for you, come and learn about the ingenuity of the early Native Americans as they bent and shaped saplings to mark the path for other travelers. Admission is free.