Strap on your Ozark-styled lederhosen and join the crew of Retracing Our Roots as we rediscover the fascinating history of the German Colony of Baxter County, established over 100 years ago.
First, we’ll explore the unique German-etched tombstones in the historic Mountain Home Cemetery. These stones are of the Zippert family which were recently rediscovered and restored. We'll trace the Zipperts' incredible journey from Switzerland to New York, then Utah, and finally to their home in Baxter County.
As we uncover the identities of the brothers, Christian and Andrew Zippert, we also learn about the husband and wife, Christian & Ursula, buried in this cemetery. We’ll delve into the trials and assaults they endured while striving to build a life and live the American dream. Their resilience in the face of adversity paints a vivid picture of their determination to live in Baxter County in the early 1900s.
Next, we’ll spotlight Arthur Keller, a German virtuoso with a camera, who immigrated to the United States in 1905. At just 25 years old, Arthur arrived in Baxter County, Arkansas, as part of an ill-fated German colony.
Keller opened his first photography studio on the west side of the Mountain Home square, upstairs in the Baker Building—now Rapp’s Barren Brewing Company. Later, he moved to a smaller studio and living quarters on the south side of the square. Over the next fifty years, Keller became a vital chronicler of Baxter County’s history, capturing both momentous events and the simple beauty of daily life.
Today, the University of Central Arkansas preserves the Keller-Butcher Photo Collection, featuring 2,234 glass plate images, mostly from the 1920s. The collection highlights Mountain Home, the Baxter County area, and includes portraits alongside candid scenes of Ozark life—like wheat harvesting and young men heading off to fight in World War I.
Thank you for your continued support, emails, and suggestions—they are the heartbeat of our local programming! As always, a special thanks to Rapp’s Barren Brewing Company for sponsoring Retracing Our Roots!
