Stop 9: Left Fork Road to Studio

Winthrop’s life took a dramatic turn in 1953 when an old Army buddy, Frank Newell of Little Rock, invited him to come to Arkansas for a visit (photo 1).

Standing atop Petit Jean Mountain, Winthrop fell in love with Arkansas (photo 2). He called the day he arrived in the state “the beginning of a new life” for him, and said that “The real sunrise of my dream came when I moved up to my mountaintop.”

What he saw in addition to the magnificent natural beauty of Petit Jean Mountain were

“neighbors all across… with enthusiasm for life, warmth and generosity.”

Perhaps you can see why this mountain enchanted Winthrop. He loved the promise he saw in Arkansas.