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Beaver Jim Villines’ childhood home in Ponca is being prepared for structural repairs. NPS photo
A historic structure along the Buffalo National River in Ponca is being restored to make it safe and accessible to the public again.

The log cabin built in 1850 was the boyhood home of famed trapper “Beaver Jim” Villines. Villines became a legend in Arkansas and nationwide for his trapping skills in the area. He returned to the cabin site in 1882 with his wife Sarah to establish a homestead that included numerous outbuildings, a winery and a farmhouse.

Buffalo River National Park Ranger Casey Johannsen spoke to KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot News and said the park is in the process of removing the trees that damaged the cabin in 2022, so visitors can safely tour the structure again.
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Johannsen says it is one of two properties along the river owned by the Villines family.


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This fall, the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) is expected to send a team to the park to conduct a structural assessment, and rehabilitation work is expected to begin this winter.

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