Collier homestead is an accessible hike

SILVER HILL — It was a dream story for a couple that were trying to establish a home.
Nearly a century ago, Solomon and Ida Mae Collier came to Arkansas from Kentucky looking for a better life.
The couple found a piece of land along the Buffalo River that was some of the last unclaimed public land of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. They claimed their stake of 40 acres in 1931.
The pair along with their children had the skill-set needed for a tough life in the Ozark hills.
Soloman “Sod” Collier had learned how to hew logs before making the move to the Ozarks. He used that skill to build a cabin for his family. He also built a smokehouse and another out building that was used for storage.
His logging skills and the ability to work with wood created shingles for the roof of the new home.
The couple had a mule that plowed the dirt and allowed the couple to grow food that they canned for the cold winter months.
Life in the Ozarks was hard.
Now, nearly 100 years later a hike back in time is not difficult at all.
The Collier place became a part of the Buffalo National River. It is now a featured hike in the park service.
Collier’s Homestead Trail is very level and very accessible to those that may need assistance in their walk. A wheelchair will traverse this hike very easily.
To get to the trailhead, one must take Highway 65 south to Silver Hill. After crossing the Buffalo River and climbing the hill, the sign for the Tyler Bend area will be visible.
Turn right on the paved road and follow the road for about .75 of a mile. There will be signs identifying the homestead. It is a left turn into the parking area of the trail.
The parking lot is white gravel. After getting out of the car the trail begins across the parking area.
There will be a field on the right hand side. It is full of blooming plants through the spring and early summer.

Before getting to the cabin, part of the Buffalo River Trail will be seen. It will travel down the hill to the visitor center at Tyler Bend.
After passing the trail, the cabin will be in sight. The building that built by Sod is open for all to visit.
The yard is surrounded by a homemade fence. The yard is very well maintained by the park service.
After climbing onto the porch, the room on the left will be the living room of the home. The highlight of this room is the fireplace.
The fireplace was placed to provide warmth for two rooms. The front opens into the living room while the back of the fireplace is located in what was believed to be a bedroom.
In the bedroom area, visitors can see early wallpaper and insulation. Newspaper were used to both decorate and to keep the winds from blowing through breeches of the walls.
The kitchen was the next room of the house and the pantry area.
A small building was built outside of the home to store canning goods and equipment to keep it out of the weather.
To the west of the home was a smokehouse. Animals provided a source of meat for the family. The meats were cured in the building.
The Buffalo River Trail has many forks around the cabin area. Across from the cabin is the trail that travels south and goes across Calf Creek.
Continuing past the home and heading west, the trail will wonder to the top of the river’s bluff. It will go down the hill with the river and it will pass the visitor center.
The trail continues past the visitor center and into the campground. At point there are different trails that can be taken in various directions.
After visiting the cabin, the trail that travels west is level and can be accessible to those needing assistance in walking. About a third of a mile from the cabin is one of the most scenic overlooks along the river. It is a must visit.
Almost a century old, the Collier Homestead Trail is a piece of Americana.