2025.02.27 THROW BACK THURSDAY - ICE, POTTERY AND HEARST CASTLE
THROW BACK THURSDAY - ICE, POTTERY AND HEARST CASTLE
PLUS CLASS NEWS
I was in an antique mall in Seattle's Pike Place Market in the later 20th century, and something caused me to pick up a piece of 1930s pottery. It was one of those molded pieces you might have seen on your grandma's mantle. It had the word “Rumrill” stamped on the bottom. “It's from Little Rock, Arkansas” the owner yelled from across the store as she watched me inspect it. Surprised at the notion of finding something from my hometown I'd never heard of, I bought the moderately priced piece of pottery and went to the library when I got back home to see what this was all about.
I found that George Rumrill, a Texan, brought with him a young bride, Pearl, and step daughter, Gretchen, when he took a job in Little Rock's Pulaski Heights area in the early 1920s as the manager of an ice business. The business site, at the corner of North Lookout and Kavanaugh, just north of St Mary's, might be said to be located today at the entrance to the Heights area of Little Rock, just before Kavanaugh climbs its steepest hill.
Life was tragic for the Rumrill family as Pearl soon died in childbirth and young Gretchen was taken to Alexandria, Louisiana to be raised by her grandparents. George Rumrill remained in Little Rock and moved from the ice business into marketing pottery for the famous Arkansas pottery companies, Camark (in Camden) and Niloak (in Benton). Mr. Rumrill learned the business well enough to start his own pottery line with his name inscribed on the bottom of each piece. His marketing and design headquarters remained in Little Rock, but his artwork was made of clay from Minnesota, where he contracted his designs to be molded, produced and shipped out.
His step-daughter Gretchen left Alexandria as a teen to follow her older cousins to New York to try her luck in show business. It might be said that she hit the jackpot, meeting and marrying the son of media mogul, William Randolph Hearst. The elder Hearst had built his legendary California home overlooking the ocean, dubbed Hearst Castle, and in 1933 Gretchen and John Hearst were married there in company of Hollywood stars. Gretchen bore William Randolph Hearst his first grandchild.
George Rumrill continued pottery production into the 1940s when he fell victim to Tuberculosis. His pottery, still considered 'collectable', has been exhibited at the Old State House Museum and a book has been written on his work by a Chicago author.
Gretchen's fairy tale marriage at Hearst Castle was to end unhappily in divorce. She then married an heir to the Woolworth “five and dime” fortune, Woolworth Donohue, at the Donohue Estate in Palm Beach. That mansion was located next door to Mar-a-Lago.
The site of Rumrill's ice business became Drennan's grocery store and operated from the late 1920s through World War II. Bick Satterfield, a prominent local Heights businessman and historian, remembers as a child reaching into the Drennan's cookie jar and being reprimanded by his mother after she discovered chocolate on his face!
The building remains as one of the most handsome historic commercial buildings in the Heights-Hillcrest area, serving uses from dance and yoga studios to financial planners through the years. Owners have restored the building's tile roof details and preserved its deep red brick, fired of Arkansas clay in nearby Malvern. Thanks are due to the property owners through the years for preserving a slice of Heights/Hillcrest history.
Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle, site of the wedding of Mr Rumrill’s stepdaughter Gretchen, and John Hearst.
1938 Athenian Group
Thanks for another great one, Jim Pfeifer
1956 CLASS NEWS
NLR Classmates: Each one of you have received several emails from me a few days before the first of the new month.
Several of us get together for lunch the FIRST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH at the LONGHORN STEAK HOUSE on
McCain Boulevard. We are also begging all of you to come to our Reunions. Several do, but the majority do not. So
we decided if you won't come to us, we'll go to you. We're meeting this Saturday at 11:30a at Longhorn Steak House.
PLEASE come join us!!!!!
Jackie Mae Arnes
It is with great love and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of JACKIE MAE ARNES, who left us on February 14, 2025, at the age of 85. She would have celebra Born with a generous spirit, she was the embodiment of love, joy, and laughter to everyone who knew her. She had a wonderful sense of humor that could light up any room,
and her infectious laughter will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Whether you were in the presence of her wit or the warmth of her cooking, her presence was
always a reminder that life should be enjoyed to the fullest. A true culinary expert, Jackie was famous for making the best fried chicken. The crispy, flavorful perfection of
each piece will be cherished by all who had the pleasure of tasting her cooking. Later in life, she spent many hours playing bingo, starting in the lively halls, where the
stakes were high and the friendships even higher. She continued her love for the game at the senior center, where she played with joy and camaraderie. Jackie was a proud
member of the Sherwood Senior Center community, where she spent her days with friends, laughing and participating in a variety of activities, including bean bag baseball.
A standout player, she was known for her competitive spirit, but more importantly, for her kindness and sportsmanship. The senior center also became a place where she
attended many luncheons and enjoyed the company of others, proving that she had an endless ability to give and care for those around her. Her style was always impeccable,
often accessorized with elegant touches to enhance her favorite outfits. Whether in a formal dress or a casual ensemble, she had a knack for looking put together, always in
her favorite color—purple. She wore it with pride and grace, a reflection of her vibrant personality. Jackie also had a love for performing, whether it was through singing and
dancing in skits at the senior center, or simply adding flair to her daily life. Her zest for life never faded, and she always took the time to look after herself, enjoying things like
a freshly manicured set of nails and a hot cup of coffee—her favorite drink anytime. She was married to the love of her life, Harry Sherman Arnes, who preceded her in death
just 13 weeks ago. Together, they shared an enduring love that spanned over 60 years of marriage, since 1958. Their love story was one of partnership, respect, and
unwavering commitment, and now they are reunited in eternity. Jackie and Harry spent almost two decades in Alaska, from 1973 to 1992, before relocating to Little Rock,
where she spent the rest of her days surrounded by the warmth of new friends and family. Her legacy of love, humor, kindness, and generosity will continue to live on in the
hearts of her children, grandchildren, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Though she is no longer with us, her spirit and the joy she brought to our lives will never
be forgotten. Jackie is survived by four loving children: Christina (Michael) Hall, Harry Stuart (Leesa) Arnes, Michele Susan (Brent Miller) Hoffman, and Rebecca Ruth (Bill)
Baker; her cherished grandchildren, Beverly, Jannis, Marquel, Zachary, Wesley, Dalton, Colton, Brent, Adelaide, Katie, Sammy; her precious great-grandchildren, Nate,
Emiley, Isaak, Tristan, Lucas, Ezekiel, Lucy, Owen, Hugo, Ellie, and Katie; her only sister, Georgia Duff; and her brother-in-laws, Jim Wickboldt and Dick Reese. In honor
of her life, the family invites those who knew and loved her to a memorial service, to celebrate her memory, at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Griffin Leggett
Rest Hills Funeral Home. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service, 10:30 a.m., at the funeral home. Jackie will be laid to rest, next to Harry, at the Arkansas State
Veterans Cemetery at a later date. We will miss you, Mom, but we know you are at peace, reunited with Dad, and your love will always surround us. May you rest in eternal love.
Please keep TOMMY THOMAS and Bucky on your prayer list!
1955 Class News
Marylou. I very much enjoy your newsletter and appreciate receiving it. Thought I would share my birthdate and an update.
We have been in Hot Springs for over 15 years after almost 40 years in Pine Bluff. Birthday is January 10. Thanks, again, for newsletter
Ed Copeland
EDWARD MARSHALL GAZETTE, JR., 88, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2025. Born pn December 22, 1936, in Little Rock, to Ed and Iris (O'Kelly) Gazette, Marshall was a lifelong resident of Little Rock. He graduated from Central High School in 1955 and attended LRU (UALR), studying business. Marshall married Glenda Fleming on July 1, 1960. They spent the next 64 years faithfully loving each other and their two children, Gale and Owen. (Full obit is attached)
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