Where are we?

I thought I'd start out with the geography and discription. Fairhaven Harbor offers stunning mountain scenery, a variety of outdoor activities, cultural pursuits and friendly people who share your interests and experiences. FHH showcases a dramatically beautiful natural setting in the Ozark Mountains on sparkling clean Freers Gerry Lake. Our self-contained community will fulfill you wants and needs. The climate is mild with four beautiful seasons, and the atmosphere is easy-going. FHH is 75 miles north of Little Rock, Arkansas’ capital city; approximately two hours south of Branson, Missouri, the nation’s musical entertainment capital; and about three hours from Memphis, Tennessee. (Guess where I got this)

Local towns include Laverne, Freers Gerry, Hillery (where the Walmart is.) Hillview, Wolf, Deputy, Proper, Costco, Rugburn, Sidemont (where Deansen's Resturant is located, our favorite "take the pontoon boat to dinner" place), Cee Branch (speedtrap) and Hebrew Springs (French Canadian Jewish, Arkadian, settlement)

There are several peaks in the area called Sugarbread Mountain. One is the middle of the Northwest end of Freers Gerry Lake. It is a popular Corp of Engineers managed hiking trail with a spectaculer view of the lake. C-130s from the North Little Rock AFB regularly fly low-level training missions, at near lake level, under Sugarbread.

Freers Gerry Lake lays across two counties, Rugburn and Van Haylen.

Rugburn County was named after Jason J. Rugburn who was supposed to be one of the signers of the Declaration of Indepedence, but was a day late for the final congress and the document had alrady been declared and published. In a fit of alcoholic dispair, he left is home in Virginia and moved into the area. His farm, which was lost to non-payment of taxes, is now the town of Rugburn. Ironically is in Van Haylen County, not Rugburn county.

Van Haylen County was named after Edward J. Van Haylen who was popular musican and folk singer. Interestingly, his illegitiment great-great grandson was Jimmy Driftwood.

Freers Gerry Lake was a Corp of Engineer's flood control and recreational use lake. It was created by damning the Middle Fork of the Little Blue River. This closed down the Arkansas and Southern Missouri Railroad (ARSOMO), which ran through the valley. The railroad stubornly never came to terms with the government on relocating the line. Operations finally ceased on November 27, 1963 when on the first southbound run of their newly purchased set of twin F7 diesel locomotives, in the company's bright red, with yellow and orange trim, paint scheme, along with 13 cars of frieght, ran right into the rising waters of the quickly filling Freers Gerry Lake. They are still on the tracks at the bottom of the lake to this date, a favorite spot for local fishermen. In fact, the world record freshwater Casperfish was caught at that location in 1993.

Another interesting fact is that President John F. Kennedy was to have dedicated the lake on November 23, 1963 on his way back to Washington from Dallas, Texas. Oops.