The Church, The Courthouse, and The House on Harrison Street

1931 - The Tornado.
           The Methodist Church.
           The Ouachita County Courthouse.
           Deaths, Massive Destruction, Miracles

           The fear Mother experienced that December midnight when she was 6 years old grips me as I recall the details she shared- the things she saw during that dark, savage night. The rampage left by the first tornado ever to hit Camden brought shock as "the pride of Ouachita County" and the Methodist Church were gutted. On the other corner, The House on Harrison Street remained, providing safety and sanctuary for the family.

The story is shared through Ella Gordon's words.


             The new courthouse that graces the corner in Camden today, built under the leadership of County Judge George R Gordon, was completed in 1933. Upgrades and interior remodels have come, but it's obvious, based on the close quarters and crowded rooms, that the structure is valued more for its history than its functionality.
             Surrounded by the pecan trees planted on the lawn by the Gordon family that lived across the street, the Court House served as a backdrop in many family photos.
              This Gordon family story is woven into the fabric of Camden history.

The House on Harrison Street - March 11-12-13, 2016 - to be launched at the Camden Daffodil Festival.