The isolated eastern Boone County town of Zinc is often cited as headquarters to the Knights Party, a Ku Klux Klan faction which operates a compound several miles north. For the first time residents, including a local history writer, have come forward to claim no association with the KKK or any other hate group and are sharing the true history of Zinc.
Residents of Zinc Disavow KKK and Share the Town's True History
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Historic postcard of Zinc, Arkansas, created in 1903 by D.W. Cave, one of the principle founders, used to promote the town.
Courtesy / Nita Gould
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Book cover illustration of Nita Gould's historical account of the mysterious murder of her ancestor, in 1912, in eastern Boone County.
Courtesy / Nita Gould, Butler Center
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Tommy Ralls, center, seated with spouse Jennifer, and Marion Newman, natives of Zinc, Arkansas, are frustrated by all the negative press.
J. Froelich / KUAF
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Nita Gould inherited her Zinc ancestral home from her Aunt Geneva Barham, who strikes a provcative pose.
Courtesy / Nita Gould
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Nita Gould stands in front of the original Zinc community center, constructructed circa 1910, which is slated for restoration.
J. Froelich / KUAF
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Nita Gould stands on the old swinging bridge, which crosses Sugar Orchard Creek, a popular swimming area in Zinc.
J. Froelich / KUAF
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Nita Gould and spouse Robert stand on the front porch of the "Elliott and Anna Barham House," which they've restored, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
J. Froelich / KUAF
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As many as sixty heavily armed Arkansas "patriots" patrolled the streets of Zinc over Labor Day weekend, aiming to quell a rumored racial uprising which never materialized.
Courtesy / Nita Gould
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Sugar Orchard Creek flows through the center of Zinc.
J. Froelich / KUAF
