Colony Center Restoration Timeline

Resettlement Colony Established

Colonization Project No. 1 is established in May 1934 as a New Deal experiment to help struggling farmers get back on their feet.

Death of William R. Dyess

On January 14, 1936, colony founder William R. Dyess is killed in a plane crash near Goodwin, Arkansas.

Dyess Administration Building

Dyess Administration Building opens as the centerpiece for the colony, providing offices for federal workers.

Cooperative Store

The Cooperative Store at Dyess meets colonists' needs, from food to clothing, to seed and fertilizer.

Cafe and Shops

Café and Shops provide a place to take visitors, as well as providing services to colonists.

Colony Dedicated and Renamed

On May 22, 1936, the second anniversary of the colony, the Colony Circle is dedicated and the project is renamed Dyess Colony.

Eleanor Roosevelt Visits

The First Lady visits Dyess Colony on June 9, 1936 and delivers remarks on the front steps of the Administration Building.

Shoe and Harness Shop

Shoe and Harness Shop shares space with Dyess Colony fire and law enforcement offices.

Colony Service Station

Though few colonists have cars, Colony Service Station keeps school buses and federal vehicles and equipment running.

The Flood of 1937

The Flood of 1937 knocks Dyess colonists to their knees, just as they are getting back on their feet.

New Duplex Tenants

Post office moves into south side of duplex building, with café later moving into the north side.

Key Services Relocate

Around 1945, the U. S. Post Office and the Shoe Shop move to the Administration Building.

Colony Circle Buildings Privatized

In March 1946, the Farm Security Administration accepts bids from private interests for Colony Center buildings.

Theatre Replaces Burned Building

Early in 1947, the original Café and Shops Building burns and a theatre takes its place.

Another New Circle Building

In 1948 Dewey Cox moves Shoe Shop from Administration Building and opens service station.

Stansbury's Store

Troy and Gussie Stansbury build store adjacent to Cox's Service Station.

Empty Lot Developed

In the early 1950s, an empty lot previously used for crowd gatherings becomes a service station.

Drug Store Burns

Drug store and teen hang-out north of original service station burns.

A New Pop Shop

After the drug store burns, the Pop Shop relocates to space adjacent to the theatre, formerly Ma Woods' Café.

Cooperative Store Succumbs to Fire

In June 1957, the former Dyess Colony Cooperative Store burns to the ground, leaving only the foundation.

Building Rescue Efforts

In the mid-1970s, Charles Stone acquires rapidly deteriorating Administration Building and begins improvements.

National Register of Historic Places

The Dyess Colony is added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, based on its significance to modern American social and agricultural history.

Filming on Location

The former Cox service station and shoe repair becomes a film location for "Walk the Line."

Dyess Days 2006

The City of Dyess establishes a three-day Dyess Days celebration to raise funds to acquire the Administration Building.

Gene Williams Donates $50,000

Country music personality donates $50,000 to enable the City to acquire the Administration Building and Theatre shell.

Roof Replacement Grant

Dyess receives $42,000 from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program toward replacing the roof of the Administration Building.

Dyess Days 2007

The City of Dyess holds a two-day "Dyess Days" event in July featuring Mickey Gilley and the Urban Cowboy Band, along with Gene Williams and the Country Junction Band.

Dyess Days 2008

The third annual Dyess Days, a two-day event, features Angie Penny performing with Doc Wooten & Kanyon.

Electric Cooperatives Charged Up

Administrators with the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas become interested in Dyess and pledge support.

A-State Conducts Study

Arkansas State University initiates planning phase for revitalization of the Dyess community.

75th Anniversary Celebration

Dyess celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Colony on May 22 with a picnic and commemorative ceremony in the Colony Circle.

Feasibility Study Completed

An outside study indicates that successful renovation of the Administration Building will require a comprehensive redevelopment plan for the City.

Buildings Donated to A-State

City of Dyess donates the Administration Building and former Theatre shell to Arkansas State University as part of a partnership agreement.

Phase I ANCRC Grant Received

A-State receives a grant to restore the exterior of the Administration Building and temporarily shore up the former Theatre façade.

Phase II ANCRC Grant Received

A-State receives a grant for foundation work and plumbing and mechanical infrastructure work at the Administration Building.

Phase III ANCRC Grant Received

A $350,000 grant is received from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council to restore the Administration Building first floor.

Phase IV ANCRC Grant Received

A $500,000 grant is received from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council to complete the Administration Building second floor.

NEH Challenge Grant Received

A $500,000 Challenge Grant is received from the National Endowment for the Humanities to be applied toward the overall Dyess project.

Special Guests Tour Progress

Officials affiliated with the Arkansas Electric Cooperatives and their guests tour the Administration Building.

Exhibit Design Phase Completed

Outside exhibit designers complete design work for exhibits to be installed in the Administration Building,

Administration Exhibits Installed

Exhibits tell the stories of the Dyess Colony and how growing up in the colony impacted Johnny Cash and his music.

VIP Inspection Tour

Johnny Cash siblings Joanne Cash and Tommy Cash , along with Cash's youngest daughter, Tara Cash Schwoebel, were on hand for the special preview.

Administration Building Grand Opening

Dedication ceremonies were held Aug. 16, 2014 with more than 30 Cash family members on hand.

Theatre Work Progresses

A grant received from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council aids in moving the project forward.

Grant for Interior Received

An additional grant through the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council enabled completion of the Visitors Center.

A-State Acquires Cooperative Store Property

A-State acquired the property between the former Dyess City Hall and the restored Dyess Colony Administration Building from the Gene Williams Estate.

Historic Signage Installed

Markers have been placed throughout the town for a driving tour of former colony buildings.

Visitors Center Grand Opening

The Visitors Center opened in the re-created Dyess Theatre and Pop Shop, which retains the original front façade of the theatre.

Visitors Center Wins Award

The Dyess Colony Visitors Center was recognized for "Outstanding New Construction in a Historic Setting" by Preserve Arkansas.