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.Read more


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


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


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


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


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.Read more


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


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


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


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


New Duplex Tenants
Post office moves into south side of duplex building, with café later moving into the north side.Read more


Key Services Relocate
Around 1945, the U. S. Post Office and the Shoe Shop move to the Administration Building.Read more


Colony Circle Buildings Privatized
In March 1946, the Farm Security Administration accepts bids from private interests for Colony Center buildings.Read more


Theatre Replaces Burned Building
Early in 1947, the original Café and Shops Building burns and a theatre takes its place.Read more


Another New Circle Building
In 1948 Dewey Cox moves Shoe Shop from Administration Building and opens service station.Read more


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


Empty Lot Developed
In the early 1950s, an empty lot previously used for crowd gatherings becomes a service station.Read more


Drug Store Burns
Drug store and teen hang-out north of original service station burns.Read more


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


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


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


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.Read more


Filming on Location
The former Cox service station and shoe repair becomes a film location for "Walk the Line."Read more


Dyess Days 2006
The City of Dyess establishes a three-day Dyess Days celebration to raise funds to acquire the Administration Building.Read more


Gene Williams Donates $50,000
Country music personality donates $50,000 to enable the City to acquire the Administration Building and Theatre shell.Read more


Roof Replacement Grant
Dyess receives $42,000 from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program toward replacing the roof of the Administration Building.Read more


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.Read more


Dyess Days 2008
The third annual Dyess Days, a two-day event, features Angie Penny performing with Doc Wooten & Kanyon.Read more


Electric Cooperatives Charged Up
Administrators with the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas become interested in Dyess and pledge support.Read more


A-State Conducts Study
Arkansas State University initiates planning phase for revitalization of the Dyess community.Read more


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


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


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.Read more


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.Read more


Phase II ANCRC Grant Received
A-State receives a grant for foundation work and plumbing and mechanical infrastructure work at the Administration Building.Read more


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.Read more


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.Read more


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.Read more


Special Guests Tour Progress
Officials affiliated with the Arkansas Electric Cooperatives and their guests tour the Administration Building.Read more


Exhibit Design Phase Completed
Outside exhibit designers complete design work for exhibits to be installed in the Administration Building,Read more


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


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.Read more


Administration Building Grand Opening
Dedication ceremonies were held Aug. 16, 2014 with more than 30 Cash family members on hand.Read more


Theatre Work Progresses
A grant received from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council aids in moving the project forward.Read more


Grant for Interior Received
An additional grant through the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council enabled completion of the Visitors Center.Read more


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.Read more


Historic Signage Installed
Markers have been placed throughout the town for a driving tour of former colony buildings.Read more


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.Read more


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