Cecil

Certified Firewise Community/USA

The Cecil FireWise Board gets its inspiration from the tiny town's active volunteer fire department. Fire Chief Benny Lowrey has been active in the department since Cecil received its first pumper truck from the Arkansas Forestry Commission in 1978.

Lowrey's aunt, Lynda Molton, is also a member of the volunteer fire department, and tells Arkansas FireWise some of the history of the Franklin County town on the south bank of the Arkansas River.

History of Cecil

Cecil got its name from Thomas J. McClain who became the town's postmaster on Aug. 28, 1886. His oldest son was named Cecil. The town was previously known as "Pleasant Ridge".

Near the turn of the 20th century, t here were two stores in Cecil. One, owned by Ambrose Williams, was called "The Commissary." The other was called "Chancey’s Store". Owned by A.H. Chancey, it also housed the post office. Mr. Chancey was the Post Master, and Charlie Andrews was the mail carrier. Today, Tammy and Gary White operate a small store and cafe on Arkansas 41 (left) that is a gathering place for the community.

James Monroe Andrews, Lynda Molton’s great-grandfather, had a barber shop between the two stores. Mr. Andrews was also a carpenter and built Cecil Methodist Church and the church parsonage which is next door. The old Duard Langston house which sets just south of the Post Office is among several others he built in the area.

Mrs. Ola Titsworth, who turned 93 on Feb. 14, 2006 said her earliest memories of Cecil were the two general stores, post office, blacksmith shop, grist mill, barber shop, a local doctor named Dr. Downey, and of course the Methodist Church. Mrs. Titsworth still attends services regularly at the Cecil Methodist Church.

Things began to change in the late 40’s when natural gas was discovered on the Ralph Barton property just west of Cecil. One well after another was drilled, and the gas field is now one of the largest gas fields in the country.

When James Monroe Andrews built the Cecil Methodist Church in 1910, he placed a one dollar gold piece, an ear of corn, a Bible, and a mustard seed inside the southeast corner stone of the church. His belief was that if something should ever happen to the church that these items of faith would give the church faith enough to overcome. The Lish family donated the land for the original Cecil Cemetery. Within the past few years, the cemetery has begun to fill up, so the Andrews family recently donated an equal amount of property to the cemetery for future use.

James Monroe Andrews moved to Cecil from Illinois and reared eight children on Arkansas 41 North, Mr. Andrews was interested in music, comedy and entertaining. He was a wonderful fiddle player and jig dancer. During times when the community needed funds, Mr. Andrews would write plays and perform for audiences, donating all the money to the community. He died in 1940, but many of his descendants still remain in Cecil and are actively involved in the Cecil Methodist Church and the Cecil Fire Department.

Mr. Andrews’ great-great grandson, Fire Chief Benny Lowrey Jr. built the current fire station and is on the Board of Directors of the Cecil Methodist Church. And Andrews' great granddaughter, Lynda Molton, is Development Director for the Cecil Fire Department and a member of the church worship team. Like their patriarch, Mr. Andrews' descendants also write and perform skits and music to benefit the fire department, church, and community.