1The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, NewFamilySearch, Family History Library. "CHARLES WALTER TROTTER; Male; Birth: 03 APR 1880 Rogers, Benton, Arkansas; Death: 15 OCT 1954; Father: WILLIAM JACKSON TROTTER; Mother: FRANCES JANE KEY; Batch Number: 8115605 Sheet: 14 Source Call No.: 1260903 Type: Film."
1The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, NewFamilySearch, Family History Library. "CLARENCE HARDWICK TROTTER; Male; Birth: 19 JAN 1895 Bee, Johnston, Oklahoma; Death: 31 AUG 1948; Father: WILLIAM JACKSON TROTTER; Mother: FRANCES JANE KEY; Batch Number: 8115605 Sheet: 15 Source Call No.: 1260903 Type: Film."
1Benton County History of Arkansas. "In the year of 1832, Garland Harwick came to Benton County from Tennessee. He was a native of Scotland. He owned a number of slaves and they worked various farms owned by the Hardwick family.
One of these farms later became known as the Key Farm. With the aid of his slaves, Hardwick made tar from the giant pine trees and rafted it to New Orleans, long before the Civil War.
John Hardwick, Garland's son, established residence on one of the farms. His daughter Martha Eliza maintained a home there after marrying William E. Key.
William E. Key came to Arkansas from Tennessee in 1830. After his death, March 10, 1884, the property was passed down to his third child, Elbert Malcolm Key. E.M., or Ebbie as he was known, opened a small store on the family's property. Then, on June 21, 1887, he literally placed what had become a little community on the map. On that date, a United States Post Office was officially opened there.
The first Postmaster was E.M.'s older brother, Charles W. Key Charles was the father of Vera Key, who following completion of nursing school and a stint inthe Army Nursing Corp, serving in Europe as a "Grey Lady" during World War I, returned to Rogers to become a well-known figure there.
On November 12, 1887, E.M. Key became Postmaster, followed in succession by: George Trotter, Minnie Trotter, and finally, Charles Edwards. It was officially closed on August 15, 1914.
The Key Community was locted on Key Road, which was off of present-day Highway 12 approximately 12 miles east of Rogers. A portion of the community drew its water supply from the Key Spring. A ram pump was installed to provide water to the various buildings and homes. This spring and much of the Key Community is now under the waters of Beaver Lake. The Lake also necessitated the relocation of Key Cemetery.
One of the factors that afforded this small community a degree of success was that on the property was a shallow, solid-rock crossing of the White River. This crossing, known as "Slick Rock Ford", provided this traffic necessary to maintain the store and the Post Office. This bridge over the river on Highway 12 diverted much of the traffic. This factor along with improved methods of transportation, brought about the demise of the little town.
Two of E.M.'s sons, Ottis Cleora and Charles Lafayette, married and brought up families on portions of the original place.
The eldest son, Ottis Cleora, served in the army during the First World War. He then returned and spent his years in the Rogers area with his wife and family.
The second born son, Carl Hendrickl died October 18, 1919 of injuries received as he served in the army durning World War I.
E.M. had three daughters. All Three, Winnie Pearl, Mamie Ella and Eulalia Ruth married and moved to western Kansas. Mamie and Eulalia still reside in Garden City, KS. (all deceased)
The youngest son, Charles Lafayette married and raise a family in the Rogers area as well. He lived on a portion of the old home place for as long as possible, then moved his family to Rogers.
The property was left vacant until Charles' eldest, son, John Elbert and his wife Marcella moved there in the early 1980's
John's son, James Thomas lives there now, with his family.
All of the descendants of the Key Family still think of this White River Valley as home. Written by: John D. Key.".
1World WAr I.
1Benton County History of Arkansas. "In the year of 1832, Garland Harwick came to Benton County from Tennessee. He was a native of Scotland. He owned a number of slaves and they worked various farms owned by the Hardwick family.
One of these farms later became known as the Key Farm. With the aid of his slaves, Hardwick made tar from the giant pine trees and rafted it to New Orleans, long before the Civil War.
John Hardwick, Garland's son, established residence on one of the farms. His daughter Martha Eliza maintained a home there after marrying William E. Key.
William E. Key came to Arkansas from Tennessee in 1830. After his death, March 10, 1884, the property was passed down to his third child, Elbert Malcolm Key. E.M., or Ebbie as he was known, opened a small store on the family's property. Then, on June 21, 1887, he literally placed what had become a little community on the map. On that date, a United States Post Office was officially opened there.
The first Postmaster was E.M.'s older brother, Charles W. Key Charles was the father of Vera Key, who following completion of nursing school and a stint inthe Army Nursing Corp, serving in Europe as a "Grey Lady" during World War I, returned to Rogers to become a well-known figure there.
On November 12, 1887, E.M. Key became Postmaster, followed in succession by: George Trotter, Minnie Trotter, and finally, Charles Edwards. It was officially closed on August 15, 1914.
The Key Community was locted on Key Road, which was off of present-day Highway 12 approximately 12 miles east of Rogers. A portion of the community drew its water supply from the Key Spring. A ram pump was installed to provide water to the various buildings and homes. This spring and much of the Key Community is now under the waters of Beaver Lake. The Lake also necessitated the relocation of Key Cemetery.
One of the factors that afforded this small community a degree of success was that on the property was a shallow, solid-rock crossing of the White River. This crossing, known as "Slick Rock Ford", provided this traffic necessary to maintain the store and the Post Office. This bridge over the river on Highway 12 diverted much of the traffic. This factor along with improved methods of transportation, brought about the demise of the little town.
Two of E.M.'s sons, Ottis Cleora and Charles Lafayette, married and brought up families on portions of the original place.
The eldest son, Ottis Cleora, served in the army during the First World War. He then returned and spent his years in the Rogers area with his wife and family.
The second born son, Carl Hendrickl died October 18, 1919 of injuries received as he served in the army durning World War I.
E.M. had three daughters. All Three, Winnie Pearl, Mamie Ella and Eulalia Ruth married and moved to western Kansas. Mamie and Eulalia still reside in Garden City, KS. (all deceased)
The youngest son, Charles Lafayette married and raise a family in the Rogers area as well. He lived on a portion of the old home place for as long as possible, then moved his family to Rogers.
The property was left vacant until Charles' eldest, son, John Elbert and his wife Marcella moved there in the early 1980's
John's son, James Thomas lives there now, with his family.
All of the descendants of the Key Family still think of this White River Valley as home. Written by: John D. Key.".