Retracing our Roots
Retracing our Roots can be heard Saturday mornings at 11am on KTLO-FM, 97.9.
Listen to Retracing Our Roots with hosts Heather Loftis, Sammy Raycraft and local historian Vincent Anderson Saturday mornings at 11. The thirty-minute weekend show will take listeners on a journey from the early history of the area through the expansions of the mid-20th century.
Podcasts
Retracing Our Roots: Bootlegger and Businessman William Dewey Napier

Retracing our Roots: Hot & Fiery Streams of Liquor
ROR #28 Hot & Fiery Streams of Liquor Welcome to this week’s edition of 𝙍𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙨. We have a full crew today as Heather, Sammy, and Vincent discuss the influence of moonshine in Baxter County’s past.

Retracing Our Roots: Stateline Stories of Vengeance and Justice
Retracing Our Roots #26: Stateline Stories of Vengeance and Justice Join us today as Sammy Raycraft and Vincent Anderson talk about the fights and feuds that occurred on the Missouri-Arkansas state line. Before we begin, we want

Retracing Our Roots #25: The Free Black Experience in the Ozarks
This week, we delve into a lesser-known chapter of Ozark history: the Free Black Colony that thrived in Marion County, Arkansas, before the Civil War. Through the lives of two pioneering African Americans, David Hall and Peter

Retracing Our Roots: Turnbo Tales of Panthers & Bears
Retracing Our Roots #24, Turnbo Tales of Panthers & Bears This week we’ll conclude our discussion of one of the most prolific authors of the Ozarks—Silas C. Turnbo, who collected at least 816 Ozark stories and preserved

Retracing our Roots: Silas C. Turnbo – Ozark Scribbler and Historian
Silas C. Turnbo – Ozark Scribbler & Historian Welcome to 𝙍𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙨 with our host, Sammy Raycraft, and historian Vincent Anderson. Today, we begin our show with a couple of letters—not just from our

Retracing Our Roots: Pioneer Reunions, B-B-Qs & Homeruns
Welcome to retracing Our Roots as we grab our fried chicken, potato salad, and picnic basket and head to the Old-timer’s Reunion & Community Picnic! Our first stop takes us to the Fourth of July in 1902.

Retracing Our Roots: Ozark Caves: Echoes from the Dark
Welcome to Retracing Our Roots! Join us as we delve into the heart of the Ozarks, uncovering the stories and lore that have shaped our perception of the unseen world beneath our feet. Since the Ozarks boast

Retracing our Roots: 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬: 𝟏𝟖𝟏𝟖-𝟏𝟖𝟏𝟗, 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐
𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬: 𝟏𝟖𝟏𝟖–𝟏𝟖𝟏𝟗, 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐠, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝… By December 7, 1818, Schoolcraft and Pettibone finally made their way to Pontiac, Missouri, before continuing a few miles south to Oakland, Arkansas. Both

Retracing Our Roots: The Journeys of Henry Schoolcraft
Welcome to 𝙍𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙨 with your host Sammy Raycraft and historian Vincent Anderson. Today, we’ll embark on a detailed exploration of the Ozarks through the eyes of Henry Rowe Schoolcraft and his traveling companion, Levi Pettibone

Retracing Our Roots: Old Military Road & Nellie’s Apron
Welcome to 𝙍𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙨 with your host Sammy Raycraft and historian Vincent Anderson. Today, we’ll embark on a journey along a historic and weathered path: The Old Military Road. By 1834, the Arkansas Territory was actively

The German Colony of Baxter County
Strap on your Ozark-styled lederhosen and join the crew of Retracing Our Roots as we rediscover the fascinating history of the German Colony of Baxter County, established over 100 years ago. First, we’ll explore the unique German-etched

Victor K. Loba & the Hand of Opportunity
Step aboard and join the team of Retracing Our Roots as we explore the ambitious plans of the Ozarks Railroad Company to connect Springfield, Missouri, with Little Rock, Arkansas. Victor Kleo Loba, raised in Noble, Ozark County,

Ozark Stories in Twin Lakes Cemeteries
Welcome to Retracing Our Roots with your host, Sammy Raycraft, and historian Vincent Anderson. This week, we’re exploring old and unique cemeteries in the Twin Lakes Region. First, we’ll visit the Old Midway Cemetery in Marion County, home to

From Yellville to Everywhere: Twin Lakes Towns with a Story.
Join the Retracing Our Roots team as we delve into the fascinating history and unique origins of town names across the Twin Lakes Region. We begin with Yellville, the county seat of Marion County, Arkansas, originally known

Rush Arkansas and Mining in the Ozarks
This week on Retracing Our Roots, Sammy Raycraft and Vincent Anderson delve into the mining days of the Ozarks. Our first stop is Rush, Arkansas, where we uncover the story of this ghost town that once hosted

Episode 13 – Railroad Destination- Cotter Arkansas
All aboard! Join the Retracing Our Roots team as we journey along the White River to uncover the fascinating story of how the St. Louis, Iron Mountain Railroad was built through the White River Valley in the

Episode 11 – The Baker Building and Rapps Barren Brewery
This week, the Retracing Our Roots team is joined by Russell Tucker, one of the owners of Rapp’s Barren Brewing Company. We are especially grateful to Rapp’s Barren for serving as our corporate sponsor. In the first

Episode 10: Arkansas Pioneers and Baxter County Bald Knobbers
This week on Retracing Our Roots, Heather Loftis, Sammy Raycraft, and Vincent Anderson kick off the show by discussing how local elections were conducted in small counties at the courthouse and how the process of tallying election

Steamboat Whistles & Iron Wheels: The White River’s Golden Age
This week on Retracing Our Roots, pack your bags and join Sammy Raycraft and Vincent Anderson as we journey to the nearest steamboat landing on the White River! Step back in time along this historic waterway, winding

Episode 8: Mountain Home Cemetery: Legacies Carved in Stone
This week on Retracing Our Roots, we have a full house as we’re joined by Marshella Norell, president of the Mountain Home Cemetery. Together, we’ll uncover the stories behind the first burials, beginning with the Russell children

Echoes of the Chalkboard: Education in the Ozarks
This week on Retracing Our Roots, we’ll explore the lasting impact of the Truman family on education in the Ozarks, and how their contributions continue to shape the region today. The story of Professor A.J. Truman and

The Price of Progress: The History of Henderson & Tragedies at Norfork Dam
This week, we explore the history of Henderson, Arkansas, once a key point for transportation and mail, with vital ferry connections. In time, this small town gained a beautiful bridge that spanned the North Fork of the

Episode 5: The history of Norfork

Episode 4: The News & Voices of the Twin Lakes: The Baxter Bulletin and KTLO Radio
Heather, Sammy, and Vincent discuss the founding media companies that reported and amplified the voices of the Twin Lakes. A special archival piece at the end of the episode features KTLO’s Bob Knight live at the Cotter
Episode 3: Hook, Line, and Tourism: Fishing Tourism in Bull Shoals & Lakeview
Episode 2: Investment and Growth
Meet the original movers and shakers that came in after the dams had been put in who saw the potential of these waterways beyond flood control.
