Camden honors entrepreneur Monroe Bowie

— Martin Luther King Jr. wrote in his book “Strength to Love” that “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” The statement was not written to say people cannot make history, but to say that the lessons learned from history are what influences and shapes modern actions. The African American Historical Commission of Camden did its part to supply one of those lessons recently during its historical marker dedication to honor John Monroe Bowie at the Bowie Homes Property on Day Street.

Along with residents from the community, Camden Mayor Marie Trisollini, District 5 Rep. David Fielding and Alderwoman Irene Galbert were in attendance.

AAHCC President Terry Calahan opened the dedication by welcoming and thanking everyone for attending the event before Fielding led an opening prayer. AAHCC member Isaac Traylor then provided the occasion for the event. He took time to reflect on Bowie’s life and his accomplishments before announcing that the AAHCC will be erecting an historical marker in Bowie’s honor.

Bowie moved to Camden in 1898 when he was freed from slavery after the Civil War. Without any formal education, Bowie became a known businessperson, investor and philanthropist. He purchased 1,000 acres of land in and around Camden and formed a plantation that boosted the economy and provided jobs for many workers. He sold the land that would be the home of the International Paper Company of Camden to the Cullendale Real Estate Company for $17,500.00. He owned hotels, bathhouses, barbershops and restaurants in Hot Springs and Little Rock. His philanthropic endeavors included donating land for Mt. Hebron Baptist Church in Camden and Lafayette High School in Cullendale - a church and a school for African Americans, respectively.

Calahan provided more details about the life of Bowie. He explained that Bowie land stretched from Camden to near El Dorado on both sides of Arkansas 7. Calahan added that because Bowie had so much money, bank workers would happily go out to assist him when he would arrive for deposits.

“So in my opinion, he invented drive-through banking,” Calahan joked.

Willie Charles Cole then spoke on the naming of the Bowie Homes. In 1963, the Housing Authority of the City of Camden held a writing contest to solicit names for a new housing development, and an essay written by Cole - who was a student at Lincoln High School - suggested Bowie, and the name was selected. Cole brought a laminated excerpt from the Camden News in which his essay about Bowie was published. Cole said that he was inspired to write the essay selecting Bowie because he knew one of Bowie’s daughters, Georgia Morris. Cole stated that his grandmother owned a restaurant named “The Rails” near Morris, and that she would tell him a lot about her father’s accomplishments.

“When (Bowie) died in 1927, his estate was $500,000,” Cole shared.

Fielding said that he didn’t know much about Bowie until recently but that he is inspired by his accomplishments and the land he donated to benefit the community.

“I am where I am today because of men like Bowie,” Fielding said. “I stand on his shoulders. I’m able to do what needs to be done because of the support of the community you give me. He was able to do what he did because of the support of the community you gave him. We both saw the importance of giving back to the community.”

Trisollini then rose to announce a proclamation stating that April 1 will be known as John Monroe Bowie Day. Trisollini spoke about how important it is for people to learn from history, and encouraged everyone that they can start with nothing and become something great with hard work and dedication.

“It’s incredible to me how the people that made this community what it is are not here anymore, but they still effect this community,” Trisollini stated. “The way we think feel and act. It’s proof. Every time I come to something like this I’m not honoring someone who was born rich and spoon fed by mommy and daddy and given everything that they had without earning it. I have always been invited to commemorate people who came from nothing and became something huge. I’m always so honored to be allowed to participate in that kind of celebration for someone.”

Calahan led the litany of dedication along with the attendees before unveiling the marker with featured a graphic of a horse-drawn trailer. He said that there weren’t any pictures of Bowie so the group decided to come up with something that would represent Bowie. He thanked AAHCC member Tina Sams for the design.

Calahan then announced that two years ago, the group held a dedication to honor Gertrude Weaver at Carnes Park and that next month, the group will hold another dedication in Ivory Heights.

Upcoming Events