The Brick Capital of the World

                Established in 1870, Malvern's journey began as a humble railway station, but the town quickly transformed into a key player when it became the seat of Hot Spring County shortly after its incorporation. The region's rich agricultural and mineral assets laid a robust foundation for Malvern’s sustained economic growth, with brick production emerging as a pivotal industry.

                The Cairo & Fulton Railroad put Malvern on the map in 1873. Legend has it that a rail official, finding the hilly landscape reminiscent of his Virginia roots near Malvern Hill, convinced the company to adopt the name. Residents were eager to incorporate, making attempts in January and October 1875 that ultimately fell short. However, persistence paid off, and on July 22, 1876, the county court officially decreed the formation of Malvern, with Samuel Henry Emerson serving as the town’s first mayor.

                At the time, Rockport had long been the economic hub of the region, sitting at the head of navigation for the Ouachita River and serving as the county seat of Hot Spring County. But the advent of the railroad ushered in a period of rapid development for Malvern, prompting its citizens to seek a shift in government power. The initial vote in February 1877 didn’t yield success, but by July 1878, 176 voters rallied for change. On October 15, County Judge William Morehead authorized the county seat's relocation from Rockport to Malvern, marking a significant milestone in the city’s history. 

                The construction of the first county courthouse in 1888 was just one step in solidifying Malvern’s political and financial stature, with a new courthouse built in 1936. Adding to the city’s financial landscape, the Bank of Malvern was chartered in 1889, further invigorating economic activity in Hot Spring County. 

                Malvern has cemented its reputation as a hub for brick production, thanks to its rich clay deposits, particularly in nearby Perla (Hot Spring County). One of the trailblazers of this thriving industry was the Atchison Brick Company, which opened in the early 1890s. The timing was fortuitous; after devastating fires ravaged downtown Malvern in 1896 and 1897, the city seized the chance to rebuild with durable all-brick structures.

                In 1907, Malvern’s economic landscape evolved as the Clem family opened Clem Bottling Works, which quenchingly produced soft drinks such as Clem’s Orange, R-Pep, and Pep-Up, until 1972. In 1916, the Malvern Daily Record newspaper began publication. A year later, Arkansas Brick and Tile Co. took over the Atchison facilities, signaling a consolidation in the industry. Meanwhile, C. A. Bryan and Son was another early player, but after a fire at their plant, they sold to Malvern Brick and Tile Co. in 1924.

                The industry saw new developments in 1919, when Fort Worth-based Acme Brick Company acquired 120 acres in Perla. They began shipping products from their Perla Plant Number 1 in 1921, and just five years later, Acme took over Arkansas Brick and Tile’s operations, expanding their production footprint even more. While growth was somewhat stagnant during the 1930s and 1940s, the post-war years ushered in a period of strong expansion for Acme.

                Today, Acme Brick remains a cornerstone of both Malvern and Perla, reflecting the area’s continued commitment to brick production. A landmark development came in 1967, with the construction of a fully automated plant in Perla. The original Malvern plant was closed in 1980, replaced by a new operation named the Ouachita Plant. That same year, the city boldly proclaimed itself the “Brick Capital of the World.”

                Malvern is also the home of Grapette International, which manufactures Grapette soda and other soft drinks and beverage syrups sold throughout the world. Invented in 1939 by Benjamin T. Fooks, Grapette was originally based in nearby Camden (Ouachita County).

                Malvern is not just bricks and mortar; it is also home to a wealth of historic sites. The Alderson-Coston House, Clark House, Gatewood House, Strauss House, the Pine Bluff Street Historic District, and many more are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hot Spring County Museum adds to the rich tapestry of this vibrant community, preserving the legacy of a city built on brick, ambition, and history.

Arkansas' Only Ice Cream Company

             Based in Searcy (White County), Yarnell’s Ice Cream Company operated for four generations under the Yarnell family from 1932 to 2011, serving as Arkansas's sole ice cream-producing company. Following its closure due to bankruptcy in 2011, the company was acquired by Schulze and Burch Biscuit Co. and reintroduced in April 2012.

            Before Yarnell’s, the Grisham Ice Cream Company, known for producing Grisham’s Angel Food Ice Cream, was headquartered in Searcy in 1923, and later merged with the Terry Dairy Company in 1927.

            During the 1920s, Grisham and several other community ice cream companies in Arkansas were essential in rural areas with limited electricity. It wasn't until 1929 that Grisham acquired a refrigerated truck, enabling the company to extend its reach through its first truck route, using salt and ice to keep the ice cream cold. The truck ran between Searcy and Cabot (Lonoke County) in the south and to Tuckerman (Jackson County) in the north.

            In 1929, facing financial difficulties, Grisham was sold to Southwest Dairy Products, known for its Dairyland brand. Subsequently, Southwest Dairy Products went bankrupt, leading Ray Yarnell purchasing the plant in 1932. Yarnell had to pool all available cash and borrow against his life insurance policy to make the purchase, facing further financial challenges when the federal government declared a “bank holiday” in March 1933, freezing his funds. Yarnell went without a salary for a year and had to borrow additional funds to sustain the business.

            Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, the company steadily processed and sold ice cream products locally. Ray Yarnell's wife, Hallie, played a pivotal role as the bookkeeper, while their son Albert expanded the company's reach by delivering ice cream on his bicycle. The purchase of their first electrically refrigerated truck marked a significant milestone by the end of the 1930s.

            Following his return from serving in the Signal Corps during World War II, Albert Yarnell assumed the role of vice president and sales manager in 1948. His leadership was instrumental in guiding the company through its first major plant expansion in 1951, which significantly increased the company's production capacity. This expansion led to an expanded sales territory covering central and south Arkansas. Albert Yarnell's dedication was further recognized when he was named general manager in 1960, and subsequently became president following his father's passing in 1974.

            In 1970, the company achieved a significant milestone, reaching $1 million in sales. Five years later, Albert's son, Rogers Yarnell, joined the company. Notably, Yarnell's introduced the nation's first all-natural ice milk for the health-conscious market in 1978. By 1984, the company's reach extended throughout the region, earning acclaim for its "Down Home Goodness." In 1991, Yarnell's continued to innovate, introducing “Guilt Free,” touted as America's first fat-free, no-sugar-added line of ice cream.

            Until its 2011 closure, Albert Yarnell served as the company’s chairman, Rogers Yarnell as president/chief executive officer, and fourth-generation Christina Yarnell, who joined the business in 2001, serving as custom brand manager. The company was known for its consistent introduction of new products alongside its traditional favorites and ice cream novelties. Yarnell’s had a strong presence in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, and at the time of its closure, it was the only remaining ice cream company in Arkansas. Unfortunately, on June 30, 2011, the company ceased operations abruptly, attributing it to a struggling economy, difficulties in obtaining financing, and the inability to find a buyer.

            In November 2011, the Schulze and Burch Biscuit Company of Chicago, Illinois, acquired the Yarnell’s plant and most of the recipes at auction for a reported sum of $1.3 million. Subsequently, the company relaunched the Yarnell’s brand in April 2012. The ceremonial scoop was made by Gov. Mike Beebe at a press conference at the state capitol on April 19, 2012. Fast forward to June 2020, the production facility in Searcy was sold by Schulze and Burch to Turkey Hill Dairy of Pennsylvania, with the company retaining ownership of the Yarnell’s brand.