Welcome to the Hoo Hoo Monument in Gurdon, Arkansas, a unique and intriguing site that holds a special place in the history of the lumber industry. This monument commemorates the founding of the International Concatenated Order of the Hoo Hoo, a fraternal society of lumbermen established here in 1892. The Hoo Hoo organization was created to foster companionship and promote the lumber trade, with a focus on humor and camaraderie among its members.
The monument itself is a striking piece of art in the Egyptian Revival style, designed by the renowned sculptor George Zolnay. It was erected in 1909, originally as a bronze plaque on the Hotel Hall, the site where the Hoo Hoo was founded. After the hotel’s demolition in 1927, the plaque was moved to its current location on a granite marker, making it a rare and valuable piece of Zolnay’s work in Arkansas.
The Hoo Hoo Monument not only serves as a reminder of the town’s contribution to the lumber industry but also stands as a symbol of the quirky and lighthearted spirit of the Hoo Hoo society. This society, with its whimsical name and dedication to fun, was a significant part of the social fabric of lumbermen in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, the Hoo Hoo Monument continues to attract visitors who are curious about the history of the lumber industry and the unique story of the Hoo Hoo society. As you stand before this monument, imagine the bustling gatherings of lumbermen who once met here, sharing stories and laughter, united by their trade and the bonds of friendship.
