TOWN OF DYESS
P. O. BOX 49
104 CENTER DRIVE
DYESS, AR 72330
HOW DYESS BECAME AN INCORPORATED TOWN
W. R. DYESS
The colony was founded in 1934 by W. R. Dyess, WPA Administrator. He was later killed in the
1936 Goodwin Air Crash.
DYESS IN THE MAKING
The 16,000 acre project was carved from the swampy low lands of Mississippi County by the
back breaking toil of the first people that came. Funds were sent in to the state by the Federal
Emergency relief Administration to aid farmers. They entered into 20 year contracts to pay for
homes.
STOCKS AND OPERATION
The shares of stock, at that time, were held in Washington by the WPA (Work Progressive
Administration). Col. Lawrence Westbrook was management Council on the Dyess Rural
Rehabilitation Corporation which described itself as a non-profit unit. The WPA acted as an
advisory over the project.
PURCHASE OF LAND PER ACRE
The land was purchased by the government at prices ranging from $2.50 to $7.50 an acre.
MONEY SPENT AFTER 4 YEARS
Over a 4 year period, the government had put funds into project grants totaling $3,396,250.00.
HOUSE SIZES AND CONVENIENCES
The houses were built in 3 to 6 rooms size. Houses were equipped with plumbing, electrical
wiring and sewer connections. At the time, these conveniences were never put into use outside
the community service area.
POPULATION
Families from the 1936 Goodwin Air Crash were taken from the relief rolls and placed in the
colony. After 4 years, the population was anywhere from 2,800 to 3,000 people. All receiving
the benefits of a modern school system, a well staffed hospital, band and other social contacts that
might be found in a well regulated rural community.
MANAGER
E. S. Dudley was resident manager.
PURCHASE OF TRACK
Purchase price of tracks varied averaging $2,000.00 for land, $1,450.00 for a house, $250.00 for
a barn, out houses and wells had a $243.00 location fee. An annual payment of $154.77 varied.
Dyess was incorporated into a town in 1965 and has shown improvement ever since. They have
two fire trucks, a grass fire 1,000 gallon tanker, a good water system, and a wastewater treatment
plant that is the activated sludge type. Approximately 90% of the streets are asphalt type
covered.
What year was the Dyess Colony founded? 1934
Who was the president that started the Work Progressive Administration of Dyess? Franklin D.
Roosevelt
Who was Governor of Arkansas when project was started? Gov. Bailey
What building and service did the founding colony have that at the time was not offered in
Osceola? A hospital, it is my understanding nearest hospital was Blytheville or Jonesboro.
How many acres were in the Work Progressive Administration project that started Dyess Colony?
16,000
How long was W. R. Dyess WPA Administrator? And why? 2 Years, because he was killed in
the Goodwin Air Crash.
How many acres were offered to a family starting in Dyess colony? 20 Acres.
How long were the contracts for each family entering into project? 20 years
What items did the inside community have that the outside did not when the colony started?
Houses were equipped with pluming, electrical wiring and sewage connections.
What year did rural area receive electricity? 1947
What year did Dyess become an Incorporated Town? 1965
Who wrote a song that describes a flood that happened in Dyess? And what is the name of the
song? Johnny Cash How High's the Water Mama.