Rogers celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1956 with a Diamond Jubilee celebration organized by executive committee members C.B. Porter, Hardy Croxton, Noel Boulware, John Sample, and Earl Bellmer. Volunteers staffed or chaired 36 committees, with the division chairs including Bill Hughes, Doris Larimore, John Walburn, Arthur Deason, C. Jimmie Carter, Ernest Godfrey, Reverend W.L. Miller, and Hardy Croxton.
Downtown merchants decorated their windows, there was a celebratory parade and ball, and Joyce Wilson was crowned “Miss Jubilee.” Women joined the “Sisters of the Swish,” wearing old-fashioned “swishing” skirts, and men formed the “Brothers of the Brush,” sporting beards and moustaches throughout the celebration.
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Members of the “Sisters of the
Swish” make then-Governor Orval Faubus an
honorary member of the “Brothers of the Brush”
during Rogers ’ 1956 Diamond Jubilee
celebration. Neg. #N008211
A gigantic outdoor historical pageant, “Rogerama,” written and directed by Parker Zellers, presented the history of the town in 16 episodes and featured over 300 local participants. A fireworks display concluded the evening.