Compton possessed a lifelong passion for exploring and photographing the outdoors. He especially loved the Buffalo River basin area in the Ozark region in northwest Arkansas.  But in 1956 the basin was threatened with destruction when the United States Army Corps of Engineers renewed plans to build dams on the Buffalo River at Gilbert and Lone Rock. Protests by conservationists and fishermen resulted in a survey by a team from the National Park Service in October 1961 to determine if the river warranted protection as part of the National Park System. In May, 1962, Harold and Margaret Hedges of the Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club of Kansas City, Missouri, arranged for United States Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, a noted conservationist, to float the Buffalo River. Following the float, a meeting on the University of Arkansas campus on May 24, 1962, resulted in the formation of the Ozark Society, Inc., To Save the Buffalo River. Compton was elected its president. The Ozark Society launched a campaign to prevent the damming of the river which included appealing to elected officials, inviting journalists on float trips, and river cleanups. The campaign realized success when Congress passed legislation which was signed by President Richard Nixon on March 1, 1972, to create the Buffalo National River. The legislation gave the river the unique designation of the nation’s first national river.

Compton’s enthusiasm for the outdoors was supplemented by his interest in local history.  He served as president of the Benton County Historical Association in the 1970s. Compton retired from medical practice in 1976.  In 1982 his first book, The High Ozarks: A Vision of Eden; was published.  This was followed in 1992 by The Battle for the Buffalo River and The Buffalo River in Black and White in 1997.

His activities as a leading citizen and conservationist earned him numerous accolades. In 1963 he received the American Motors Corporation Conservation Award. The University of Arkansas awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1986, and in 1987 the National Park Service named him an honorary park ranger. In 1990 he received the first annual Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Award awarded by Congress. That year he also became the first recipient of the University of Arkansas Alumni Community Service Award. In 1992 he received the National Wildlife Federation Achievement Award and was inducted into the Arkansas Outdoor Sportsman’s Hall of Fame.  In 1993 the Arkansas State Library Association honored him with its Arkansiana Award.  In 1996 the Arkansas League of Women Voters presented him with the Horizon Award. He received the Ageless Hero Award for Community Service in 1998. Compton died on February 10, 1999.

The collection includes both Compton’s personal and professional materials. These include medical log books, calendars, correspondence, clippings, and various memorabilia relating to his past as a student of Bentonville High School, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas School of Medicine. Also included are drafts and notes Compton used in writing his books.

The collection contains materials relating to Compton’s activities as a conservationist and outdoor photographer.  Conservation materials include extensive files relating to the activities of the Ozark Society, especially its campaign to save the Buffalo River. Also included are materials concerning the Sierra Club, the Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club, and the Southwest Regional Advisory Committee of the National Park Service.  The collection includes correspondence exchanged between Compton and other conservationists, including folk singer Jimmy Driftwood and newspaper columnist Ernie Deane, and correspondence with sympathetic politicians such as Orval Faubus and John Paul Hammerschmidt.

The collection also contains materials relating to the Benton County Historical Association, as well as clippings and other materials relating to local history.

The collection includes an extensive collection of photographs, slides and negatives, as well as films and video tapes detailing the activities of the Ozark Society. The video tapes include footage of the Justice Douglas float and the Sam Walton family. The collection includes audio tapes used in transcribing The Battle for the Buffalo. The collection also includes framed items, plaques, and certificates. Finally, the collection contains clippings of the Marshall Mountain Wave from 1960-1966 not preserved elsewhere.

An appendix coordinating illustrations from The Battle for the Buffalo with their respective photographic prints in Series 3, Subseries 1 and 2, has been included at the end of this finding aid.

RESTRICTIONS APPLY:  Literary works can be copied for single, scholarly purposes only.  Photographs can be reproduced only with permission of the head of Special Collections. Items bearing the signatures of Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton have been removed to the vault. Photocopies of these items are included in the collection. To protect patients’ privacy, all medicals records are restricted for 75 years from the date of their creation.

This collection was donated to the University of Arkansas Libraries by the children of Neil Compton, Edra Compton Diaz, Bill David Compton, and Ellen Compton Shipley, on March 20, 2000.

Processed by Todd E. Lewis, Special Collections, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville, Arkansas, in August 2000.

Appendix:  Illustrations from The Battle for the Buffalo River

This series contains materials related to Compton’s personal life and achievements as well as his work as a doctor and writer. This series also includes his writings, both drafts of his literary works as well as shorter papers detailing his outings. Log books and calendars included in this series reveal his daily activities. Finally, this series includes correspondence between Compton and his family, friends, and acquaintances.

Subseries 1. Personal Materials.

This subseries includes materials concerning Compton and family, including some genealogical  materials.  It includes documents pertaining to his various honors and awards.  It includes Bentonville High School and University of Arkansas memorabilia. It also contains his shorter writings about canoeing and hiking outings as well as speeches. Finally, it includes clippings, magazine articles, and papers about Compton.

Box 1

 1. American Medical Association
 2. Bentonville High School
 3. Biographical Information
 4. Clippings
 5. Clippings–Neil Compton’s Obituary
 6. Clippings (Oversize; see Boxes 80 and 81)
 7. Crystal Spring Garden
 8. Crystal Spring Garden–Oversize Materials (See Box 80)
 9. Diplomas (Oversize; see Box 81)
 10. Family–David Compton
 11. Family–Wilmoth Family
 12. George Fisher Tribute (Oversize; see Box 80)
 13. Honors and Awards–General
 14. Honors and Awards–Ageless Hero Award, 1998
 15. Honors and Awards–American Motors Corporation Conservation Award, 1963
 16. Honors and Awards–Arkansas League of Women Voters, Horizon Award, 1996
 17. Honors and Awards–Arkansas Outdoor Sportsman’s Hall of Fame, 1992
 18. Honors and Awards–Arkansas State Library Arkansia Award, 1993
 19. Honors and Awards–Certificates
 20. Honors and Awards–Certificates, Oversize (See Box 80)
 21. Honors and Awards–National Park Service, 1987
 22. Honors and Awards–National Wildlife Federation Achievement Award, 1992
 23. Honors and Awards–National Wildlife Federation Achievement Award, 1992, Correspondence
 24. Honors and Awards–Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Award, 1990
 25. Honors and Awards–University of Arkansas Alumni Community Service Award, 1990

Box 2

 1. Honors and Awards–University of Arkansas, Doctor of Laws Degree, 1986
 2. Honors and Awards–University of Arkansas, Doctor of Laws Degree, Correspondence
 3. Honors and Awards–Westside Student Council Citizen of the Week, May 1988
 4. Charles McKnight–“Neil Compton: The Man Who Saved the Buffalo”
 5. Medical License
 6. Miscellaneous
 7. Outings Narratives–1962, 1966
 8. Outings Narratives–1967
 9. Outings Narratives–1968-1969
 10. Outings Narratives–1973-1976
 11. Outings Narratives–1981
 12. Outings Narratives–1982-1983
 13. Outings Narratives–1985
 14. Outings Narratives–1985, Notes for “The Great Eastern Tour”
 15. Outings Narratives–1986
 16. Outings Narratives–n.d.
 17. Photographs–Loan Lists, 1987
 18. Photographs–Loan Lists, 1989-1992
 19. Photographs–Keith Sutterfield and Associates

Box 3

 1. Presentations–Clippings
 2. Presentations–Correspondence, 1973-1974; 1983-1986
 3. Presentations–Correspondence, 1987-1992
 4. Presentations–Lecture Notes, 1983
 5. Presentations–Lecture Notes, 1984
 6. Presentations–Lecture Notes, n.d.
 7. Presentations–Photo Exhibits
 8. Rogers Medical Center
 9. Time Life Books
 10. United States Naval Reserve
 11. University of Arkansas–Biology Notebook, 1934
 12. University of Arkansas–Undergraduate and Medical School
 13. Veterans’ Administration Records
 14. Mel White–“Neil Compton: A Man to Match the Mountains”
 15. Writings by NC–“An Afternoon in the Ouachitas”
 16. Writings by NC–“The Big Buffalo, America’s First National River”
 17. Writings by NC–“The Boxley Valley Historic District”
 18. Writings by NC–“Man’s Impact on the Ozarks,” 1983
 19. Writings by NC–“Our Forests”
 20. Writings by NC–Miscellaneous

Subseries 2. Monthly Calendars

This subseries includes calendars on which Compton recorded his daily appointments and activities. Often he kept two calendars for the same month; in such cases both calendars are included.

Box 4

 1. Calendars–1967-1968
 2. Calendars–1970
 3. Calendars–1971
 4. Calendars–1972
 5. Calendars–1973
 6. Calendars–1974-1975
 7. Calendars–1976-1977
 8. Calendars–1978
 9. Calendars–1979
 10. Calendars–1980-1981
 11. Calendars–1982-1983
 12. Calendars–1984
 13. Calendars–1985
 14. Calendars–1986
 15. Calendars–1987-1988
 16. Calendars–1989
 17. Calendars–1990
 18. Calendars–1991
 19. Calendars–1992
 20. Calendars–1993
 21. Calendars–1994
 22. Calendars–1996
 23. Calendars–1997

Subseries 3. Physician’s Daily Log Book

This subseries contains the log books in which Compton recorded his medical appointments. The log books for 1960 and 1968 are not included in this collection. To protect patients’ privacy, all medicals records are restricted for 75 years from the date of their creation.

Box 5

 1. Log Books, 1951
 2. Log Books, 1952
 3. Log Books, 1953
 4. Log Books, 1954
 5. Log Books, 1955
 6. Log Books, 1956
 7. Log Books, 1957
 8. Log Books, 1958
 9. Log Books, 1959
 10. Log Books, 1961
 11. Log Books, 1962

Box 6

 1. Log Books, 1963
 2. Log Books, 1964
 3. Log Books, 1965
 4. Log Books, 1966
 5. Log Books, 1967
 6. Log Books, 1969
 7. Log Books, 1970
 8. Log Books, 1971
 9. Log Books, 1972
 10. Log Books, 1973
 11. Log Books, 1974
 12. Log Books, 1975

Subseries 4. Correspondence

This subseries contains correspondence between Compton and his family, friends, and acquaintances. Correspondence related to the Ozark Society is located in Series 2, Subseries 1.  Additional correspondence can be found in Series 2 in folders based on subject.

Box 7

 1. Correspondence, 1957-1960
 2. Correspondence, 1961-1962
 3. Correspondence, 1963
 4. Correspondence, 1965-1966
 5. Correspondence, 1967
 6. Correspondence, 1968-1969
 7. Correspondence, 1970
 8. Correspondence, 1971
 9. Correspondence, 1972-1973
 10. Correspondence, 1974
 11. Correspondence, 1975

Box 8

 1. Correspondence, 1976
 2. Correspondence, 1977
 3. Correspondence, 1978-1979
 4. Correspondence, 1980-1982
 5. Correspondence, 1983
 6. Correspondence, 1984
 7. Correspondence, 1985
 8. Correspondence, 1986
 9. Correspondence, 1987
 10. Correspondence, 1988

Box 9

 1. Correspondence, 1989
 2. Correspondence, 1990
 3. Correspondence, 1991
 4. Correspondence, 1992
 5. Correspondence, 1993
 6. Correspondence, 1994
 7. Correspondence, n.d.

Subseries 5.  Publications

This subseries includes materials related to his three books, The Battle for the Buffalo, The Buffalo River in Black and White, and High Ozarks. Drafts and notes for The Battle for the Buffalo comprise the largest portion of these materials. Other materials include drafts, correspondence with publishers and admirers, book jackets, and reviews of his works.

Box 10

 1. The Battle for the Buffalo–Chapters 1-3
 2. The Battle for the Buffalo–Chapters 4-6
 3. The Battle for the Buffalo–Chapters 7-9
 4. The Battle for the Buffalo–Chapters 10-11
 5. The Battle for the Buffalo–Chapters 12-13
 6. The Battle for the Buffalo–Chapters 14-16
 7. The Battle for the Buffalo–Chapters 17-19
 8. The Battle for the Buffalo–Chapters 20-21/Captions
 9. The Battle for the Buffalo–Book Jacket (Oversize; see Box 81)
 10. The Battle for the Buffalo–Book Signings
 11. The Battle for the Buffalo–Clippings

Box 11

 1. The Battle for the Buffalo–Correspondence
 2. The Battle for the Buffalo–Draft, Foreword/Introduction/Chapter 1/Chapter 2
 3. The Battle for the Buffalo–Draft, Chapter 1
 4. The Battle for the Buffalo–Draft, Chapter 4
 5. The Battle for the Buffalo–First Draft
 6. The Battle for the Buffalo–Early Draft I
 7. The Battle for the Buffalo–Early Draft II
 8. The Battle for the Buffalo–Draft 3
 9. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 2: The Great Northfork
 10. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 3: White River, The Queen of Ozark Waters
 11. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 4: The Engineering Dilemma
 12. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 5: The Conservation Idea Takes Wing
 13. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 6: Public Parklands, A Beginning
 14. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 7: A Country Boy Comes of Age
 15. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 8: Home From the War
 16. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 9: The Legacy of Lost Valley
 17. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 10: Enter the OWWE
 18. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 11: The National Park Service in the Field
 19. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 12: The First Hearing at Marshall
 20. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 13: Anti-Dam Sentiment–A Rising Tide
 21. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 14: Justice Douglas on the Buffalo
 22. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 15: The Real Buffalo River Landowners
 23. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 16: May 24, 1962–The Birth of the Ozark Society
 24. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 17: The National Park Service Field Report
 25. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 18: The Dry Buffalo
 26. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 19: The State Fair Fracas
 27. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 20: Learning the Ropes in D.C.

Box 12

 1. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 21: The Great Raid at Maumee
 2. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 22: Summer Doldrums
 3. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 23: The Marshall Armory–Second Time Around
 4. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 24: The Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors
 5. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 25: Bad Days on the Buffalo
 6. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 26: Governor Faubus Comes to Bat
 7. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 27: The Ozark Society–Turmoil Within
 8. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 28: The Election of ‘66
 9. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 29: Dogpatch and All That
 10. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 30: SB 704 Action and Reaction
 11. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 31: Lost Valley State Park–At Last
 12. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 32: The Book and the Bulletin
 13. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 33: The Great Tire Fire
 14. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 34: The Wilderness Act
 15. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 35: Growing Pains in the OZS
 16. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 36: Transmogrification of the BRIA
 17. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 37: The River War Widens
 18. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 38: Senate Bill 855

Box 13

 1. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 39: Dreamers and Schemers on the Buffalo
 2. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 40: Conservation: A Political Chess Game
 3. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 41: Some Final Moves Pro and Con
 4. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Chapter 42: The Jubilee Bus
 5. The Battle for the Buffalo–Long Draft, Miscellaneous Notes
 6. The Battle for the Buffalo–Rough Draft
 7. The Battle for the Buffalo–Miscellaneous I
 8. The Battle for the Buffalo–Miscellaneous II
 9. The Battle for the Buffalo–Publication Notes
 10. The Battle for the Buffalo–Reviews
 11. The Battle for the Buffalo–Slides and Illustrations
 12. The Buffalo River in Black and White
 13. The Buffalo River in Black and White–Poster, Barnes and Noble Book Signing (Oversize; see Oversize Folder 1)
 14. High Ozarks
 15. High Ozarks–Book Jacket (Oversize; see Box 81)
 16. High Ozarks–Clippings
 17. High Ozarks–Correspondence
 18. High Ozarks–Second Edition
 19. High Ozarks–Second Edition, Oversize Materials (See Box 81)
 20. Photograph Captions–September 1997

This series contains materials relating to conservation and to the history of northwest Arkansas. The materials on conservation concern parks and wilderness sites, especially the Buffalo River, and organizations such as the Ozark Society. Materials relating to history include items discussing places of historic interest in northwest Arkansas and efforts at historic preservation. Finally, hard-to-classify topics commented on by Compton in letters to newspaper editors are also included in subseries 2.

Subseries 1.  Conservation

This subseries contains materials relating to conservation organizations including the Ozark Society, the Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club, and the Sierra Club. Materials relating to the Ozark Society include correspondence, documents dating from the campaign to save the Buffalo River, annual presidential addresses, and information concerning regional chapters of the Society. Other Ozark Society materials include schedules, reports, and clippings on outings and social activities.

This subseries also includes items relating to the Southwest Region Advisory Committee of the National Park Service, on which Compton served in the 1970s, and materials on the Wilderness Bill of 1984. The materials include correspondence to and clippings concerning prominent figures interested in the conservation of northwest Arkansas’s wilderness, including journalist Ernie Dean and singer/folklorist Jimmy Driftwood.  Finally, this subseries contains clippings on a variety of nature topics, notably rivers, parks, and wildlife in Arkansas.

Box 14

 1. Advisory Board on National Parks
 2. Harold Alexander
 3. Arkansas Conservation Coalition
 4. Arkansas Conservation Council
 5. Arkansas Environmental Congress
 6. Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission–1977-1980
 7. Arkansas Nature Conservancy
 8. Arkansas State Highway Commission–Hearing Docket, 27 August 1975
 9. Arkansas Trails Symposium–1979
 10. Arkansas Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
 11. Arkansas Wildlife
 12. Arkansas Wildlife–Deer/Elk
 13. Arkansas Wildlife–Mountain Lions
 14. Arkansas Wildlife Federation–1961-1989
 15. Army Corps of Engineers
 16. Bear Creek Reservoir
 17. Beaver Lake
 18. Beckham Creek Cave
 19. Big Mulberry Creek–1968-1969
 20. Big Piney Creek
 21. Blanchard Springs Cavern
 22. Jim Boone
 23. Turner Brown–“The Last River”
 24. Buffalo River–Harvey Arden, “America’s Little Mainstream”
 25. Buffalo River–Army Corps of Engineers Report, 1964
 26. Buffalo River–Basin, Flooded Areas, Geological Survey Maps (Oversize; see Box 82)
 27. Buffalo River–Big Buffalo
 28. Buffalo River–Buffalo Point
 29. Buffalo River–Caves
 30. Buffalo River–Cemeteries
 31. Buffalo River–Clippings, 1957-1963
 32. Buffalo River–Clippings, 1964-1965
 33. Buffalo River–Clippings, 1966
 34. Buffalo River–Clippings, 1967-1969
 35. Buffalo River–Clippings, 1970-1971
 36. Buffalo River–Clippings, 1972
 37. Buffalo River–Clippings, 1973-1979
 38. Buffalo River–Clippings, 1980-1989
 39. Buffalo River–Clippings, 1990-1998
 40. Buffalo River–Clippings, n.d.
 41. Buffalo River–Clippings, Oversize (See Box 81)

Box 15

 1. Buffalo River–Department of Interior Proposal, 1968
 2. Buffalo River–Development, 1983
 3. Buffalo River–Development, 1984
 4. Buffalo River–Orval Faubus Statement, 10 December 1965 (Oversize; see Box 80)
 5. Buffalo River–John Heuston, “The Buffalo: New National River”
 6. Buffalo River–Horseshoe Canyon Ranch
 7. Buffalo River–Land Protection Plan Update, 1989
 8. Buffalo River–Legislation, 1971
 9. Buffalo River–Lost Valley
 10. Buffalo River–Map of Basin Showing Proposed Reservoirs (Oversize; see Box 80)
 11. Buffalo River–Master Plan Hearing, 1974
 12. Buffalo River–Miscellaneous
 13. Buffalo River–Pindall Landfill, 1986-1987
 14. Buffalo River–Photographs
 15. Buffalo River–Posters (Oversize; see Oversize Folder 1)
 16. Buffalo River–Rafts On
 17. Buffalo River–Recreation Study, 1979, 1981
 18. Buffalo River–Stickers For and Against Dam (Oversize; see Box 80)
 19. Buffalo River–Trail Plans, 1985-1986
 20. Buffalo River–Trails
 21. Buffalo River–Tyler Bend
 22. Buffalo River–Wilderness and Backcountry Management Plan, 1992
 23. Buffalo River Improvement Association–Flyer, “Oh, Mercy!  Gored,” (Oversize; see Box 80)
 24. Buffalo River National River Commission–1989

Box 16

 1. Cache River
 2. Camping–Miscellaneous
 3. Cherokee City Prairie
 4. Bill Clinton–Conservation
 5. Cossatot River
 6. Cossatot River–Map (Oversize; see Box 80)
 7. Cossatot River–Oversize Materials (See Box 80)
 8. Dams–Miscellaneous
 9. Tom Dearmore
 10. Sam C. Dellinger
 11. Ernie Deane
 12. Ernie Deane–Correspondence, 1975-1991
 13. Ernie Deane–Newspaper Column, 1975-1977
 14. Ernie Deane–Newspaper Column, 1978
 15. Ernie Deane–Newspaper Column, 1979
 16. Ernie Deane–Newspaper Column, 1980
 17. Ernie Deane–Newspaper Column, 1981-1982
 18. Ernie Deane–Newspaper Column, 1983-1984, 1990, n.d.
 19. Dioxin Contamination–1990
 20. Jimmy Driftwood
 21. Eleven Point River
 22. Environmental Issues
 23. Environmental Issues–Clear-Cutting Forests
 24. Federal Aid Highway Act of 1968
 25. George Fisher–“U.S. Corps of Engineers Coloring Book”
 26. Flatside Pinnacle
 27. Game and Fish Commission
 28. Alec Gould
 29. Governor’s Commission on Stream Preservation
 30. Grassy Creek
 31. Great Rivers Outdoor Writers Association Meeting–1966
 32. Greer Spring
 33. Avantus Green
 34. Hanging Rock
 35. Hobbs Estate
 36. Holland Bottoms
 37. Illinois Bayou
 38. Kings River Falls
 39. Kissimee River
 40. Lakes–Miscellaneous
 41. James Lane–Correspondence
 42. James Lane–Newspaper Column, 1981
 43. James Lane–Newspaper Column, 1982
 44. James Lane–Newspaper Column, 1983 and n.d.
 45. Lee Creek–Clippings
 46. Lee Creek Project–1985
 47. Little Red River
 48. Lost Bridge
 49. Maps–Notes and Sources
 50. McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System
 51. Miscellaneous
 52. Mississippi River
 53. Missouri-Ozark Trail (Oversize; see Box 80)

Box 17

 1. National Forest Service
 2. National Park Service–Buffalo River, 1964
 3. National Park Service–Citizen Advisors and National Parks, 1976
 4. National Park Service–Lyndon B. Johnson State Historical Park, 1977
 5. National Park Service–Southwest Region Advisory Committee, 1973
 6. National Park Service–Southwest Region Advisory Committee, 1975
 7. National Park Service–Southwest Region Advisory Committee, 1976
 8. National Park Service–Southwest Region Advisory Committee, January-May 1977
 9. National Park Service–Southwest Region Advisory Committee, June-September 25, 1977
 10. National Park Service–Southwest Region Advisory Committee, September 26-December 1977
 11. National Park Service–Southwest Region Advisory Committee, 1978
 12. National Park Service–Southwest Region Advisory Committee, Miscellaneous
 13. National Park Service–Southwest Region Advisory Committee, Notebook
 14. National Park Service–12-Point Plan
 15. National Wildlife Federation
 16. Newton County Wildlife Association–1993, 1995

Box 18

 1. Ouachita National Forest–1992
 2. Ozark National Forest–Proposal, Map, 1968 (Oversize; see Box 83)
 3. Ouachita Trail and River
 4. Ozark National Science Center
 5. Ozark-Ouachita National Forests
 6. Ozark-St. Francis National Forests–1985-1986
 7. Ozark-St. Francis National Forests–1988-1993
 8. Ozark-St. Francis National Forests–Clippings
 9. Ozark Society–Arkansas Trails System
 10. Ozark Society–Buffalo National River, 1961-1967
 11. Ozark Society–Buffalo National River, 1968-1972, n.d.
 12. Ozark Society–Buffalo National River Cleanup, 1966-1970, 1991
 13. Ozark Society–Buffalo National River Committee
 14. Ozark Society–Buffalo National River, Outings 1967-1992
 15. Ozark Society–Buffalo National River, Oversize Materials (See Box 80)
 16. Ozark Society–Buffalo National River, Proposal Map (Oversize; see Box 84)
 17. Ozark Society–Buffalo National River, Trip to Washington, D.C., 1971
 18. Ozark Society–Buffalo River Chapter
 19. Ozark Society–Certificate of Incorporation (Oversize; see Box 80)
 20. Ozark Society–Clippings
 21. Ozark Society–Constitution and Bylaws
 22. Ozark Society–Correspondence, 1961-1964, 1974-1979
 23. Ozark Society–Correspondence, 1980-1985
 24. Ozark Society–Correspondence, 1986-1995, n.d.

Box 19

 1. Ozark Society–Correspondence and Reports, Harold and Margaret Hedges, 1963, 1967-1969
 2. Ozark Society–Correspondence and Reports, Harold and Margaret Hedges, 1970-1971
 3. Ozark Society–Correspondence and Reports, Harold and Margaret Hedges, 1972-1973
 4. Ozark Society–Correspondence and Reports, Harold and Margaret Hedges, 1974-1979
 5. Ozark Society–Correspondence, Sam Sizer, 1975-1977
 6. Ozark Society–Delta Chapter
 7. Ozark Society–Finances, 1975-1994
 8. Ozark Society–Highlands Chapter
 9. Ozark Society–Indian Nation Chapter
 10. Ozark Society–Information
 11. Ozark Society–Lee Creek
 12. Ozark Society–Louisiana Chapters
 13. Ozark Society–Map, Geological Survey, Mt. Judea Quadrangle (OV; see Box 83)
 14. Ozark Society–Meetings and Activities, 1962-1975
 15. Ozark Society–Meetings and Activities, 1976-1986
 16. Ozark Society–Meetings and Activities, 1987
 17. Ozark Society–Meetings and Activities, 1988-1993, n.d.
 18. Ozark Society–Meetings and Activities, 25th Anniversary of Buffalo River Celebration, 1997
 19. Ozark Society–Members Lists
 20. Ozark Society–Members Lists (See Box 87)

Box 20

 1. Ozark Society–Miscellaneous
 2. Ozark Society–Mississippi Valley Chapter
 3. Ozark Society–Movie List and Commentaries
 4. Ozark Society–Movie Notes
 5. Ozark Society–Mulberry River
 6. Ozark Society–Nepal Trip, 1979
 7. Ozark Society–Origins and History
 8. Ozark Society–Plan of Action, 1982
 9. Ozark Society–Plan of Action, 1983
 10. Ozark Society–Points of Interest
 11. Ozark Society–Poster (Oversize; see Box 81)
 12. Ozark Society–Presentations
 13. Ozark Society–President’s Address, 1965
 14. Ozark Society–President’s Address, 1966
 15. Ozark Society–President’s Address, 1967-1968
 16. Ozark Society–President’s Address, 1969
 17. Ozark Society–President’s Address, 1970
 18. Ozark Society–President’s Address, 1972
 19. Ozark Society–Publications, 1979-1996
 20. Ozark Society–Pulaski County Chapter
 21. Ozark Society–Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE) II
 22. Ozark Society–H.R. Schoolcraft Chapter
 23. Ozark Society–Peter Sherrill, “To Save a River–The Ozark Society”
 24. Ozark Society–Ken Smith

Box 21

 1. Ozark Society–Sugar Creek Chapter
 2. Ozark Society–Trust Agreement (Oversize; see Box 80)
 3. Ozark Society–Wilderness Bill (H.R. 13455), 1974
 4. Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club
 5. Parks
 6. Pea Ridge National Military Park–Prairie Restoration
 7. Potato Knob Road
 8. Prairie Conservation
 9. Prairie National Park
 10. Razorback Wilderness Center–Poster (Oversize; see Box 81)
 11. Reservoirs–Man-made, Ozark-Ouachita Region (Oversize; see Box 80)
 12. Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE) II
 13. Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE) II–Clippings
 14. Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE) II–Louis Gregoire
 15. Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE) II–Map (Oversize; see Box 81)
 16. Rural Electrification Administration
 17. Rural Roads
 18. Rural Water Districts
 19. Searles Prarie
 20. Sierra Club
 21. Stone Jar Hollow
 22. Tennessee Conservation League–1993
 23. Trails
 24. Travel Services
 25. Trespassing Bill
 26. Water Projects
 27. White River
 28. Whiteley Creek
 29. Wilbur B. Mills Dam
 30. Wilderness Bill–1984
 31. Wilderness Bill–Arkansas Conservation Coalition Report, 1982
 32. Wilderness Bill–Ed Bethune
 33. Wilderness Bill–Clippings, 1979, 1982-1983
 34. Wilderness Bill–Clippings, 1984
 35. Wilderness Bill–Neil Compton, 1984
 36. Wilderness Bill–Correspondence, 1983-1984

Subseries 2.  Northwest Arkansas, Historic Preservation, and Other Topics

This subseries contains materials relating to the history of northwest Arkansas.  It includes items dating from Compton’s term as president of the Benton County Historical Society in the 1970s. Also included are materials relating to Orval Faubus and John Paul Hammerschmidt. Finally, subseries 2 includes miscellaneous materials, such as tree trimming in Bentonville and the biochemical herbicide Agent Orange, topics about which Dr. Compton made strong comments in the local press.

Box 22

 1. African Americans–Benton County
 2. Agent Orange
 3. American Rhododendron Society
 4. Arkansas Historical Association–Membership Committee
 5. Arkansas History–Mississippian Period Sites
 6. Arkansas Post
 7. Arkansas Post–Oversize Materials (See Box 80)
 8. Bates Memorial Hospital
 9. Bella Vista/Bentonville–Organizations and Clubs
 10. Bella Vista Historical Association
 11. Benton County–Historic Preservation
 12. Benton County–Historic Preservation, Clippings
 13. Benton County–Schools
 14. Benton County Historical Society–1972-1977
 15. Benton County Historical Society–1978-1981
 16. Benton County Historical Society–1985-1986, 1994-1998
 17. Benton County Historical Society–Membership Lists, 1978-1979, 1984-1985

Box 23

 1. Bentonville–Chamber of Commerce, October 1969
 2. Bentonville–Chamber of Commerce, November 1970
 3. Bentonville–Education and Enrichment Program
 4. Bentonville–Historic Preservation
 5. Bentonville–Jaycee Park
 6. Bentonville–Massey Hotel
 7. Bentonville–Sugar Creek Days
 8. Bentonville–Tree Toppers
 9. Bentonville High School–Class of 1930, Reunion, 1973
 10. Bentonville High School–Class of 1930, Reunion, 1973, Correspondence
 11. Bentonville High School–Class of 1930, Reunion, 1980
 12. Bentonville High School–Class of 1930, Reunion, 1990
 13. Bentonville High School–Class of 1930, Reunion, 1991
 14. Bentonville High School–Class of 1930, Reunion, 1995
 15. Bentonville High School–Homecoming, 1973
 16. Bentonville High School–Tiger, October-November 1930 (Oversize; see Box 80)
 17. Bentonville High School–Tiger Booster Club
 18. Bentonville Rotary Club
 19. Berryville–Historic Preservation
 20. Carroll County Historical and Genealogical Society
 21. Civil War Roundtable–1979, 1986

Box 24

 1. Charles Crawford
 2. Samuel Davis
 3. Dogpatch
 4. Eagle Gap
 5. Everton
 6. Falling Springs
 7. Orval Faubus
 8. John Paul Hammerschmidt
 9. R.W. Harvard
 10. Heptachlor Fandango
 11. “Old Man” Ingle
 12. Japton
 13. Larue
 14. Mark A. Lucas
 15. Marshall Mountain Wave–Clippings, 1960-1967 (Oversize; see Box 81)
 16. Richard Mason
 17. Meadowcreek Project–1983
 18. Miscellaneous
 19. Mt. Hersey–Settler Life, 1916-1926
 20. Mountaincrest Academy
 21. James C. Nance
 22. Native Americans–Arkansas
 23. Newton County–Tourism
 24. Ozark Folk Cultural Center
 25. Pea Ridge–Raymond Nelson, “The Story Told by Pea Ridge”
 26. Rose Cliff Hotel
 27. Schaberg
 28. Shiloh Museum
 29. Southern Living
 30. University of Arkansas–Caduceus Club
 31. University of Arkansas–Class of 1935, Reunion, 1975
 32. University of Arkansas–Class of 1935, Reunion, 1985
 33. University of Arkansas–Class of 1935, Reunion, 1990
 34. University of Arkansas–Museum Advisory Board
 35. University of Arkansas–Old Main Rededication, 1991
 36. University of Arkansas Press
 37. Van Buren–Historic Preservation
 38. Stand Watie
 39. Witchcraft/Cattle Mutilations

Compton was an avid photographer who used the images he made to educate people about conservation. Many of his photographs of the scenic Ozarks were subsequently published in newspapers and magazines as part of the Ozark Society’s campaign to save the Buffalo River. Also, he created numerous slides for use in lectures. It should be noted that not all of the photographs in this collection were taken  by Compton.  Where possible, photographs not taken by Compton are noted either on the print or in the folder title.

This series is comprised of images by Compton and others. Photographic prints are divided into subseries by both subject matter and size. Subseries 1-3 feature photographs of Compton and his family and friends; images of the Ozark Society and nature scenes; and flora including trees, shrubs and wild flowers. Subseries 4 includes images in which the specific subject remains unidentified. Subseries 5-6 contain matted oversize photographic prints and photographs used at Compton’s memorial service. Subseries 7 contains slides.  Subseries 8 is comprised of negatives, and includes both 35mm and 2"x2".

Subseries 1.  Neil Compton and Others

This subseries includes pictures of Neil Compton and his family, both as a child and an adult. It also includes pictures of him with friends and in group photographs such as Bentonville High School class reunions. Also included are photographs from his first trip on the Buffalo River in the early 1930s. This subseries also includes photographs of individual people; many of these images appeared in The Battle for the Buffalo.

Box 25

 1. Neil Compton I–Images 1-29
 2. Neil Compton II–Images 30-58
 3. Neil and Laurene Compton Family–Images 59-69
 4. David Compton Family–Images 70-82
 5. Neil Compton–First Trip on the Buffalo River, Images 83-92
 6. Neil Compton, Friends, and Others–Images 93-107
 7. Neil Compton–Award Presentations–Images 108-115
 8. Bentonville High School Classes of 1929 and 1930–Images 116-121
 9. Neil Compton and the University of Arkansas–Images 122-126
 10. Baptism–Rush Creek, 1916, Image 127
 11. Orval Faubus–Images 128-136
 12. Miscellaneous–Satanic Altar, Images 137-139
 13. Miscellaneous People–Images 140-166

Subseries 2.  The Ozark Society and Natural Scenes

This subseries features scenes of Ozark Society activities as well as images of natural scenes, such as rivers, streams, waterfalls, caves and caverns, valleys, and bluffs and other rock formations. Photographs pertaining to the Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club are included under the heading of Ozark Society.  Photographs documenting the damage done to the environment by logging, the building of roads, and the creation of reservoirs are included in this subseries.  Also in this subseries are photographs of man-made structures located in the Ozark forests, especially barns, schools, churches, bridges, houses, and cabins built by early settlers. Finally, while most of these pictures were taken in northwest Arkansas, a few depict scenes from outside this region, notably in other parts of Arkansas and in Missouri and Louisiana.

Box 26

 1. Arlberg Rainbow and Alum Cove Arches–Images 167-176
 2. Arnold Bend–Images 177-178
 3. Atkins Branch–Images 179-187
 4. Beaver Lake–Images 188-191
 5. Bee Bluff–Images 192-193
 6. Beech Creek–Images 194-207
 7. Beech Hurricane–Images 208-211
 8. Bentonville–Tree Toppers, Images 212-213
 9. Big Bluff–Images 214-228
 10. Big Piney–Images 229-243
 11. Big Piney–Dismal Creek Glory Hole, Images 244-256
 12. Big Piney–Hurricane Fork, Images 257-264
 13. Black Mountains–Images 265-266
 14. Blanchard Spring Cavern–Images 267-279
 15. Blue Bluff–Images 280-286
 16. Bluffs–Look-Off and Tony Bend, Images 287-290
 17. Bluffs and Rocks–Miscellaneous, Images 291-309
 18. Bo Bo Creek–Images 310-315
 19. Boat Mountains–Images 316-323
 20. Boen Gulf–Images 324-327
 21. Bollinger Settlement–Images 328-335

Box 27

 1. Boston Mountains–Images 336-337
 2. Bowers Hollow–Images 338-341
 3. Boxley Hill–Construction of Highway 21 I, Images 342-355
 4. Boxley Hill–Construction of Highway 21 II, Images 356-380
 5. Boxley Valley–Images 381-386
 6. Bradfield Gap–Image 387
 7. Buffalo National River–Above Terripin Branch, Images 388-393
 8. Buffalo National River–American Ornithological Union Float, 1969, Images 394-395
 9. Buffalo National River–Arkansas Publicity and Parks Commission Photos, Images 396-405
 10. Buffalo National River–Lower River, Above Rush, Images 406-410
 11. Buffalo National River–Lower River, Between Gilbert and the White River, Images 411-415
 12. Buffalo National River–Lower River, Clabber Creek Shoals, Images 416-421
 13. Buffalo National River–Middle River, Below Woolum and Above Tyler Bend, Images 422-426
 14. Buffalo National River–Middle River, Between Pruitt and Gilbert, Images 427-438
 15. Buffalo National River–Miscellaneous, Images 439-449
 16. Buffalo National River–Upper Buffalo Wilderness, Images 450-455
 17. Buffalo National River–Upper River, Above Pruitt and Below Steele Creek, Images 456-460
 18. Buffalo National River–Upper River, Between Hedges’ Hole and Pruitt, Images 461-468
 19. Buffalo National River–Upper River, Hedges’ Hole, Images 469-481
 20. Buffalo National River–Upper River, Rapids, Images 482-485
 21. Buffalo National River Park–25th Anniversary Celebration, Images 486-493
 22. Busby Hollow–Images 494-501
 23. Busby Hollow–Boulder Alley, Images 502-506
 24. Busby Hollow–Devil’s Crack, Images 507-511
 25. Busby Hollow–East Rim and Wall, Images 512-519

Box 28

 1. Buzzard Bluff–Images 520-522
 2. Buzzard’s Roost–Images 523-529
 3. Buzzard’s Roost–Labyrinth and Pillars, 530-536
 4. Buzzard’s Roost–Natural Bridge, 537-548
 5. Caddo River–Images 549-566
 6. Caves–Images 567-573
 7. Clinton Natural Bridge–Images 574-576
 8. Confederate Powder Kettles–Images 577-582
 9. Cossatot Mountains–Images 583-587
 10. Cossatot River–Images 588-606
 11. Creeks–Bailey, Caney, Cave, and Cedar, Images 607-611
 12. De Gray Dam–Images 612-620
 13. Dismal Hollow–Images 621-637
 14. Dismal Hollow–Streams and Waterfalls, Images 638-646
 15. Dogpatch/Marble Falls–Image 647
 16. Dug Hollow–Images 648-664
 17. Eagle Rock Boat Dock–Images 665-676
 18. Environmental Damage I–Images 677-694
 19. Environmental Damage II–Images 695-712
 20. Fall Scenes–Images 713-714
 21. Fane Creek Road–Images 715-720
 22. Flatside Pinnacle–Images 721-724
 23. Florida–Cedar Key and Jacksonville, Images 725-730
 24. Gordon Hollow–Images 731-732
 25. Grassy Creek–Images 733-737
 26. Grassy Creek–Bailey Creek Tributary, Images 738-748

Box 29

 1. Haws Creek Falls–Images 749-750
 2. Hemmed-in-Hollow–Images 751-762
 3. Hemmed-in-Hollow–Waterfalls, Images 763-775
 4. Hemmed-in-Hollow–Ken Smith Photographs, 776-778
 5. Henson Creek–Images 779-788
 6. Hole-in-the-Rock Creek–Images 789-800
 7. Hole-in-the-Rock Creek–the “Hole,” Images 801-808
 8. Hole-in-the-Rock Creek–Rainbow Falls and Vicinity, Images 809-821
 9. Home Valley–Images 822-828
 10. Home Valley–Bluff, Images 829-843
 11. Home Valley–Bluff, East and West Ends, Images 844-852
 12. Home Valley–Under the Bluff, Images 853-860
 13. Indian Creek–Images 861-869
 14. Indian Creek–the Arch, Images 870-881
 15. Indian Creek–Tunnel Cave, Images 882-896
 16. Indian Creek–Waterfalls, Images 897-904
 17. Indian Rock House Cave–Images 905-909
 18. King Bluff–Images 910-917
 19. Kings River–Images 918-926
 20. Kings River–Boulder Alley, Images 927-935
 21. Kings River–Kendall Bluff and Limestone Formations, Images 936-948
 22. Kings River–Penitentiary Mountain and Sparks Hollow, Images 949-953
 23. Kings River–Waterfalls, Images 954-961

Box 30

 1. Lamb Cove–Images 962-965
 2. Leatherwood Cove–Images 966-976
 3. Little Buffalo–Images 977-979
 4. Little Pine–Images 980-986
 5. Little Red–Images 987-999
 6. Lost Valley–Images 1000-1010
 7. Lost Valley–Ken Smith Photographs, Images 1011-1018
 8. Louisiana–Buffalo Bayou, Images 1019-1022
 9. McFerrin Hollow–Images 1023-1026
 10. Missouri–Elephant Rocks and Johnson Shut-ins Parks, Images 1027-1031
 11. Monte Ne–Image 1032
 12. Moore Creek–Images 1033-1040
 13. Moore Creek–Sikes Bluff, Images 1041-1045
 14. Mulberry River–Images 1046-1053
 15. Narrows Bluff–Images 1054-1061
 16. National Park Service–Southwest Region Advisory Committee, 1973, Image 1062
 17. National Park Service–Southwest Region Advisory Committee at Pine Island, Louisiana, Images 1063-1066
 18. National Park Service–Southwest Region Advisory Committee at Lyndon B. Johnson House, Image 1067
 19. Newberry Point–Images 1068-1074
 20. Northfork River and Dam–Images 1075-1080
 21. Oregon–Cape Perpetua and Crater Lake, Images 1081-1085
 22. Osage Creek–Images 1086-1102
 23. Osage Creek–Beverly Mountain, Images 1103-1106
 24. Ouachita Mountains–Images 1107-1108

Box 31

 1. Ozark Society–Ed Bethune, Images 1109-1113
 2. Ozark Society–1962, Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club, Judge William Douglas Float, Images 1114-1147
 3. Ozark Society–1963-1966, Images 1148-1165
 4. Ozark Society–1966, Eleven Point River, Images 1166-1175
 5. Ozark Society–1967-1968, Images 1176-1189
 6. Ozark Society–1967, Buffalo River Cleanup I, Images 1190-1210
 7. Ozark Society–1967, Buffalo River Cleanup II, Images 1211-1229
 8. Ozark Society–1968-1973, Buffalo River Cleanups, Images 1230-1235
 9. Ozark Society–1969, Images 1236-1242
 10. Ozark Society–1969, Caney Creek, Images 1243-1247
 11. Ozark Society–1971-1985, Images 1248-1254
 12. Ozark Society–1972, Jubilee Bus, Images 1255-1264
 13. Ozark Society–1984-1985, Jacob’s Cavern, Images 1265-1266
 14. Ozark Society–Donkey Down, Images 1267-1268
 15. Ozark Society–Float Trips, n.d., Images 1269-1293
 16. Ozark Society–John Heuston, Images 1294-1299
 17. Ozark Society–Miscellaneous, Images 1300-1315
 18. Ozark Society–Dr. Dwight Moore, Images 1316-1318
 19. Ozark Society–Sam Walton, Images 1319-1321
 20. Ozark Wildlife Club–Images 1322-1324
 21. Peccary Cave–Images 1325-1327
 22. Pedestal Rocks–Images 1328-1333
 23. Peter Cave Bluff–Images 1334-1336
 24. Ponca–Lower Water Bridge and Zinc Mine, Images 1337-1339
 25. Ponca Wilderness–Images 1340-1344
 26. Ponca Wilderness–Sneed Creek, Images 1345-1352

Box 32

 1. Red Bluff–Images 1353-1354
 2. Richland Creek–Images 1355-1362
 3. Richland Creek–Above Falling Water Campground, Images 1363-1374
 4. Richland Creek–Above the Mouth of the Bobtail, Images 1375-1380
 5. Richland Creek–Below Devil’s Fork Tributary, Images 1381-1383
 6. Richland Creek–Below Falling Water Campground, Images 1384-1387
 7. Richland Creek–Bobtail Creek, Images 1388-1394
 8. Richland Creek–Devil’s Fork Tributary, Images 1395-1402
 9. Richland Creek–Main Waterfalls, Images 1403-1409
 10. Road Construction–Highway 43 and Others, Images 1410-1418
 11. Roaring River–Images 1419-1423
 12. Roark Bluff–Images 1424-1428
 13. Running Creek–Images 1429-1435
 14. Sam’s Throne–Images 1436-1441
 15. Scenic Vistas–Buffalo National River and Environs, Images 1442-1447
 16. Searles Prairie–Image 1448
 17. Skull Bluff (Bat House Cave)–Images 1449-1461
 18. Smith Creek–Images 1462-1466
 19. Spring Creek–Images 1467-1472
 20. Structures–Beaver Dams, Images 1473-1474
 21. Structures–Barns and Outlying Structures, Images 1475-1487
 22. Structures–Bridges, Images 1488-1490
 23. Structures–Cabins and Houses, Images 1491-1509
 24. Structures–Cemeteries and Monuments, Images 1510-1514
 25. Structures–Churches and Schools, Images 1515-1528
 26. Structures–Dog-Trot Houses, Images 1529-1532
 27. Structures–DuVall Cabin, Images 1533-1539
 28. Structures–Edgmon House and Henderson Cabin, Images 1540-1545
 29. Structures–Fences, Images 1546-1553
 30. Structures–Ferries and Mills, Images 1554-1558
 31. Structures–Moss-Boling Homesite and Newberry Place, Images 1559-1563
 32. Structures–Sims and Smith Cabins, Images 1564-1567
 33. Structures–Led Steen Place, Images 1568-1572
 34. Structures–Stores and Other Buildings, Images 1573-1575
 35. Structures–Swinging Bridges, Images 1576-1581
 36. Structures–Turkey Creek Cabin and Wishon House, Images 1582-1585

Box 33

 1. Sulphur Mountain–Images 1586-1592
 2. Sweeten Creek Falls–Images 1593-1603
 3. Tablerock Reservoir–Image 1604
 4. Talimena Drive–Images 1605-1607
 5. Terripin Branch–Images 1608-1618
 6. Valley Y Ranch (Yarborough Place)–Images 1619-1642
 7. Viney–Images 1643-1646
 8. War Eagle–Images 1647-1661
 9. Waterfalls–Images 1662-1678
 10. Weathers–Images 1679-1691
 11. Webb Branch–Image 1692
 12. Welch Bluff–Images 1693-1694
 13. Whitaker Bluff–Images 1695-1700
 14. Whitaker Bluff–Hawks Bill Crag, Images 1701-1710
 15. Whitaker Creek–Images 1711-1724
 16. White Rock Area–Images 1725-1736
 17. Whiteley Creek–Images 1737-1743
 18. Whiteley Creek–Lower, Images 1744-1750
 19. Whiteley Creek–North Fork, Images 1751-1771
 20. Whiteley Creek–Pipe Organ Bluff, Images 1772-1786
 21. Whiteley Creek–South Fork, Images 1787-1799
 22. Whiteley Creek–South Fork Falls, Images 1800-1816
 23. Winter Scenes–Images 1817-1818

Subseries 3.  Shrubs, Trees, and Other Plants

Compton was an avid gardener, with a special affinity for azaleas. This aspect of Compton’s personality was expressed through his interest in recording the wild flora of northwest Arkansas. This subseries includes images of flowers, shrubs, trees, and other plants.

Box 34

 1. Shrubs and Other Plants–Azaleas, Images 1819-1824
 2. Shrubs and Other Plants–Flowering Plants, Images 1825-1841
 3. Shrubs and Other Plants–Rose Mallow, Images 1842-1846
 4. Shrubs and Other Plants–Vines and Herbaceous Plants, Images 1847-1855
 5. Shrubs and Other Plants–Water Lilies (American Lotus), Images 1856-1868
 6. Trees–Images 1869-1880
 7. Trees–Beech, Images 1881-1894
 8. Trees–Black Walnut and Ozark Chinquapin, Images 1895-1899
 9. Trees–Cedar, Images 1900-1913
 10. Trees–Gum, Images 1914-1920
 11. Trees–Hickory, Images 1921-1927
 12. Trees–Magnolia, Images 1928-1934
 13. Trees–Oak, Images 1935-1941
 14. Trees–Pine, Images 1942-1950
 15. Trees–Sycamore, Images 1951-1955
 16. Trees–White Fringe, Images 1956-1958

Subseries 4.  Unidentified Photographs

This subseries includes unidentified photographs.  Some of them are unique, while others may be duplicates of photographs from subseries 2 and 3. The photographs are grouped by subject.

Box 35

 1. Bluffs and Crags
 2. Canoe Floats
 3. Caverns
 4. Rivers and Streams
 5. Scenic Vistas
 6. Waterfalls
 7. Miscellaneous I
 8. Miscellaneous II
 9. Miscellaneous III
 10. Miscellaneous IV

Subseries 5.  Memorial Service Exhibit

This subseries consists of images used in an exhibit at Compton’s memorial service. While some of them are reproductions from photographs in other subseries, several are unique.

Box 36

 1. Harold Hedges, Roger Tory Peterson, Author and Ornithologist, August 1979
 2. Neil Age 2, Gentry, 1914
 3. Kappa Sigs 1934–“Nellie” Already Wearing Suspenders
 4. On Guadalcanal, 1944
 5. Receiving Honorary Doctorate
 6. 25th Anniversary Buffalo National River–Stewart Noland
 7. 25th Anniversary Buffalo National River–Sarah Anne Shipley, Neil Shipley
 8. Talking to Elementary Students, Bentonville, 1990s
 9. With Cleta and Jimmy Driftwood, Timbo
 10. The Famous Last Scout, 1980s
 11. Members of the Ozark Society Video Archives Committee at the Ferguson’ in Ponca, 1991; John Paul Hammerschmidt and Ken Smith, Ponca, 1991
 12. Game and Fish Hall of Fame Award
 13. With Laura Meyers on the Mississippi River, October 1997
 14. With Reenactors at the Battle of Pea Ridge, About 1996
 15. As an Intern at Cooper Hospital, Coundes, New Jersey, 1939
 16. The Famous Model A Ford, Purchased in 1934 for $37.50

Subseries 6.  Matted Photographs

This subseries includes both black and white and color matted photographs. Only in the case of photographs with identical titles is it noted whether the image is black and white or color. Most of them are reproductions of photographs in subseries 2 and 3. The photographs are grouped by subject.

Box 37–Bluffs, Crags, and Boulders

 1. Busby Bluff–Boulder Alley, 1978
 2. Busby Bluff–Devil’s Crack (Color)
 3. Busby Bluff–Devil’s Crack, 1972 (Black and White)
 4. Busby Bluff–The Pyramid, 1972
 5. Busby Bluff–Sandstone Dome, 1976
 6. Busby Bluff–Slump Rocks

Box 38–Bluffs, Crags, and Boulders

 1. Busby Hollow–East Rim, 1974
 2. Busby Hollow–Edge of the Abyss, 1972
 3. Beech Creek--Skinny Dipper Hole, 1979
 4. Buzzard Roost--1978
 5. Buzzard Roost–Arch, 1978
 6. Buzzard Roost–Natural Bridge, 1981
 7. Elephant Rocks State Park, Missouri–1976
 8. Indian Creek Canyon–Bottom Crevasse, 1968

Box 39–Bluffs, Crags, and Boulders

 1. Round Mountain–Stromolite Fossil Bearing Boulder,
 2. Spring Creek Bluff
 3. King Bluff–Saurians,1970
 4. Kings River–Mailcarrier Rock, 1964
 5. Whitaker Bluff–Hawks Bill Crag, 1972
 6. Whitaker Creek Gorge–1975
 7. Whitaker Creek Gorge–Pagoda Rock, 1968
 8. Whiteley Creek–Pipeorgan Bluff, 1974
 9. Unidentified

Box 40–Buffalo River

 1. Big Bluff–Cruising the Wilderness, 1987
 2. Big Bluff–February Floaters, 1985
 3. Big Bluff–From the Buffalo River Trail, 1986
 4. Big Bluff–From the Buffalo River Trail, 1987
 5. Big Bluff–From the River, 1988
 6. Big Bluff–Under the Bluff, 1985
 7. Big Bluff–View From the Goat Trail, 1984

Box 41–Buffalo River

 1. Buzzard Bluff–1969
 2. Hedges’ Place–1969
 3. Lower Buffalo–Near Buffalo Point, 1964
 4. Mutton Point at Erbie–1988
 5. Ponca Wilderness–Lone Canoe, 1987
 6. Steel Creek–Launching Canoes, 1987
 7. Upper Buffalo–1978
 8. Upper Buffalo–1980

Box 42–Buffalo River

 1. High Buffalo–“Forest Primeval,” October 1967
 2. Lower Buffalo–“Morning Mist,” June 1964
 3. Lower Buffalo–Tony Bend Bluff, October 1966
 4. Upper Buffalo–“Collision Course,” 1966
 5. Buffalo River–“The Newborn Buffalo,” Between Dug Hollow and Whitaker Creek, 1977
 6. Buffalo River–“Summer Shower,” Above Water Creek, ca. 1965
 7. Buffalo River–Joe and Maxine Clark in the Rain, Above Water Creek, ca. 1967

Box 43–Homesteads and Pioneer Structures

 1. Baer Farm–Apple Dryer
 2. Boxley Community
 3. Tom Butler Place–Stone Cabin
 4. DuVall Cabin–Dovetailing of Logs
 5. Osage–“The Last Cornshocks”
 6. Sparks Homestead–Double Cabin
 7. Sparks Homestead–Harold Hedges Beside a Chimney, 1969
 8. Led Steen Place–Barn Interior
 9. Stone Family Cabin
 10. Weathers–Post Office
 11. Unidentified–House
 12. Unidentified–Stone Wall
 13. Snowball–Captain Taylor House, 1982

Box 44–Other Rivers and Creeks

 1. Black River–Below the Johnson Shut-Ins, 1972
 2. Black River–Lower End of Rhyocite Barrage, 1974
 3. Eleven Point River–1965
 4. Elk River–Below Noel, Missouri, 1970
 5. Elk River–1982
 6. Greer Spring–Oregon County, Missouri, 1987
 7. Henson Creek–October 1972

Box 45–Other Rivers and Creeks

 1. Kings River–Above the Falls, 1968
 2. Kings River–Below Marble, 1986
 3. Kings River–Kendall Bluff, 1969
 4. Kings River–Pancake Rock, 1968
 5. Lees Creek–Doug and Scott Catcher, 1983
 6. Little Red–Joe and Maxine Clark, 1968
 7. Richland Creek–Falls, 1973
 8. Richland Creek–Hikers, 1965
 9. Richland Creek–Mouth of the Bobtail, 1969
 10. Shannon County, Missouri–Blue Spring
 11. Shannon County, Missouri–Rocky Falls Swimming Hole, 1986
 12. Sneed Creek

Box 46–Other Rivers and Creeks

 1. Caddo River–“Fearless Leader,” April 1969
 2. Cossatot River–“The Last Cataract,” Waterfalls, March 1967
 3. Beech Creek–Skinny Dipper Hole, 1978
 4. Beech Creek Gorge, 1979
 5. Big Piney–Hurricane Fork, 1968
 6. Dismal Creek–Waterfalls
 7. Dug Hollow–“In the Boulder Avalanche”
 8. Kingsriver–Kendall Bluff
 9. Kingsriver–Kendall Bluff, 1969
 10. Kingsriver–Under Kendall Bluff
 11. Little Red River–1969
 12. War Eagle Creek–1978
 13. Whiteley Creek–1972

Box 47–Scenic Vistas

 1. Beech Creek–Panther Camp Hollow
 2. Boat Mountains–1986
 3. Boat Mountain Pinnacle
 4. Boston Mountains–1974
 5. Boxley Valley–From Sikes Bluff, 1969
 6. Boxley Valley–Rainbow Over Boxley, 1978
 7. Buffalo River–“April on the Buffalo,” From Steel Creek Overlook, 1988
 8. Buffalo River–“Buffalo River Gorge,” Mouth of Hemmed-in-Hollow, 1986
 9. Buffalo River–“Down River from Buffalo Point,” 1987
 10. Buffalo River–Upper Buffalo Gorge, 1975
 11. Busby Hollow–Slump Rocks, 1984
 12. Henson Creek–Bluff Line
 13. Home Valley–1971
 14. Low Gap–“Evening Light at Low Gap,” 1988 I
 15. Low Gap–“Evening Light at Low Gap,” 1988 II
 16. Osage Valley–“Springtime in the Ozarks,” 1978

Box 48–Trees, Flowering Shrubs, and Vines

 1. Forest Scenes–“Beech Hurricaine,” [sic] 1972
 2. Forest Scenes–“Bent Twig, Virgin Woodland,” Hurricane Fork, Big Piney, 1969
 3. Forest Scenes–“Flaming Fall Review,” Busby Hollow, 1980
 4. Forest Scenes– Buffalo Point–“Morning Mist, 1984”
 5. Forest Scenes–“October at Pedestal Rocks,” Ozark National Forest, 1986
 6. Forest Scenes–“Virgin Forest as Seen From the North Rim of Dug Hollow,” Upper Buffalo Wilderness, 1973
 7. Water Lily (American Lotus)–Bentonville, 1975
 8. Wild Azaleas–Hudson Mountain, Newton County, May 1968
 9. Wild Honeysuckle–Dripping Spring, Kings River, April 1984

Box 49–Trees, Flowering Shrubs, and Vines

 1. Beeches–“American Beech (Fagus carolinanum),” Whitaker Creek, Upper Buffalo Wilderness, 1972
 2. Beeches–“Beech Lane,” Whiteley Creek, 1972
 3. Beeches–“Beechwoods at Bowers Falls,” Upper Buffalo Wilderness
 4. Beeches–“Virgin Beechwoods,” Boen Gulf, December 1968
 5. Beeches–“Virgin Beechwoods,” Whitaker Creek, Upper Buffalo Wilderness, 1972
 6. Dogwoods–“Dogwood in Color,” Beech Hurricane, 1970
 7. Gums–“Double Toppet [sic] Sweet Gum,” Dug Hollow
 8. Gums–“The Embers of Autumn: Nyssa Sylvatica–The Black Gum in Color,” Upper Buffalo Wilderness, 1980
 9. Gums–“Nyssa Sylvatica (Black Gum),” Ozark Highland Trail 1982
 10. Gums–“Sweet Gum (Nyssa Sylvatica) in Color,” Upper Buffalo Wilderness, 1968

Box 50–Trees, Flowering Shrubs, and Vines

 1. Hickories–“Shagbark Hickory,” Buffalo River Trail, 1987
 2. Hickories–“Shagbark Hickory,” Whiteley Creek, Upper Buffalo Wilderness, 1965
 3. Magnolias–“Cucumber Tree,” (Magnolia Acuminata), Whiteley Creek, Upper Buffalo Wilderness, 1970
 4. Magnolias–“Photosynthesis,” Umbrella Magnolia, Pickle Spring, High Buffalo River
 5. Maples–“Ozark Spring,” Sugar Maple, Wild Plum, Redbud, Osage Valley April 1981
 6. Maples–“Scarlet Maple,” Bentonville, 1981
 7. Maples–“Sugar Maple Grove,” Possum Trot Hollow, 1984
 8. Oaks–“Lightning Struck White Oak,” Whitaker Creek, Upper Buffalo Wilderness, 1969
 9. Oaks–“The Roof Tree,” White Oak, Dug Hollow
 10. Oaks--White Oak, “Winter in the Ozarks,” Searcy County, 1980

Box 51 –Trees, Flowering Shrubs, and Vines

 1. Ozark Chinquapin–“Archaediskidon Castanensis,” Atkins Branch, 1970
 2. Pines–“The Great Pines of Dismal Hollow,” Ozark National Forest
 3. Pines–“The Great Pines of Dismal Hollow,” Ozark National Forest, 1974
 4. Pines–“The 3 Pronged Pine,” Home Valley Bluff, 1971
 5. Sycamores–“Double Trunk Sycamore,” Whitaker, Ozark National Forest, 1966
 6. Sycamores–“Sycamore in Whitaker Creek Gorge,” Ozark National Forest, 1966
 7. Unidentified Tree I
 8. Unidentified Tree II
 9. Unidentified Tree III
 10. Unidentified Tree IV

Box 52 –Waterfalls

 1. Sneed Creek
 2. Atkins Creek
 3. Bowers Hollow–1978
 4. Dismal Hollow–Triple Falls
 5. Dug Hollow–“Sylvan Architecture,” Seven Falls Area, 1973
 6. Dug Hollow–“Waterfalls of Nativity . . .,” 1972 (Black and White)
 7. Dug Hollow–“Waterfalls of Nativity . . .,” 1972 (Color)
 8. Hemmed-in-Hollow–Diamond Falls, 1964
 9. Hemmed-in-Hollow–High Falls

Box 53–Waterfalls

 1. Indian Creek Canyon–Upper Falls
 2. Lewis Hollow–Hidden Falls, 1980
 3. Whitaker Creek–Double Falls
 4. Whitaker Creek–Twin Falls
 5. Whiteley Creek–Glen at the Entrance to the Penitentiary, 1974
 6. Whiteley Creek–Twin Falls in the Penitentiary
 7. Unidentified I
 8. Unidentified II
 9. Unidentified III

Box 54–Wild Flowers

 1. Azalea I
 2. Azalea II
 3. Butterfly Milkweed
 4. Christmas Fern
 5. Compassplant
 6. Indian Paint Brush
 7. Liatris Aspera
 8. Scarlet Lobelia
 9. Sweet Crab
 10. Umbrella Magnolia
 11. Yellow Ladyslipper
 12. Yellow Water Star Grass
 13. Azalea III
 14. Azalea IV
 15. Azalea V
 16. Azalea–Rose Shell
 17. British Soldier Lichen I
 18. British Soldier Lichen II
 19. Crab Apple
 20. Farkleberry
 21. Fern

Box 55–Wild Flowers

 1. Hawthorn I
 2. Hawthorn II
 3. Holly–Deciduous I
 4. Holly–Deciduous II
 5. Honeysuckle
 6. Lichen
 7. Moth Mullein
 8. Ninebark
 9. Pixie Cup Lichen
 10. Plum
 11. Purple Beard Tongue
 12. Rose Mallow Hibiscus
 13. Sassafras
 14. Sensitive Plant
 15. Silver Bell
 16. Spice Bush
 17. Sumac
 18. Sweet Gum–Leaves I
 19. Sweet Gum–Leaves II
 20. Water Lily (American Lotus)
 21. White Fringe I
 22. White Fringe II
 23. Yellow Primrose I
 24. Yellow Primrose II
 25. Yellow Primrose III
 26. Yellowwood

Box 56–Winter Scenes