09/02/2026
Camp Witbeck was a summer resort on the Jacks Fork River at the Highway 17 bridge, north of Mountain View. The resort opened in the 1920s as the logging industry in the region began to collapse, and the rivers became an attraction for recreation instead of industry. The resort consisted of assorted tourist cabins and a dining lodge. Three hot meals were served to guests every day. The staff at the resort would provide equipment and transportation for float trips along the Jacks Fork River.
In 1941, Camp Witbeck was purchased by the Beckman family and renamed Cardinal Acres. The resort continued to operate the same as it had since the 1920s, though the cabins and dining lodge were updated to reflect the changing times. The resort was later taken over by the Campbell family. In 1963, the Campbells sold the property to the National Park Service to become part of the new Ozark National Scenic Riverways, however an agreement was reached for private use of part of the land until 1991. It is said that the property fetched one of the highest prices of the entire new park, mostly due to the negotiation skills of Mr. Campbell. The historic resort no longer stands, but the property is now known as the Buck Hollow Access.
These postcards are courtesy of museum board member Alan Banks
