Prairie Grove Heritage Museum & Historical Society

06/09/2026

Meeting TONIGHT of the PG Historic Society, 6:30 at the Museum. If you’re interested in joining, stop by!

06/02/2026

Dr. Frank Rigall
Dr Frank was an amazing figure in the city’s past. An accomplished doctor, businessman, city leader, and even attorney in his later years, he was one of the most influential men in the city’s history. He was probably the most accomplished academic ever to live in Prairie Grove.
He was born August 29, 1897, in Rochdale, England. At 15 he moved to Canada and soon after to the US. As a young man he worked as a telegrapher and as a dispatcher for various railroads in Canada.
He worked his way through the Kansas City College of Medicine while working for America Telegraph and Telephone, graduating in 1923. After graduation he found his way to Prairie Grove where he set up a medical practice.
While practicing in Prairie Grove, he enrolled at the University of Arkansas. He acquired a Bachelor of science in 1931, a Masters of Arts in 1937, and a Bachelor of Law in 1959.
He also completed post graduate studies from the Royal College of Surgeons and physicians in England.
Known as Dr. Frank to the Community, he partnered with his brother Cecil Rigall, also a physician, in a medical practice. In 1937, they built the Elizabeth Hospital, where Coyles Restaraunt is today. The hospital was named for their mother.
The Rigall’s recruited other Canadian doctors and Dr. Doug Manning and his wife of two weeks Eileen, an RN, joined the Hospital in 1952.
Dr Frank served as Mayor of Prairie Grove from 1947-1959. He resigned in 1959, after graduating law school and became the City’s attorney. In 1965 he passed away following a short illness. His wife Eva and son Rodney continued living in their home on west Bush street for many years.

05/15/2026

05/13/2026

Ever wonder what this concrete trough is in Mock park? If you’re interested come by the museum on Buchanan Street at noon Saturday for a short walking tour discussing city history. Learn about this and more, and the short tour should last around an hour.

05/13/2026

We need you! The museum is looking for a few capable volunteers to assist with cleaning and painting a room in the museum being converted from storage to usable display space. This is a historic structure so special care will be taken to protect and preserve floors and woodwork. The work, to be scheduled on a Saturday should be a one day project if we can get a few capable helpers.

05/13/2026

On Saturday May 9th the museum found a package with the items shown in the picture. No names were attached with the package. In order to identify who is in the pictures, could the donor please reach out to us here. Thanks

05/11/2026

Saturday the museum is open 9-12, and beginning at NOON we will offer a short walking tour focusing on the history of the area for anyone interested. The tour should last around an hour or less. Hope to see you there!

05/09/2026

A couple pictures we need help identifying :
1. Pretty sure it from the Kelly Canning Factory, and we think we may know who this is, but if someone can confirm, we would appreciate it.
2. Anyone recognize the stage or auditorium?

05/08/2026

With pretty weather here, it’s a good time to learn some local history. We have put together a short walking tour full of local history for small groups. If anyone is interested, respond here.