FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Ask anyone in the region, and they will most likely have a story to tell about Dickson Street in Fayetteville. A new book by Anthony J. Wappel, Once upon Dickson: An Illustrated History, 1868-2000, describes the evolution of this vibrant, historic thoroughfare. To celebrate the publication, Jose’s Restaurant, 324 W. Dickson Street, will host an autograph party from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 17.

Wappel’s book is the result of years of work. He worked for several years in the special collections department at the University of Arkansas and is now Washington County Archivist and Records Manager, with an office in the historic Washington County Courthouse on College Avenue.

While at the university, Wappel researched yearbooks, student and university publications, and other local print sources from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as images in the special collections department’s manuscript holdings and extensive picture collections. He also investigated the photograph collections of the Washington County Historical Society, now housed at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale.

The book also includes some notable images from private owners and more contemporary photographs taken by Wappel himself to document how the character of the street was changing during the construction of the Walton Arts Center.

The book documents how the location of the University of Arkansas at what would eventually become the western end of Dickson stimulated the establishment of shops and services catering to the university community. When passenger train service came to Dickson Street in 1881, so did rooming houses and eating places for travelers. The book reproduces advertisements for hotels, barbershops, dry cleaners and eating places that have existed along Dickson, as well as bars and music venues. Many of these eventually left Dickson and were replaced by other businesses more oriented to entertainment. Wappel’s book documents and preserves the energy and diversity that continue to make Dickson Street a focal point of Fayetteville business and culture.

Once upon Dickson tells the story of the street from east to west, decade by decade. The book contains more than 400 pages in hard covers, with nearly 370 images and a color dust jacket. Maps and diagrams help to locate the houses and businesses described in the text. An appendix contains a comprehensive inventory of businesses and residents at every address along the entire length of the street. An index also makes the volume more useful.

The price of the book is $22.50. It can be bought at local bookstores and online at http://onceupondickson.com/. Phoenix International, a Fayetteville publisher distributed by the University of Arkansas Press, brought out the book in cooperation with the special collections department of the University Libraries. The Advertising and Promotion Commission of the city of Fayetteville, the Bank of Fayetteville, the Lighton Family Foundation, Frank and Sara Sharp, and an anonymous donor provided additional financial support. Profits from sale of the book go to the special collections department of the University of Arkansas Libraries. For more information, visit http://onceupondickson.com/ or telephone (479) 521-2204.