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Read More about this safari issue.Winslow & The Petticoat Government
In the early 1920s, a remarkable event took place in the small mountain town of Winslow. Long before women regularly held public office nationwide, Winslow elected an all-female city government. Newspapers called it the “Petticoat Government,” a term initially meant to shock. Instead, it made history.
Last year celebrated the 100th anniversary of this significant chapter in Arkansas history, reminding us that innovation does not always start in big cities. Sometimes, it begins in an Ozark town nestled in the Boston Mountains, where determined women decide their community deserves better.
During Women’s History Month, it feels right to revisit this story. Not only because it celebrates progress, but because it shows Arkansas has been quietly reshaping leadership for generations.
What is a “Petticoat Government”?
The phrase “petticoat government” was used in the early 20th century to describe a governing body made up primarily or entirely, of women. A petticoat, of course, was an undergarment worn beneath women’s skirts. The term was not exactly respectful at the time. It implied novelty, even skepticism.
But in Winslow, the label stuck for a different reason. The town elected women to serve as mayor, recorder, treasurer and aldermen. This was not symbolic leadership; it was real, full civic authority.
During a time when women were just beginning to vote nationally, Winslow appointed women to lead municipal decision-making. Instead of avoiding the nickname, the town’s leaders accepted it and began using it as a label to achieve greater success.
The irony of sorts comes from the male leaders in town who challenged the recent reform allowing women to vote by telling them to “run for office then and tackle these issues yourself.” The women went beyond legislation, working with residents to clean up their yards and streets. They raised money that built the “road up the hill,” passing over the famous railroad tunnel and easily connecting all parts of town.
The women enjoyed their roles and progress enough to run for reelection and served a second term together.
Who Was Maud Duncan?
Maud Duncan, a civic-minded reformer, was at the center of this movement, believing her town could be safer, stronger, and more organized.
In the early 1900s, Winslow was a railroad town going through growth pains and becoming a resort destination. Like many small towns of that time, it grappled with gambling, vice, and a lack of steady civic leadership. Duncan and other women in the community became worried about the town’s future and wanted better for their community.
Rather than complain from the sidelines, they organized.
Duncan, a local newspaper publisher and pharmacist, ran for office and was elected. Alongside a group of female leaders, she helped establish one of Arkansas’s earliest women-led local governments, which gained national recognition. The goal of these 10 women in leadership was straightforward: restore order, improve public life and secure the town’s future.
It was Ozark-style reformation.
What Did the Petticoat Government Accomplish?
Under Duncan’s leadership, Winslow experienced measurable change.
The women prioritized:
- Enforcing laws and limiting gambling activity
- Strengthening public safety
- Enhancing local government operations
- Improving the aesthetics of the town
- Rebuilding trust in local leadership
They viewed governance as stewardship. The emphasis was on responsibility, not power.
Their work reflected broader Progressive Era reforms happening nationwide, but in Winslow, it was personal. These were mothers, business owners, church members, and neighbors who understood that the future of their town relied on practical leadership.
The “Petticoat Government” proved that competence had nothing to do with gender. It had everything to do with commitment.
Today, women hold public office across Arkansas and throughout the nation. It’s easy to forget how rare that once was.
The Winslow experiment didn’t just impact one town. It proved that leadership could take different forms in the Ozarks. It demonstrated that civic reform could begin at the grassroots level. And it added a surprising chapter to Arkansas’s political history.
For a small mountain town, that’s a significant legacy.
Visiting Winslow Today
While Winslow is quiet today, its location makes it a charming and strategic stop for those exploring Northwest Arkansas. The mountain views are some of the best for a sweeping look at fall foliage, and as greenery returns in the spring, Artists’ Point at Saddle Canyon pull-off provides an easy spot for motorcyclists to catch their breath.
How can you experience Winslow and the surrounding area?
Stay in the Mountains
Winslow is known for its secluded cabin rentals, scenic lodges and wooded getaways. If you are attending events in nearby Fayetteville, staying in Winslow offers peaceful mountain views just a short drive away.
Explore Devil’s Den State Park
Just minutes away is Devil’s Den State Park, one of Arkansas’s most scenic destinations. With hiking trails, rock formations, caves and sweeping overlooks, it is a perfect pairing for a history-inspired weekend.
Wander through history. Don’t miss stopping in downtown Winslow, where some of the remaining buildings of this lively railroad town still stand. An extension of City Hall houses the Winslow Museum, featuring artifacts and memorabilia that tell the town’s storied history.
Drive Through the Boston Mountains
Winslow sits along the scenic stretch of Interstate 49 winding through the Boston Mountains from Mountainburg to Fayetteville. Especially in spring and fall, the drive alone is worth the trip.
Hike the Ozarks
Portions of the Ozark Highlands Trail are within reach, offering rugged, rewarding treks for outdoor enthusiasts.
Shop for Herbs
Take time to stop at the Beard and Lady Inn, in Chester. This restored railroad hotel captures the essence of the 1930s and beyond in its local restaurant and apothecary shop.
Craft a Little
Stop in at the Ozark Folkways, a unique destination committed to preserving traditional Ozark crafts and the people of the Boston Mountains.
A visit to Winslow is more about atmosphere than attractions. It’s about slowing down, appreciating small-town resilience, and remembering that history isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s steady and determined. It is the perfect day excursion when you want to just enjoy the views.
A Mountain Town That Made Its Mark
The Petticoat Government of Winslow is one of Arkansas’s most intriguing political stories. A hundred years ago, women in this Ozark town took on leadership roles and altered their community’s path.
Their story reminds us that progress often begins quietly. It starts when someone decides that change is possible and finds the courage to act. And, in the hills of Northwest Arkansas, that courage wore a petticoat.
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