Morrilton Democrat newspaper, Apr 25, 1930, pg 26-27
Pleasant Hill is located about two and one half miles west of Center Ridge. It was settled by a man named BASKINS and several others in 1850.
These early settlers built a school house which stood where the Pleasant Hill cemetery is now. The building was a log structure with seats and desks made of split logs with holes bored in each end and eighteen inch pegs inserted for legs. The house was very uncomfortable because it had no windows and just a fireplace for heating.
There were few to attend the school at this early date and only three months term of school was taught during the year.
Jerry HALBROOK was probably the first teacher.
Later this comunity was made into a district by the aid of Thomas HALBROOK who then became the teacher. The school was named by Reverend BEARDEN father of Mr BEARDEN of Solgohachia.
The late Mr Babe KISSIRE of Morrilton and a large stockholder in the First Natinal Bank got his first schooling in the little log school house at Pleasant Hill. C.W. BREWER now of Oklahoma, received most of his early education at Pleasant Hill.
Several years ago the little log school house was abandoned and a two story building erected. This building is still used for elementary school and lodge. The old log house was bought by Jeff HILL and used for a blacksmith shop until recently when it was torn down.
Church at Pleasant Hill has been held in the school houses ever since the log house was constructed. Rev Woodie DAVIS who was an early settler of this community, was the first Christian preacher and Rev REED was the first Baptist preacher to preach here.
Mr REED was the first man to own and operate a gin in the community. The gin was a very slow process. It was later moved and a steam engine was used for power. Now the remains of this gin are in the junk yard at Center Ridge and a modern gin takes its place.
In about the year 1900 the rural route was established through Pleasant Hill and the mail was first carried by C.A. WILLIAMS.
Pleasant Hill has a great interest in the Nemo Vista high school for several reasons. She has many students in the high school and many of the inhabitants of the entire district are descendants of the early settlers of this community.