In 1952, Bill Simmons had plenty of things to do. Among the few unpublished documents from this period is a letter that tells the story of his organization of a town barbecue. In this letter, he was seeking the appropriate amount of pickles, chips, and beans from local business leaders to arrange for the first-ever Silver Strike Jubilee, to be held in June of that year. This special event highlighted the town's close community, including the important role of local businesses, churches, and civic organizations.
A unique part of the jubilee was that Team Members from local places, including Pluss Poultry and John Brown University, were paid in silver dollars. Organizers thought that as the coins made their way through the local economy, residents would remember industry’s importance to the town. In addition to the community Jubilee, the grand opening of Pluss Poultry was celebrated. The event blended old-fashioned charm with modern progress and featured square dances, fireworks, parades, open house tours, and a fantastic barbecue.
Simmons left no detail untouched, meticulously organizing every aspect of the event, from personnel recruitment to infrastructure setup. The Silver Strike Jubilee embodied a time when small towns thrived without television, relying on community events and interpersonal connections for entertainment. Furthermore, the celebration evoked memories of wartime victories and shared patriotism, capturing the essence of a more communal era in small-town America during the 1950s.
Simmons believed the responsibility for the town's future lay with the business and professional community, as well as individuals dedicated to making Siloam Springs an attractive place to live, raise a family, and establish meaningful connections. To this day, visitors and Team Members alike can find one of the original Silver Strike Jubilee Silver Dollars hanging in a frame shadow box at our Home Office.
Today, Simmons continues to give back to Siloam Springs and other communities where our Team Members live and work. From donating to the construction of a splash pad in Gentry, Arkansas, aiding in the building of Panther Stadium and Simmons Field for Siloam Springs High School, to supporting essential services and nutrition through donations to fire departments and school food pantries. We remain committed to a people-first vision of supporting the local communities where we live and work.
