The history of the City of Rogers begins at the railroad, which blazed a trail into the area in 1881, following the path of the historic Old Wire Road. The route of the Frisco Railroad line, which traveled from St. Louis to San Francisco, established the business district of a community that in gratitude, took the sir name of Captain C.W. Rogers, as its own. At that time the Vice-president and General Manager of the line, Captain Rogers, was responsible for the decision to route the tracks through the area, opening a prosperous gateway for trade and passenger service.
B.F. Sikes, who owned the original 160 acres which became the town site of Rogers, gave the railroad the land required for right-of-way and the farmers adjoining the site contributed $600 toward the cause. Construction soon followed, and the first passenger train reached Rogers in May of 1881. Incorporation took place the next month, in June of the same year and the town sprang into existence.
Commemorating the historic significance of the railroad is the Frisco Caboose, located at the corner of First and Walnut, near the tracks which are still used today by the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad. Given to the City in 1981 by the Frisco Railroad, the caboose stands as a permanent reminder of our railroad roots, and is open to the public during the summer months.
Downtown Rogers is proud of our many historically significant buildings and the historical aura that you experience as you shop in our community. The shopping district remains occupied providing community members and visitors a variety of shopping, restaurants, arts, antiques, books, cards, children's wear, craft supplies, jewelry, candles, clothing, flowers, pottery, and much more.
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