Each year, the Daisy Airgun Museum creates a custom engraving for the annual Downtown Rogers, Arkansas, Limited Edition Model 25 BB gun. This is a fully functional Model 25 Daisy BB gun with laser engraving on the stock. This year, Daisy chose to highlight the Opera Block, located at the Southwest corner of Walnut and First Streets in our Historic Downtown. The annual issue of this commemorative gun will be closed when 500 guns have been produced or on the last business day of 2022, whichever comes first. The gun includes an insert card about the image and building.
The Opera Block in Downtown Rogers
Built in 1890, the historic Opera Block building, located at 102 - 104 W Walnut Street, hosted a variety of entertainers and speakers in Downtown Rogers. The third floor on the corner and the opera balcony were added in 1903. The original architecture is being preserved and restored and interesting remnants of the building's past still exist, including a poster from the speaking of Sitting Bull and handwritten names of performers and show dates which are found on the backstage walls. Another notable figure, Thomas Edison also spoke in the facility. Political events, high school graduations and traveling theatre groups use the venue until 1934. Over the years, street level businesses included two different banks, two grocery stores, clothing, department and shoe stores, a five & dime, a barber shop and a pharmacy from which the first automobiles were sold in Rogers.
John Mack of JKJ Architects, specializing in preservation of historic structures, has undertaken a long-term restoration project with intent to see this building, once again, feature storefronts, professional offices and a community meeting and performance area on the upper floors.
Daisy is the Leader in Shooting Education
If you ask a shooter or hunter today how they learned to shoot, you’ll discover that most of them took their first shot with a Daisy BB gun. Because airguns have form and function similar to firearms, it’s not uncommon to use a BB gun as a training gun, use as a primary practice rifle or use a CO2 pistol in order to be familiar with proper handling of a semi-automatic pistol. Because Daisy is the leading manufacturer of airguns, the company takes seriously its obligation to emphasize shooting safety.
Relocation of Daisy Manufacturing Significantly Impacted the Rogers Economy-CLICK HERE for full article.
(This segment taken from "James Hales: Remembering Rogers" April 29, 2021 article in the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, James Hales: Daisy BB Guns changed the fortunes of Rogers, then and now
"Until the late 1950s, there was very little industry in Rogers except farming, and the entire business community was concentrated in a five block area downtown. The population had remained fairly constant at about 3,500 for the previous 30 years, and then in 1958 something happened that changed the city forever."
"Cass S. Hough brought Daisy Manufacturing to Rogers from Plymouth, Mich. Labor problems caused Hough to look around for a more favorable area to relocate the successful Daisy BB Gun Company. A vigorous effort by Rogers' leaders Earl Harris (Harris Bakery and Harris Hotel), Gene Harris (American National Bank), Dorman Bushong (F&M Bank), Darrow Garner (homebuilder and developer), and others convinced Hough to come to Rogers."
"The local construction firm of Garner & Larimore built a huge facility south of Rogers at 2111 S. Eighth St. (U.S. 71S) to house the manufacturing company. In 1958, Daisy moved the entire plant, lock, stock, and barrel with about 60 key personnel and their families, to Rogers. The move took 38 train cars and 71 truck loads to move the machinery and raw materials for the new plant. It was almost miraculous that the move was completed and the company was back in business in a scant six months. The first BB gun was produced in Rogers on June 26, 1958."
"Daisy initially provided 500 good-paying jobs for the people of Rogers, and this number soon grew to about 1,000. Its success attracted other major industry, and in the 1960s several major companies located here."
Daisy is a major attraction and driver of the local hospitality industry.
The Rogers and NWA community benefits from the Daisy Airgun Museum which serves as a major Downtown Rogers attraction to visitors and residents alike. Hundreds of people visit the museum during The Daisy National BB Gun Championship Match (Daisy Nationals) each year. Downtown Rogers and Daisy Airgun Museum are especially busy the week of the competition. After a two year hiatus due to the pandemic, the national competition returned to the Rogers Convention Center and Embassy Suites Hotel June 30-July 3, 2022. Naturally, competitors and their families make a stop at the museum as part of their experience. Bikes Blues & BBQ also attracts throngs of visitors to Downtown Rogers and the airgun museum is a favorite.
J.R Shaw, executive director of Visit Rogers, a division of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, confirms an event like the Daisy Nationals helps the visitation footprint for Rogers and Northwest Arkansas. "Participants in the BB Gun Championship often extend their stays in the region. For some, their family vacation is planned around the event," Shaw shared. "It's an introduction of Northwest Arkansas to a generation of new travelers. It allows the region to show off a little bit. Competitors, families and staff stay at local hotels, eat local and visit local tourist attractions,' he continued. "The Daisy tournament is a shot in the arm for local businesses that are beginning to rebound after dealing with covid-19 the last two years," Shaw said.
Daisy is the world's oldest and largest marketer of airguns and related products. For over 125 years, most people have taken their first shot with a Daisy BB gun. The company also makes and markets GAMO Adult Precision Airguns, the worldwide leader in airguns.
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