The mascot at Gurdon (Arkansas) High School – the Go-Devil – reflects the schools’ location in timber country.

A go-devil is a piece of logging equipment that was used to harvest trees before the automation of the logging industry. It is a sled that resembles a cannon caisson, but without the cannon. Logs are placed in the middle of the go-devil, chained down and pulled out of the woods by mules.

Without the go-devil, the city of Gurdon likely wouldn’t exist. Now, the people of Gurdon remember its history through the high school mascot and remain proud of the tradition of hard work that the timber industry brought the community.

“It’s great to be a Go-Devil!” isn’t just a saying in Gurdon, it’s a way of life.