TimManBlog

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

April 30, 2024
(photos and memories from April 2018)
(If you like my posts, you can support this site with a donation via Paypal, Visa, Amex, Mastercard, or Discover by using the form at the bottom of this post. Thank you.)

“Eureka” means “I have found it.”

I drove into Eureka Springs from the north, not knowing what to expect as I entered Arkansas from Missouri. I soon found myself passing through a stone canyon along whose stream the Eureka Springs and Northern Arkansas Railroad had laid its tracks. I hadn’t expected to find a railroad.

Upon stopping for a look around, I found that the old railroad is still operational, but only for recreational purposes, and runs from April through October. The depot was outside of town, and I found other businesses here.

I continued into the center of town. By the surroundings of North Main Street, it became apparent that Eureka Springs was a resort town. Early settlers believed that the nearby natural springs had healing powers. Starting in 1879, the area was promoted as a destination for tourists and cure-seekers. Eureka Springs grew up around this activity, producing a thriving town full of Victorian architecture.

Although the popularity of “taking the waters” has declined in this century, Eureka Springs still draws tourists for its winding streets, old hotels, souvenir shops, mountain views, and old buildings.

I spent an hour walking through town. Main Street is at the lowest level, and the other streets wind uphill. I took photos of some old luxury hotels (still in use) and many old 19th-century buildings. Here are a few of the gems:

Carroll County, Arkansas, has two county seats: Berryville and Eureka Springs. In the early 1900s, Eureka Springs successfully lobbied for the establishment of a second county seat because the county’s hilly terrain made travel to the Berryville courthouse was so difficult.

The courthouse for the Western District of Carroll County was erected in 1908. This is a three-story limestone block structure with a bell tower and a US flag flying above it. However, the courtroom itself was closed because the bailiff had not yet arrived to unlock it. A sign explained as much.

I had no idea that Eureka Springs was such a beautiful tourist town before I arrived. All I had known previously was that it was a dot on the map and one of the two seats of Carroll County, Arkansas.

---

A list of all photo posts from the American County Seats series in TimManBlog can be found here.

All photos were taken by the author on April 16, 2018.

My lifetime hobby is traveling to all of America’s county courthouses, and each month, I post about a visit to a scenic or exciting county seat. It’s a hobby, and donations are greatly appreciated to help cover my costs.