The City that Water Built – Eueka Springs, Arkansas
Men were first lured by the crystal clear waters of the spring to the hills of the Arkansas Ozarks. The spring is believed to have been first used by the Osage Indians for it’s healing powers. The curative properties of the spring water soon spread. History says the first white man to find the spring was Dr. Jackson. The spring was found by Alvah Jackson in 1854. This started the greatest town boom in the recorded history of Arkansas rather than just a minor footnote.
One of Dr. Jackson’s sons had a painful inflammation of the eyes from an accident during a hunting trip in the area in 1858. Dr. Jackson went to what is now Basin Spring and got water for his son to wash his eyes. His condition improved in a few days. Dr. Jackson believed in the curative powers of the spring water. He started bottling the spring water and sold it as “Dr. Jackson’s Eye Water”. Soon word of mouth spread thru Arkansas and the surrounding states.
Later,Dr. Jackson treated wounded soldiers from both the Federal and Confederate army. However, Dr. Jackson’s sympathies lay with the South and in 1865 he nursed some Confederate soldiers back to health. Federal troops controlled Northwest Arkansas. Therefore the confederate troops had to hide in the mountains around Eureka Springs. The confederate soldiers camped out in the hills above the spring. In a few months the soldiers were reported to be completely recovered.
The medicinal benefits of the springs were not reported again until May of 1879. Judge Saunders of the County Court was soon introducted to the water by Dr. Jackson. Judge Saunders had erysipelas (a bacterial sking infection). Judge Saunders lost 33 pounds and reported to be completely rejuvenated in just 5 weeks. Judge Saunders said his hair returned back to black.
Of course, there is no way to determine whether the spring waters had any therapeutic value at that time. Subsequent analysis done on the waters have shown no chemical difference between these waters and those in other parts of Northwest Arkansas. Never the less; the legend was born.
In 1879, 50 people lived around the springs. Dr. Jackson reportedly stated that a town would grow here and it needs a name. Discussions begain as to what the town’s name should be. Jackson Springs and Saunders Springs were considered initially as names for the town. The name “Eureka” which means “I have found it” was suggested. This name was agreed upon as neither man wanted the town named for them. Eureka Springs as founded. The City of Eureka Springs, Arkansas was offically founded on July 4, 1879.
As word of Eureka’s miraculous, healing waters began to spread, thousands of visitors flocked to the original encampment of tents and hastily built shanties swelling the population to over 10,000. Shortly, the spring waters would bring 25,000 people to this town. The economy of Eureka Springs sprang up around the spring water. Thus Eureka was called “The City That Water Built”. The springs brought in tourists as well as people with health afflictions with the result that hotels, saloons, bathhouses, dry goods stores, groceries and liveries soon sprang up. Farmers began bringing their eggs, ducks and geese from hundreds of miles away to Eureka Springs to sell. The Railroad soon followed in 1893.
In 1881, the growning tourists population could stay in 13 hotels. “Deliciously pure and sweet” was the attributes given the spring water by newspapers in 1882. Today, Eureka Springs spa’s continue with their healing benefits.
Eureka Springs has been a popular tourist destination ever since. Today, Historic Eureka Springs, Arkansas is home to over: 3,000 motel rooms and cabins, 125 bed and breakfasts, 100 specialty shops (most locally owned), 20 art galleries, 75 restaurants and not one stop light. Eureka Springs offers lodging for every traveler’s needs.
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