It took World War II to start an influx of homeseekers toward the
Ozarks. This invasion came as an aftermath of the war and Eureka Springs
received its share. At the opportune time, Marge Lyon and her genial
husband, Robert (“the jedge”), moved into the community and Marge began
telling the story of Eureka Springs and the Ozarks to a vast audience of
readers with her column, “Marge of Sunrise Mountain Farm” in the Chicago
Tribune. Marge was influential in starting thousands of people in quest
of the fuller life of the countryside. Retirement people flocked to
Eureka Springs to buy homes; others came to go into business. By 1950,
Eureka Springs had been given the nickname, “Little Chicago,” because of
the large number of people from that area.
The town of Eureka Springs owes Marge Lyon a vast debt of gratitude. Her
lucid lines have lured thousands of visitors to the hills, many of whom
came to stay and are now happily located far from the city’s noise and
confusion. They have helped balance the town’s economy and have added to
the culture and social life of the community.
In 1946, I located Ozark Guide magazine at Eureka Springs and have given
the community a national journalistic voice that has an influence in
bringing both tourists and homeseekers. Eureka Springs is the only Ozark
town having an Ozark magazine with national spread. It lays the magic
carpet for exit from the confusion of the city to the land of Ozark
enchantment.
The assimilation of the newcomers into the social and economic life of
the town has been successful. The ratio of newcomers to natives is now
about fifty-fifty. It is almost impossible to tell an old-timer from a
newcomer. The melting pot is doing its work.
* * * * * * * *
Eureka Springs is one of the two cities in Arkansas having a commission
form of government. The other city is Fort Smith. In 1918, this system
was adopted for our town. It provides for a commission of three persons,
one of whom is selected to act as mayor. The present commission is
composed of Mayor A. J. Russell, Ray Freeman and Col. C. C. King. Mr.
Russell has been mayor for fourteen years.
Eureka Springs is a city of churches with the following denominations:
Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Christian, Assembly of God Nazarene,
Episcopalian, Christian Science and Catholic. The Presbyterians have the
oldest church building. It was built in 1886 following the completion of
the Crescent Hotel. The same stone masons built both buildings.
The school system of the city is one of the best in the South. A modern
building was erected in 1951 and it is the last word in convenience.
Both the elementary and high schools have “A” ratings.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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