We have had a long look at the past and a peep at the present. What of
the future? In my opinion, the outlook for Eureka Springs is good. We
have a problem, but its solution is not impossible if we have faith in
the town as the founders had. The big problem of Eureka Springs is to
operate successfully on a strictly tourist income and meet the
competition of other Ozark resorts. We hear complaints that the season
is too short and the tourist patronage too light. The town was
originally intended as a health resort, based upon the curative
properties of the water from the springs. This slant is now secondary to
recreation. Our chief difficulty is in providing sufficient attractions
to hold tourists more than a day or two. This problem must be solved or
we will gradually fade out of the picture.
The building of two dams on White River, at Table Rock and at Beaver,
will have a great influence on Eureka Springs’ economy. These dams will
provide large lakes for recreational purposes. They will be within a few
minutes drive of our city. We now have approximately 150,000 visitors a
year but the average stay is only a day or two. When the lakes are
completed, we should have 500,000 or more tourists a year and they
should remain an average of five or six days. These figures are based on
what has happened at the Lake of the Ozarks and at Norfork and Bull
Shoals. Of course, it will require extensive advertising to meet
competition. Our facilities for housing and entertaining tourists will
have to be enlarged. The population of Eureka Springs should gradually
increase during the next few years. With the most scenic location in the
Ozarks, with flowing springs such as other towns do not have, with
nearness to two lakes with the best of fishing and water sports, it is
not extravagant to visualize the population of Eureka Springs as doubled
within a few years.
Appropriations have been made to start Table Rock Dam and the contract
has been let. Work started on November 2nd and will continue four or
five years. It is estimated that the building of this structure will
boost the region’s economy at least $50,000,000. Of course, Branson,
Missouri will profit most for the dam will be located eight miles above
the town, but other communities of the region will benefit also. The
headwaters of the reservoir will reach within a few miles of Eureka
Springs.
Beaver Dam has been approved by both houses of Congress, but
appropriations have not yet been made. If these appropriations are made
next year, work should get started by 1956 and the structure completed
about the same time as Table Rock. The Beaver Dam will be located about
ten miles southwest of Eureka Springs and it will be a big factor in
promoting the growth of the community.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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