Pictures of Eureka Springs

[Mith242]

Okay I guess technically Eureka Springs isn't in the NWA metro but it's pretty close and will probaby end up in the metro at some point in the future. Ironically there was an article in some of the papers last week before I went over. Sounds like tourism is still slowly declining. Sounds like a number of shopowners and B&B owners are complaining about the current city officials which have been pushing the more cultural and artistic aspects of the city and also pushing festivals. The bad part is it sounds like things really die off during the week. Even with more people moving to the NWA metro, it just mainly leaves benefits for the weekends. Some have been arguing that the city needs to better promote itself and have billboards on I-40 and also around Branson. I didn't see anything mention of it but to be honest I also think one aspect of the decline is the fact that it is rather tied to the Passion Play. Not to say people aren't religious, but church attendance is in decline in most areas. I think it's easy to guess that not as many people might be interested in the Passion Play, if not now then in the future. Either way I do think Eureka Springs needs to diversify and not have so much put on just one aspect of the town. Anyway enough talk and more pics. I'll post some shortly.

[Mith242]

Okay first off I'll start of with some random shots around the downtown area. Later I'll start focusing on some of the more exceptional buildings and also more of the Historical District. Eventually I'll also post some pics of some of the Victorian houses and of the springs themselves. I guess I hadn't really thought about it before but Eureka Springs does have the largest Historical District in the state. I wish I could remember now how many buildings are in it. Anyway time for some pics.

Okay I'll stop here for the moment. At least I have a few pics to get things started.

[Mith242]

Okay here's some more general pics around the downtown area. I've wondered just how many buildings there are in Eureka Springs 1905 and older, or that matter 1800's. There's also some pics of Basin Spring Park. I didn't see the spring there. I think perhaps it's been capped and that's where the fountain water is coming from. But I'm not sure about that. I've also been trying to figure out just how many springs there are in the city. Not including Basin Spring, I took pics of four and I'm sure there are ones I missed. I didn't have time for a very detailed view of the town.

Okay that's it for the moment. A little later today I'll post some more. I'll pick up next on some of the more exceptional buildings like the Flat Iron and the Basin Park Hotel.

[Mith242]

Here's some pics of a couple of my favorite buildings in Eureka Springs, the Flat Iron Building and the Basin Park Hotel.

[johnnydr87]

Ah yes, it reminds me of a claustrophobic hot springs.

[Mith242]

Here's some more shots of the Basin Park Hotel including some shots above the city from the hotel.

Okay now I need some more time to upload and post some more pics. More pics later today/tonight.

Ah yes, it reminds me of a claustrophobic hot springs.

Yeah before Hot Springs ended up being the big draw it was there was Eureka Springs. I wonder if in some ways Hot Springs later popularity helped Eureka Springs decline for it's spas.

[Mith242]

Here's some shots of another well known building in the city, the Crescent Hotel. Which is supposedly haughted by the way. For those of you not familiar with Eureka Springs it it's not in the downtown historical district area. It stands on top of one of the hills overlooking much of the city. First I'll post a pic of the 'trolley' routes throughout the town.

I still have some more pics of some of the springs and the Victorian houses but those will probably have to wait till tomorrow.

[masons_dad1]

I'm impressed. You've outdone anything the Eureka Springs A&P can do. It's amazing how I never seemed to really notice the many details of the buildings and all like in your pictures. Very awesome! I can't wait to see more.

BTW, I love the Christ of the Ozarks rising above all the trees.

[Mith242]

I'm impressed. You've outdone anything the Eureka Springs A&P can do. It's amazing how I never seemed to really notice the many details of the buildings and all like in your pictures. Very awesome! I can't wait to see more.

BTW, I love the Christ of the Ozarks rising above all the trees.

Thanks. I wish that maybe I had put off some of the side trips I made that day and spent more time just in Eureka Springs. I tried going to Thorncrown Chapel but they had it closed off for a wedding. I went to the Blue Springs Heritage Center. I think I was more impressed with it as the Eureka Springs Botanical Garden. They certainly seemed to have let the botanical aspect of it slide. They were also having a wedding near the spring so I wasn't able to get the shots I wanted there either. Anyway more pics later today.

[Mith242]

Okay the next group of pics will focus on some of the Victorian houses. Eureka Springs is known for it's Victorian architecture although there are some other styles in there as well. I tried putting in a few others that I found.

[Mith242]

Here's a few more general pics before I get to some of the actual springs themselves. I've also included a few of the Carnegie Library.

[Mith242]

Forgot a couple. I'm also trying to see if this will work. I've hit my monthly limit on flickr and I've having some problems with image shack.

[Mith242]

Okay let's start off with some of the Grotto Springs. This is the one closest to the Crescent Hotel.

Here's a few pics of Crescent Spring, not too far from the Crescent Cottage (not Crescent Hotel).

[Mith242]

Here's a couple of more springs as I slowly worked my way back to the downtown area. The first springs is Harding Spring.

Then the last spring I have (in the city limits that is) Sweet Spring.

The only other pics I have left are a few from the Blue Spring Heritage Center that's to the west of Eureka Springs and a few scenic overlook pics near Eureka Springs.

[itk]

So cool... you know, I've been to Eureka Springs probably 5-10 times in my life, yet I've seen so much more I think in these pics than in person!

The only thing I think I didn't see was the train depot...

[Mith242]

So cool... you know, I've been to Eureka Springs probably 5-10 times in my life, yet I've seen so much more I think in these pics than in person!

The only thing I think I didn't see was the train depot...

Yeah after I left I eventually realized I never took any pics of the train depot, the trolley depot or one of the trollies. Granted I really needed a lot more time than I had to see everything I would have liked. But the trolley depot and trolley was a bit silly since I was actually there. Somehow I never thought about it at the time. I need to go back sometime, not only to try to take more pics but to actually have some time to check out the shops some more. I didn't look too much because I was too busy taking pics.

[EurekaHouseDotcom]

Okay I guess technically Eureka Springs isn't in the NWA metro but it's pretty close and will probaby end up in the metro at some point in the future. Ironically there was an article in some of the papers last week before I went over. Sounds like tourism is still slowly declining. Sounds like a number of shopowners and B&B owners are complaining about the current city officials which have been pushing the more cultural and artistic aspects of the city and also pushing festivals. The bad part is it sounds like things really die off during the week. Even with more people moving to the NWA metro, it just mainly leaves benefits for the weekends. Some have been arguing that the city needs to better promote itself and have billboards on I-40 and also around Branson. I didn't see anything mention of it but to be honest I also think one aspect of the decline is the fact that it is rather tied to the Passion Play. Not to say people aren't religious, but church attendance is in decline in most areas. I think it's easy to guess that not as many people might be interested in the Passion Play, if not now then in the future. Either way I do think Eureka Springs needs to diversify and not have so much put on just one aspect of the town. Anyway enough talk and more pics. I'll post some shortly.

Thanks for your posting..you pretty much hit the nail on the head...and AMEN to your comments on the Passion Play...

I've been in Eureka about 20 years now...a Colorado transplant...and have seen many of the incarnations...(sorry passion play) of how Eureka wants to re-invent itself 'this time' - Some of the powers to be want to be Branson, some want the buses of PP worshipers to return..none of which will actually work. Times have changed. NW Arkansas has changed. Eureka's diversity is a welcoming lifeboat. Some are doing very well in Eureka, some just like the endless complaining as competitive sport.

I myself just like living here, owning a couple of businesses here and being able to enjoy NW Arkansas and the Ozarks in all its splendor.

And by the way...your pix are FABULOUS! you've captured Eureka's glory...Thank You!

[johnnydr87]

Read about Eureka Springs, its gay community, and "diversity weekends" here:

http://arktimes.com/Articles/ArticleViewer...29-1eb44853e328

[EurekaHouseDotcom]

Yes, I've read that article...what is everyone's thoughts on Eureka as presented in the article?

Eureka..yes, it's true , the nuts DO chase the squirrels

[johnnydr87]

I like it. It's open and unique.

Then again, I'm a pretty liberal socially....

Now, would I be comfortable if I arrived during some crossdressing fest? Um, probably not.

[Mith242]

Thanks for your posting..you pretty much hit the nail on the head...and AMEN to your comments on the Passion Play...

I've been in Eureka about 20 years now...a Colorado transplant...and have seen many of the incarnations...(sorry passion play) of how Eureka wants to re-invent itself 'this time' - Some of the powers to be want to be Branson, some want the buses of PP worshipers to return..none of which will actually work. Times have changed. NW Arkansas has changed. Eureka's diversity is a welcoming lifeboat. Some are doing very well in Eureka, some just like the endless complaining as competitive sport.

I myself just like living here, owning a couple of businesses here and being able to enjoy NW Arkansas and the Ozarks in all its splendor.

And by the way...your pix are FABULOUS! you've captured Eureka's glory...Thank You!

Glad you enjoyed the pics and welcome to the forum. Just curious, was it the pics that brought you to the forum? It's certainly an interesting town. I admit sometimes I'm amazed that overall people get along considering the different groups of people you have in the town. I was also curious if your businesses have been affected by the drop in tourism.

Read about Eureka Springs, its gay community, and "diversity weekends" here:

http://arktimes.com/Articles/ArticleViewer...29-1eb44853e328

Interesting article Johnny.

[Mith242]

Yes, I've read that article...what is everyone's thoughts on Eureka as presented in the article?

Eureka..yes, it's true , the nuts DO chase the squirrels

I guess I'm more on the liberal side as well so it doesn't bother me. Not sure everyone on the forum would agree though. I've wondered if any of the church groups coming to see the Passion Play ever see enough of Eureka Springs to know all this other stuff is going on. I've noticed before in the past that if you look closely you can see some Buddha statues around some of the homes as well.

[EurekaHouseDotcom]

I guess I'm more on the liberal side as well so it doesn't bother me. Not sure everyone on the forum would agree though. I've wondered if any of the church groups coming to see the Passion Play ever see enough of Eureka Springs to know all this other stuff is going on. I've noticed before in the past that if you look closely you can see some Buddha statues around some of the homes as well.

Actually, it WAS your pix that brought me here..but in kind of a round-a-bout way...a friend in TN sent me the link.

It's interesting, many of the church groups don't ever get as far as downtown..they stay on the highway, see the play and get back on the bus. But then there are groups who get a big shock when they actually SEE Eureka for what and who we are...not just our large gay/lesbian population, but also the metaphysical, the buddas, the artists, the musicians, and all the rest that make Eureka more of a metro area than some of the local metro areas.

And for that big statue...we hear all kinds of things..the folks into country western thinks it looks like Willie Nelson...it has been called the great chalk monster, the worlds largest milk carton with arms, and of course the gay crowd or the straight cross-dressers that come here feel welcomed by the 7 story dude in a dress

overlooking them...

And to our businesses...one has nothing to do with tourism, so it's great to live in a place like Eureka and work far, far away to make our living..the other...as seen by our screen name is more tourism related..but even that one has many business clients from the NW Arkansas corridor.

Is there a decline in tourism in Eureka..no, I don't think so...a shift..yes..a new tourist direction, yes..

but mostly what you hear or read is just many of the businesses are unwilling to see new directions, many just want things 'the way the were' say 20-40 years ago...I'm sure Bentonville, Rogers see some of that mentality too.

On another note, your pix from around the state are great..is that what you do for a living?

I'm also interested in knowing how those who visit Eureka, see Eureka in terms of what the town offers..the good, the bad, the ugly?

Maybe a new thread for those musings?

[johnnydr87]

Maybe a new thread for those musings?

I agree. Go ahead, create it.. (or mith?) and I'll chime in. We don't want this topic to become convoluted.

[mcheiss]

I guess I'm more on the liberal side as well so it doesn't bother me. Not sure everyone on the forum would agree though. I've wondered if any of the church groups coming to see the Passion Play ever see enough of Eureka Springs to know all this other stuff is going on. I've noticed before in the past that if you look closely you can see some Buddha statues around some of the homes as well.

It doesn't bother me one bit, I'm glad to see diversity in the area.