9 Towns In The Ozarks That Transport You To The Past
While the Ozarks are primarily celebrated for their natural beauty, they also serve as an enchanting portal to the past. Occasionally, nature even intertwines with history, revealing Civil War battlegrounds untouched by time, natural springs steeped in whimsical local legend, and breathtaking waterways that once played a vital role in shaping the nation.
The region's small towns, adorned with beautifully preserved historic districts, are equally effective at whisking you away to the past. From charming pioneer villages to cobblestone streets framed by Old World street lamps and Victorian homes, these 9 Ozark towns will carry you through America’s most iconic eras. Whether wandering their museums, visiting their historic sites, or exploring the landscapes once inhabited by our Indigenous predecessors, your journey into the past will be a memorable one.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs has been a vibrant tourist town since its founding in 1879, but the reasons have changed a bit along the way. Back then, the area’s mineral springs were thought to contain medical properties, drawing thousands to their supposed healing powers. Today, the springs are still an intriguing attraction at places like Basin Spring Park, but more so for their beauty and mysterious past.
Right next door, visitors can behold the Basin Park Hotel, one of Eureka Springs’ 5 historic hotels predating 1906. Along with these impressive landmarks, the town’s historic district boasts 967 buildings steeped in history, including a dazzling array of Victorian era homes. As the very first Historic District in Arkansas (listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970), Eureka Springs is all about transporting visitors to its colorful past.
Whether exploring the district by foot or taking an Eureka Springs Historical District Tours aboard an open-air tram, this historic downtown has some secrets to discover. For the adventurous history buff, the Downtown-N-Underground tour will reveal some of these mysteries, offering a unique perspective on the town’s folklore. The 90-minute tour will also help you explore the town’s hidden nooks, including an underground bathhouse. But there is also plenty to see above ground, including the Eureka Springs Historical Museum.
Eminence, Missouri
Over in Missouri, the hospitable town of Eminence has a fascinating and resilient past. The community was originally founded in 1841, just north of the Current River. But Eminence was forced to rebuild along the Jacks Fork River in 1868 after being burned down during the Civil War. Present-day Eminence serves as a reminder of all its predecessors endured, blending historic and natural landmarks in a really remarkable way.
Eminence is home to some of the world’s largest natural springs and prettiest caves, showcasing why settlers chose this beautiful area so long ago. Big Spring is Missouri’s largest, expanding the nearby Current River with around 278 million gallons of water on an average day. Eminence’s Round Spring Cave is also a fantastic spot to check out. The circular cavern was one of the very first parks in the Missouri state park system, established in 1932 for its striking beauty.
But the town’s best historic spring would have to be Alley Spring. Known for its turquoise waters, the site is also home to a bright red grist mill constructed between 1893 and 1894. While no longer operational, restoration efforts are currently underway, and the mill can still be toured.
Mansfield, Missouri
Under 2 hours west of Eminence, Mansfield is the perfect follow-up for literature lovers. Originally, the town was purchased in 1881 by a railroad surveyor, and by 1886, Mansfield was officially incorporated. But it was not until 1894, that famous American writer Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder moved to town with her family.
Ingalls is known for her iconic The Little House on the Prairie series inspired by her pioneer childhood. To see “Where the Little House Books Were Written,” the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home & Museum is a fascinating visit. The museum’s mission is to inspire and foster curiosity in the American pioneer era through Ingalls’ life and literature. Visitors can explore the Historic Farmhouse and Rock House, both of which Ingalls called home.
To learn more about the American pioneer experience, Mansfield is also home to the Bakersville Pioneer Village. Located on a historic homestead along the confluence of Baker Creek and the Gasconade River, this year-round attraction transports visitors to simpler times. While mainly known for its seed store, the attraction also has a restaurant, Home Folk and Bulk Herb Store Boutique, and the Village itself, with historic buildings arranged like a typical pioneer settlement.
Ozark, Arkansas
Back in Arkansas, Ozark is one of the state’s prettiest historic towns and one of its oldest. Founded in 1836, the settlement was established at the northernmost bend in the mighty Arkansas River. This is where the town got its name since "Ozark" comes from the French phrase "Aux Arc," meaning "at the bend."
Like other towns on this list, Ozark was forced to undergo a reconstruction after the Civil War. All but 3 homes were burned by Union troops (2 of which are still in use today), and Ozark lost its incorporated status. It was eventually reincorporated in 1869, and the town was rebuilt in the 1870s with banks, general stores, and saloons.
Present-day Ozark keeps the 19th and early 20th centuries alive with its Ozark Courthouse Square Historic District. Spanning two blocks by two blocks, the majority of buildings in the district were built between 1890 and 1930. The brick and quarried stone buildings are complemented by the district's 60 replica-antique streetlights, evoking a charming scene from the past. Spotlight landmarks include buildings like the Franklin County Courthouse and the Bristow Hotel, both constructed in the early 1900s.
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
About 2 hours northwest of Ozark, beautiful Siloam Springs had a similar start with settlers in the 1830s. However, the town only officially became established much later, in 1880. During that time, the town came to life with people interested in the area’s natural beauty. Like Eureka Springs, the town’s natural waters made it a popular health resort and summer retreat. This was only amplified when the town’s railroad opened in 1893.
For those interested in the stunning scenes that lured settlers to the area, Siloam Springs Kayak Park is a gorgeous place to picnic or ride the Illinois River rapids. For a historic site follow-up, self-guided tours through the historic district lead visitors to notable landmarks like the Crown Hotel. The hotel was constructed in 1881, making it Siloam’s oldest surviving building.
However, the district mainly showcases structures that emerged in the wake of railroad construction and continued until the onset of the Great Depression. For those looking to delve deeper into this heritage and history after exploring the district, a visit to the Siloam Springs Museum is the perfect way to conclude your day.
Batesville, Arkansas
As the oldest town in Arkansas, Batesville is a must-see for history enthusiasts visiting the Ozarks. Founded in 1821, this charming alpine settlement began as a popular port, playing a significant role in the state's growth. Due to its location along the meandering White River, Batesville then blossomed into a trading hub by the onset of the Civil War. Its strategic location made it a focal point during the conflict, with both Confederate and Union forces occupying the community.
Today, this landmark town preserves its past with a vibrant commercial historic district, along with 2 residential historic districts. Here you can find a wide range of historic homes, including the town’s oldest surviving building, the Garrott House, built in 1842.
Elsewhere, Batesville’s Historical Downtown District is famous for its impressive concentration of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Boasting Arkansas’s oldest Main Street, the Melba Theater is its spotlight attraction. While still retaining its historic charms, the 1875 opera house was renovated to serve as a modern movie theater, blending past and present.
Carthage, Missouri
Returning to Missouri, the Jasper County town of Carthage also shares a significant Civil War past. Similar to Batesville, its riverside location positioned it as a strategic battleground, ultimately leading to the town's destruction by Confederate guerrillas in 1861. It was later rebuilt in 1866, and the nearby mines spurred its economy, allowing the town to thrive.
In time, the community became synonymous with the Battle of Carthage. It is thought by many to be “the earliest full-scale battle of the Civil War,” preceding the famous Battle of Bull Run. Today, the Battle of Carthage State Historic Site is the town’s prize landmark, containing a portion of the battlegrounds. Visitors can take the Carter Spring Trail to walk the historic path, following the park’s historical markers.
Afterward, the Battle of Carthage Civil War Museum is the perfect addition to learning more about the famous battle. For a historical pivot just down the road, Carthage’s historic Jasper County Courthouse is another must-see historic attraction. Constructed from 1894 to 1895 in the Romanesque Revival style, the building’s medieval castle appearance is striking.
Branson, Missouri
Known primarily as a family vacation destination, Branson transports its visitors through time in a slightly more flamboyant way. The town is home to an array of nature-based historic attractions, like the Branson Scenic Railway, which was built in the early 1900s, and Talking Rocks Cavern, which was discovered in 1883. But what truly sets Branson apart is its unique history-themed museums and attractions.
The Titanic Museum is a popular locale transporting visitors to the tragic 1912 disaster. But Branson’s biggest historic attraction would have to be Silver Dollar City, an 1880s-style amusement park. First opened to the public in 1960, this one-of-a-kind park combines past and present in a really exciting way. Along with 40 modern rides and attractions, the park’s historic design elements are meant to resemble an 1880s Ozark village. The park also celebrates historic craft practices and craftsmanship, hosting blacksmiths, furniture-makers, traditional candy-makers, and glassblowers.
Bentonville, Arkansas
Like Branson, Bentonville’s historic charms offer a nice deviation from the usual. Despite its agricultural roots, Bentonville’s main claim to fame is its more recent history as the birthplace of Walmart. While the first store was built in the nearby town of Rogers, Bentonville has been known for housing Walmart’s headquarters since the 1970s. Today, the town celebrates its retail legacy with attractions like the Walmart Museum in downtown Bentonville.
As for those interested in Bentonville’s more traditional history, the town is brimming with other attractions, like the Bentonville History Museum. Here, you can learn more about the town’s 1836 founding and its earlier Indigenous settlements. Other landmark sites, like The Peel Museum and Botanical Gardens showcase the town's well-preserved history. The Civil War-era mansion and grounds transport guests back to Victorian America, with its 7 Victorian-inspired gardens and artifacts dating back to the 1800s.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to preserving history, these Ozark towns take great pride in their conservation efforts. Eureka Springs, although no longer a health resort town, continues to honor its renowned mineral springs with beautiful parks. Towns like Ozark and Batesville, while incorporating modern features like streetlights and movie theaters, still retain a touch of the past with their antique designs.
Each of these nine Ozark towns boasts its own unique history, yet they all effortlessly intertwine the past and present, showcasing their rich heritage while welcoming the beauty of the future. Whether visiting Eminence for its natural history, Branson for its exciting museums, or Mansfield for its more traditional historic attractions, your visit to the past will definitely be memorable.
