A Visit to Eureka Springs in Arkansas
Santa Clara, CA
October 2, 2018
Greetings from Perri and Monina in the San Francisco Bay Area:
Last week we wrote about our visit to Branson Missouri, the live entertainment capital of America. From Branson we proceeded to Eureka Springs in Arkansas.
Eureka Springs in Arkansas had long been known to Indian tribes for its natural springs with healing powers. As word of Eureka's miraculous, healing waters began to spread, thousands of visitors came to Eureka Springs.
By late 1879, the estimated population of Eureka Springs had reached 10,000 people and in 1881, the town was declared a "City of the First Class," the fourth largest city in Arkansas.
There are many shops in Eureka Springs like this Country Barn selling arts and handicrafts typical of this region.
One of the most popular tourist sites in Eureka Springs is the Castle Rogue’s Manor. It is an impressive collection of eight structures with spectacular views of a beautiful river bend.
Our tour group had dinner in the Great Hall catered by our Eureka Springs Tour Guide whose friend was the chef and ably assisted by his wife as our server. As we were starting to dine, I noticed that sun was about to set.
I went out and captured a couple of photos of the sunset on the river bend. The colors and the reflections on the river made the sunset even more spectacular.
Christ of the Ozarks
One of the most famous landmarks of Eureka Springs is the statue of the Christ of the Ozarks. This white mortar figure of Jesus Christ is seven stories tall and weighs almost two million pounds (about 540 tons).
The Thorncrown Chapel: Nestled in the trees this glass and wood structure is a perfect respite from tourist attractions. By simply sitting in the chapel, one can admire with peace and serenity the beautiful outdoors through the soaring glass walls and ceiling.
This chapel has won numerous architectural awards. Recently, members of the American Institute of Architects placed Thorncrown Chapel fourth on its list of the top buildings of the twentieth century!
The Great Passion Play recreates the last week of Jesus life, from his entry into Jerusalem to his rising from the dead. It's modeled after the Oberammergau Passion Play in Bavaria.
The set of the Great Passion Play is huge and creates a feeling of a small town with different buildings and areas where different aspects of the play take place. Performed by a cast of "over 250 dedicated Christians" as well as live donkeys, camels, mules, horses, and sheep, the Great Passion Play is still the largest outdoor pageant in the United States.
So when you go to Branson, Missouri, we recommend that you proceed to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It is only just about an hour’s drive away but it will bring you back to an America over 100 years ago. Each building, every home is so well preserved in time and the majestic Rogue’s Manor can give even the jaded tourist a flavor of how life was in the good old days.
But there are also newer attractions like the Thorncrown Chapel, the Christ of the Ozarks. a replica of the Holy Land and the Great Passion Play. All these will give you memories you will not soon forget.