Spring Street: Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Summary

Spring Street twists, curves, and meanders along a high bluff in northwestern Arkansas. At every turn it offers something worth taking in, whether a breathtaking vista of Ozark Mountain Country or a piece of street art like the half-ton Humpty Dumpty sculpture sitting atop a limestone wall. City of Eureka Springs publicist Ken Rundel says it all adds up to a street that makes "people stop, smile, and laugh."

Designated Area

Approximately one mile winding between North Main Street to the south and Ellis Street to the north.

Basin Park is built around the supposedly curative powers of the naturally occurring spring the town was found on. It is one of many similar pocket parks on Spring Street. Located downtown, Basin Park hosts gatherings and events when not serving as a place of respite. Photo courtesy of Glenna Booth.

Planning Excellence

Spring Street twists, curves, and meanders along a high bluff in northwestern Arkansas. At every turn it offers something worth taking in, whether a breathtaking vista of Ozark Mountain Country or a piece of street art like the half-ton Humpty Dumpty sculpture sitting atop a limestone wall. City of Eureka Springs publicist Ken Rundel says it all adds up to a street that makes "people stop, smile, and laugh."

An unplanned boomtown established in 1879, Eureka Springs was built on the supposedly curative powers of waters flowing from naturally occurring mineral springs. The springs have been preserved since the town's beginning and today provide for five pleasant, street-side pocket parks scattered between historic commercial and residential buildings.

It's Spring Street's integration with the landscape that yields quirky yet pleasant architecture in the commercial district. Tightly packed structures on the west side of the street are built into the mountainside. Structures on the east side are built down the bluff and have street-level entrances on their top floors.

Spring Street extends into a residential district to the north that boasts the largest collection of Victorian architecture in the central U.S. The city's public transportation system consists of old-style trolleys and horse-drawn carriages, further enhancing the historic ambiance and character of the street.

A half-ton Humpty Dumpty sculpture sits atop a limestone wall south of downtown. Such street art is common along Eureka Springs and serves as a reminder of the street's eccentricity. Photo courtesy of Glenna Booth.

Defining Characteristics, Features

Historic Character and Heritage

• Street is significant portion of Eureka Springs Historic District, added to National Register of Historic Places in 1970
• Supposed healing power of the "Great Healing Spring" — located at Basin Park — brought thousands to the town site in late 1800s
• Eureka Springs Historic District Commission (1978) maintains historic character; approves new construction, demolition, or exterior alteration in Historic District
• Public transportation system (1979) uses old-style motorized trolleys; multiple stops along street; privately owned, horse-drawn carriages also available
• Period lampposts line the street in commercial district

Integration of Landscape, Natural Springs

• Although not formally planned, town used planning concepts to set aside natural springs along Spring Street as public areas
• Five natural springs occur along street creating pleasant pocket parks and areas of respite; Basin Park, at the southern end near intersection with Main Street, built around the spring upon which the town was founded; park will soon boast LED lighting, ornamental benches, beautiful landscaping, downtown views, live entertainment
• Crescent Spring, also on Spring Street, covered by a restored Victorian gazebo; surrounded by beautiful landscaping, including brick staircase leading up mountainside to a trail connecting to the historic Crescent Hotel, 75 Prospect St.
• All city streets, including Spring Street, follow natural terrain of the four ancient Ozark mountains upon which town is built — East, West, South, and Magnetic; terrain gives city unique "spaghetti bowl" layout
• No four-way stops or traffic lights along Spring Street; traffic calming attributed to many curves and turns of street; city has 230 streets, none of which intersect perpendicularly

Architecture, Street Art

• Buildings constructed into or down side of bluff because of terrain; most notable are Basin Park Hotel, 12 Spring St., a seven-story hotel bluff with seven ground floor entrances; Penn Memorial Baptist Church, 100 Spring St., built down the bluff, connecting to three different streets, on three different ground levels with three different addresses
• City Historic District Design Guidelines encourage contemporary design for new buildings or additions; scale and building material (wood, limestone, or clay brick) must be harmonious with existing structures; imitating historic architectural styles not encouraged in order to add architectural diversity
• Half-ton Humpy Dumpty figure (2010) built into bluff at Queens Deer place near Basin Park
• Across from Basin Park, street affords views of the ARTery, 1 N. Main St., an outdoor gallery consisting of 27 8'x4' murals lining a 150-foot retaining wall below Spring Street
• South end of street affords views of Centennial Mural (North Main Street and First Street), originally painted in 1979 and restored in 2007; expresses town's history, art
• Large Styracosaurus albertensis dinosaur sculpture in front yard of house at 218 Spring St.; sculpture once resided in Ola Farwell's now-closed Dinosaur Park

Vibrant colors and unique architecture showcase Spring Street's quirky aura. Commercial use of the upper floors is common along Spring Street. Photo courtesy of Glenna Booth.