Historic downtown Eureka Springs is on the National Registry of Historic Places and we would certainly agree with such a designation. This unique town hugs the cliffs. There are no streets that have a 90 degree angle for intersecting and there are no traffic lights. It was originally called 'Magic City' and later called 'Stairstep Town'. The names may have changed but it is still magical and there are still lots of steps. Native Americans described it as a place with a Great Healing Spring and the reputed healing powers of the springs in the area were to become the basis for early growth as a destination Victorian resort village and spa, particularly for the wealthy.
Most buildings were constructed from local stone quaries.
A different perspective and post processing strategy.
An historic bath house where appointments for a spa can still be made.
A well maintained Victorian style home.
A home down on its luck.
I put the color version of this image in Shared Photos. Diane turned it on its heels and just left the red door. I like it!
Photograph taken about mid-day.
Image taken at sunrise.
Art hanging in a small garden along the main drag.
There were several of these gnomes around town. Some had money in their can!
No bozos! LOL! What is an illegal marriage?
We spotted this and it generated a whole bunch of interest and not just from us. It is a Russian motorcycle recently made in Russia using a 1940's design. The drivers emerged as we were taking photographs. Two women drove it off after telling us all about the bike.
Lobby of the New Orleans Hotel built in 1892. It was very nicely maintained.
The Crescent Hotel is on the National Register of Historic Hotels. It was built in 1886. We had lunch there (pizza) and were welcome to take all the photographs we wanted, tripods welcome.
Looking up.
Looking down.
Hmmmm . . . "Tom, what is this?" Reply, "Time capsule." I notice that it is plugged so maybe it does magic if you flick a switch!
Photograph in one of the hotels of the town at turn of the century. The hotel in the back is the Crescent Hotel.
Overlooking Eureka Springs is the 7 story statue of Christ of the Ozarks. It is one of the most visited attractions in the Ozarks with about 500,000 visitors a year. It was built in 1966 by Emmet Sullivan who had served as an apprentice to one of the sculptors of the Mt. Rushmore Monument. It is made of 340 tons of concrete interlaced with steel and is welded into the rock of Magic Mountain. There are 24 layers of white mortar that is attached to a steel frame. We decided to try photographing in the early morning, hoping the sun would rise and illuminate Christ's face. No such luck. So we returned for the evening light and took more photographs then.
I believe Diane took this from the balcony of the Crescent Hotel.
Early morning.
Early morning.
Morning.
Morning.
Afternoon.
Thorncrown Chapel is just a few miles out of Eureka Springs. It was commissioned by Jim Reed, a retired school teacher. The Chapel was designed by E. Fay Jones, who had apprenticed with Frank Lloyd Wright. Construction was completed in 1980. The design represents the Prairie School architecture which was very popular at the time. It was awarded the American Institute of Architects' Design of the Year in 1981 and also received the prestigious American Institute of Architecture 25 Year Award.
Tom and I scouted Thorncrown before Diane arrived. Our intent was to determine how much time would be required to get some good photographs, check out the policy on photographing the interior, parking, etc. It is a gorgeous design but photographer unfriendly. No tripods are allowed inside and if you want to photograph the interior you must do so while seated!
You might be surprised how far I can stretch into the aisle from a seated position (under the careful eye of the stern volunteer). I wondered if he would help me up if I fell onto the floor. The place is peaceful and serene with the forest all around it.
The Chapel is 48 feet in height, has 425 windows and over 6,000 square feet of glass.
Diane was still up for checking out the place. It was on her short list of 'what I want to return home with'. Unfortunately, the sky was completely different on the day we took her than the day we scouted.
The Chapel is now used for services on Sunday, is a popular location for weddings and often hosts tour groups such as the group above.
We hope you have a sense of our Eureka Springs experience. We saved you the steps!! We have hundreds more photographs. Even so, we would be happy to go back and get the rest of the opportunities!
