All Aboard!
- John-Michael Scurio
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
In the early 1900s, Eureka Springs became a star on the Frisco map - literally. A star-shaped advertisement from a 1910 brochure promised travelers train service to and from Eureka Springs from every point on the compass. This wasn’t just marketing fluff, it was a genuine invitation to discover a town already known for its mystical healing springs and breathtaking mountain scenery.
But Eureka wasn’t just a destination. It was a launching pad for industry, agriculture, and culture, all of which can be explored today at the Eureka Springs Historical Museum.
May 8, 2025
The Eureka Springs Historical Museum is excited to be collaborating with the Eureka Springs Carnegie Public Library in welcoming Mike Sypult, President of the Arkansas Boston Mountains Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.
Mr. Sypult will be presenting his fascinating hour-long program "The Story of Eureka Springs and the Railroads" in the Library Boulevard Bookend at 209 Spring Street (formerly the First Presbyterian Church).
From a geographical standpoint, the Ozarks are located in (almost) the center of the United States. This is, of course, wonderfully advantageous from a marketing perspective. Ozark fruit and berry growers have never been dependent on any one market as they are within easy transportation distance of other principal consuming markets in the USA and products can be transported at a relatively low cost from the center of the USA moving outward to the coastlines.
Housed in the historic California Building at 95 S. Main Street, the Eureka Springs Historical Museum is home to artifacts that speak volumes -- about railroads, water shipments, fruit farming, and the lives of those who made Eureka their home. You’ll find nods to John S. Tibbs, M.A. Church, and the Ozarka Water Company, pioneers in the shipping of local spring water via, you guessed it, the Frisco Lines.
Yes, Eureka Springs water once traveled the country in glass-lined rail cars, proudly served aboard Frisco trains and bottled for distribution from coast to coast. Can you imagine sipping Ozarka water on a passenger train in 1925? That’s not just hydration; that’s history in a bottle.
In the museum, you’ll learn about how the Frisco connected the fertile lands of the Ozarks to national markets, shipping out a delicious legacy of Arkansas Black apples, peaches, strawberries, grapes, and canned vegetables. The soil-rich valleys and high plateaus of the region weren’t just scenic—they were strategic, producing an abundance of crops that could be transported efficiently thanks to the central location of the Ozarks and the extensive reach of the Frisco Lines.
Did you know that in 1926, the Ozarks shipped over 1500 train cars of strawberries, generating more than $2.3 million? Those ruby-red berries rode the rails across the U.S., all beginning in the sweet soil of Northwest Arkansas.
One of the most endearing aspects of the Frisco, and one that’s beautifully honored at the museum, is its culture. This was a company that treated its employees like family, fostering a sense of belonging and pride that endured through decades and wars. It wasn’t just about moving freight; it was about moving lives.
From assisting farmers with marketing and cultivation strategies to designing rail routes that made sense for communities, the Frisco was pragmatic and forward-thinking.
Though the Frisco eventually merged into the Burlington Northern in 1980, its spirit lives on—not just in the active tracks still crisscrossing the region, but in the stories preserved inside the Eureka Springs Historical Museum.
You’ll find photos, brochures, timetables, vintage advertisements, and personal stories, all carefully curated to connect past and present, people and place. It’s a must-visit stop for anyone curious about how our small town in the Ozarks became a major hub of innovation, agriculture, tourism, and transportation.
May 10, 2025
Opening on May 10 is the Eureka Springs Dinner Train.
Step back in time to an earlier age of locomotive transportation and enjoy the Excursion Train or Dining Car. Dine in luxury as you ride the rails … Enjoy the elegant flavor of the 1920’s aboard the Eurekan Dining Car. You dine on specially prepared cuisine as the clickety-clack takes you back. At the end of the excursion, shop in the Baggage Room Gift Shop for railroad related gifts.
Whether you're a history buff, a train enthusiast, a lover of delicious cuisine, or just someone who appreciates the magic of Eureka Springs, the Historical Museum and the ESNA Railway are perfect stops on your visit to Eureka Springs. It's like you're going back in a time capsule of Ozark ingenuity, resilience, and charm.❤️
Eureka Springs Historical Museum
95 S. Main Street, Eureka Springs, AR 72632
Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway
299 North Main Street (Highway 23 North), Eureka Springs, AR 72632
Intersection of North Main and Hillside
All of the historic research for this non-revenue generating community blog is compiled by using various methods and resources widely available. I often find information from public libraries, magazines, books, historical publications, websites, other blogs, and much more. This post was crafted with the help of http://frisco.org/mainline/about-the-frisco-railroad/