Historic Sites of the Ozarks
Many towns have buildings dating back to the Civil War and Victorian Times that have been preserved and maintained and now serve as museums. Others, like those in Eureka Springs, have been restored and function as inns and B&Bs. If you enjoy American history, here are some good places to visit while in the Ozarks. More detailed information can be found on the regional search pages.
Springfield Area
History Museum for Springfield-Greene County Artifacts of Missouri history from prehistoric times on. 155 Park Central Square. 417-832-1200. Small admission fee.
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield One of the best preserved Civil War battlefields in the nation. Self-guided auto tour, museum, visitors' center, more. Farm Rd 182, east of Hwy ZZ, SW of Springfield.
Pythian Castle Buit in 1913 and on the National Registry of Historic Place. Open for history tours and ghost tours. 1451 E. Pythian St., Springfield. 417-865-1464
The Railroad Historical Museum A free history museum chronicling the history of the railroad in Springfield. In the 1300 block of North Grant St.
Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site Preserved 1830's homesite of Daniel Boone's youngest son on the original home site. Approx. 40 minutes from Springfield in Ash Grove.
Ozark Afro-American Heritage Museum Open by appointment, and run by Fr. Moses Berry, a black descendent of Nathan Boone. Contains artifacts from slavery time. 107 Main St., Ash Grove. 417 -672-3104.
Air and Military Museum of the Ozarks Military history and memorabilia. Interactive displays. 2305 E. Kearney St. 417-864-7997
History of Hearing Museum A collection of early hearing aids, plus examples of modern technology. Free, open to the public. Call for hours. 628 Commercial St. 417-869-6550
Historic Rt. 66 Springfield is considered the birthplace of "The Mother Road" which cuts east-west through town. Historic buildings, more. Maps available at the Rt. 66 Information Center, 815 E. St. Louis St. 417-881-5300
Historic C-Street Historic Commercial St. in north Springfield,renovated as galleries, shops, restaurants.
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs Historical Museum Photos, artifacts from the past. Maps and guides to historic places around town. 95 S. Main.
Bank of Eureka Springs Museum Century-old original furniture and fixtures in the Cornerstone Bank on Main St.
Carroll County Court House Historic building. Pick up tourist brochures and information in the downstairs lobby. 44 S. Main.
City Auditorium Just past the Courthouse, historic and still a performance venue.
Basin Spring Park Next to the Basin Park Hotel. Sit a spell, hear live music, climb to the cave on the hillside.
The old Post Office, the limestone Carnegie Library , and some of the grandest old houses in town. Stroll up Spring St. and enjoy these old beauties.
The Crescent Hotel and St. Elizabeth Catholic Church At the top of the Historic Loop. Walk, drive or take a trolley.
Eureka Springs and North Arkansas Railway Locomotive exhibits. A 1940-era diesel locomotive still runs. North end of Main St 479-253-9623
Beaver Bridge Last suspension bridge of its type in Arkansas. Bring the camera -- it's very scenic . Hwy 187, about 5 miles north of town.
Berryville Heritage Center The 1880 Courthouse on the Berryville town square, now a museum. Genealogy library on the first floor. 870-423-6312
Saunders Memorial Museum Antiques and unusual items. 113-115 E Madison. (Berryville Square). 870-423-2563
Pea Ridge National Military Park Hiking and driving tours. Visitor Center, museum, theater and bookstore. Open daily, seasonal hours vary. Pea Ridge, AR. 479-451-8122, ext. 227.
Thorncrown Chapel Named number four on the AIA's list of Top Designs of the 20th Century. 12968 Hwy 62 W, six miles west of downtown. Eureka Springs.479-253-7401
Northwest Arkansas
Bentonville
Historical Downtown Buildings dating from 1875-1888.
Massey Hotel Building On the National Register of Historic Places, now houses a public library. Downtown.
The Peel Mansion Museum Built in 1875, with artifacts from the early Victorian era. Gardens with native plants of the time period. 400 S. Walton Blvd. 479-273-9664.
Museum of Native American Artifacts Items as old as 14,000 years on display, some quite rare. 202 SW O St., 479-273-2456.
Bella Vista
The Bella Vista Historical Museum Photographs and artifacts of Bella Vista Resort from 1917 to 1963. 1885 Bella Vista Way. 479-855-2335
Veterans Wall of Honor All vets who served in the U.S. Armed Forces since 1776 have their names incised on granite tablets here. On Lambeth Road
Fayetteville
Headquarters House Historic Civil War house, now a museum. Guides in period costume, living history presentations. 118 E. Dickson St, 479-521-2970.
The Ridge House Famous historic landmark, commemorating the Ridge family and travelers on the infamous Trail of Tears. at 230 W. Center St.
Clinton House Museum Bill and Hillary Clinton's first home, now a museum. “First Ladies Garden” with flowers and plants loved by different first ladies. 930 W. Clinton Dr. 479-444-0066.
Arkansas Air Museum Memorabilia spanning the history of manned flight. Early planes on display. 4290 South School Ave. 479-521-4947
Rogers
Historic downtown Renovated downtown is worth a stroll.
The Rogers Historical Museum Historical artifacts and displays of Northwest Arkansas. Wheel-chair accessible. 322 S. Second St. 479-621-1154.
Daisy Air Gun Museum Vintage products and artifacts of the historic Daisy company, plus antique airguns. 202 W. Walnut St. 479-986-6873
Springdale
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History Exhibits of the Northwest Arkansas Ozarks. Six historic buildings on the grounds, and a research library. 18 W. Johnson Ave. 479-750-8165.
The Springdale Bluff Cemetery Predates the Civil War; historic gravestones. 900 N Shiloh Dr.
The old Shiloh Church-IOOF Hall Built in 1868 as a church; sold to the Oddfellows in 1936. On the National Register of Historic Places. at 121 W. Huntsville Rd.
Siloam Spring
Historic Downtown Victorian architechture, now in use as modern retail and dining.
Siloam Springs Museum Permanent and temporary historical exhibits.
Tontitown
Settled by Italian immigrants in 1898. The Tontitown Historical Museum has exhibits and photos of early days. 251 E. Henri de Tonti Blvd. 479-361-2700
Lincoln
Arkansas Country Doctor Museum Six miles from the Prairie Grove Battlefield. Old medical equipment, a 1924 Model-T, garden with medicinal plants. Free admission. Open Wed-Sat, 1-4 p.m. 109 N. Starr Ave (2 blocks from US Hy 62). 479-824-4307
