Eureka Springs - The per capita Wedding Capital of America

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

It often comes as a surprise visitors that the quaint Victorian town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, hosts more weddings per capita than any city in the United States.

In fact, some years more people get married in Eureka Springs than actually live there! So I thought in honor of Valentine's Day it would be enjoyable to take a look at this charming community in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas.

Eureka Springs has always been a special place. The first visitors came back in the late 19th century when dozens of mineral springs were found flowing from the sides of the mountains there. The town was founded in 1877 and in less than one year more than 3,000 people came to live in Eureka.

Historic Downtown of Eureka Springs

They came because of the popularity of mineral springs in those days. People believed the pure water provided cures for a variety of illnesses and the arrival of the railroad brought crowds in to enjoy the spas, hotels and other amenities of the resort community in the Ozarks.

The belief in the power of water from mineral springs diminished in the 20th century, but unlike many such places, Eureka Springs preserved its beautiful atmosphere and architecture. It stands today as one of the most beautifully preserved Victorian towns in the world. The romance of days gone by is unmistakable and the town offers beautiful historic accommodations, restaurants, shops and entertainment. Carriages roll through the streets and couples walk hand in hand along the sidewalks.

Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs

And there are weddings. More weddings than can be imagined. There is no blood test and no waiting to get married in Eureka Springs. A couple can arrive, get their license, get married and be on their honeymoon in a beautiful historic hotel, bed and breakfast or more modern accommodation in less than 90 minutes.

An array of wedding locations are available, ranging from the simple to the elegant, or one of the town's many ministers will come to you and perform a wedding at the location of your choice. An overlook on East Mountain, for example, provides a spectacular view of the valley and Victorian town and is popular for couples looking to marry surrounded by the beauty of the mountains.

To learn more about Eureka Springs, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/eurekaindex.

For complete information on getting married in Eureka Springs, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/eurekaweddings.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas - Romance in the Ozarks

With St. Valentine's Day just two weeks away, I thought it might be interesting to spend some time exploring some of the most romantic historic places in the South.

My personal favorite is Eureka Springs, the beautifully preserved Victorian community in the Ozarks of Arkansas. On a per capita basis, Eureka Springs is the wedding capital of the United States. More people get married there each year per capita than in any other city in the country (including Las Vegas!).

There is a reason. With its charming scenery, inns, restaurants and beautiful Victorian architecture, Eureka Springs is one of the most beautiful places not just in the South, but in the world. Even the town's funnel cake stand is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Established as a health resort during the late 1800s, Eureka Springs developed as a place where people came to "take the waters" of the city's numerous mineral springs. It was thought in those days that the spring water held curative properties for a variety of ailments and people from across the nation came in by train in hopes of finding better health and happiness in the spas of Eureka Springs.

Its early days have much to do with Eureka's emergence as an eclectic community with a major focus on the arts, culture, history and charm. In fact, romance makes for booming business in Eureka Springs. There are wedding chapels, wedding locations, photographers galore, carriages, inns, cottages, cabins and hotels. You can even pick up your marriage license in the morning and get married in the afternoon.

To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/eurekaindex. Be sure to follow the links at the bottom of the page for information on a variety of historic sites around Eureka as well as for details on wedding services available in the city.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas: Updated Pages Now Online

Eureka Springs, a beautiful Victorian town in the Ozarks of Arkansas, is one of the most popular Spring destinations in the South.

To mark the beginning of Spring, we've updated our Eureka Springs pages and added quite a bit of new information.

Founded and named in 1879 as a resort area for visitors who made their way to the beautiful mountain setting to enjoy the mineral springs that flowed from the Ozarks into a charming valley, Eureka Springs retains much of its original appearance and flavor. The community has earned a reputation as the per capita Wedding Capital of the United States. More people come to Eureka each year to get married than actually live there!

Historic hotels, bed and breakfast inns, cabins, restaurants, wedding chapels, entertainment venues and a wide variety of other attractions are available in Eureka Springs, which may well be the crown jewel of the Ozarks.

Our updated pages include details on the historic Crescent Hotel (America's Most Haunted Hotel), Blue Spring Heritage Center, the Christ of the Ozarks, the Downtown Historic District, ES&NA Railway, the town's historic springs, Pivot Rock Park, Thorncrown Chapel and a new page providing information on getting married in Eureka Springs. To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/eurekaindex.

New Eureka Springs, Arkansas Section is now online!

Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is - quite simply - one of the most charming little cities in America. Its historic significance, eclectic atmosphere and beautiful Victorian architecture bring hundreds of thousands of visitors it year, making it one of the most popular historic destinations in the South.

In addition, Eureka is the romance capital of America and the home of the nation's "most haunted" hotel. More couples get married here (per capita) than in any other city in America. The total number of weddings here each year, in fact, usually exceeds the total population of the city! In addition, the city's historic Crescent Hotel makes for an elegant but spooky treat.

To learn more about Eureka Springs, the stunning Victorian city of the Ozarks, please go to www.exploresouthernhistory.com and you will see the new heading on the home page.