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.

Petit Jean State Park - Arkansas

One of the most spectacular natural and historical preserves in the South, Petit Jean State Park is located just off I-40 and convenient to the Little Rock metro area.

The oldest unit in the Arkansas State Park system, the park preserves a beautiful natural and historical setting on Petit Jean Mountain.

The mountain takes its name from the old Arkansas legend of "Petit Jean," a young French girl that disguised herself as a cabin boy to follow her lover on his journey of exploration to America. Her identity was eventually discovered and she accompanied him as he and his men made their way up the Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers.

While camped at the base of Petit Jean Mountain, however, she supposedly became seriously ill and died. Local Native Americans carried her body to a beautiful spot on the summit of the mountain and buried her beneath a small mound of dirt and rock. The grave can still be seen today and it is alleged that the young woman's ghost haunts the top of the mountain that was named in her honor.

In addition to Petit Jean's grave, the mountain features spectacular views, unusual rock formations, a pre-Civil War pioneer cabin, waterfalls and more. Cedar Falls, seen here, is one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains (notice the people standing behind it in the photograph). The park also is the site of Rock House Cave, a unique rock shelter where ancient Native American cave paintings can still be seen.

If you would like to learn more about Petit Jean State Park, please visit our newly updated pages at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/petitjean1.

Cheaha State Park and Mt. Cheaha, Alabama

The photograph at right was taken from the highest point in Alabama, the top of Mt. Cheaha.

Now the site of Cheaha State Park, the mountain offers visitors a fascinating combination of scenic views, historic sites and natural wonders.

Most experts believe that Hernando de Soto's expedition marched within sight of the mountain, passing through the rich valleys below on its way down from the mountains to the bloody Battle of Mabila near the Gulf Coast. The 16th century soldiers raided Native American villages in the area for slaves and food.

In later times, the Mt. Cheaha area was part of the Creek Nation. The name, in fact, is thought to orginate from the Muskogee word "Chaha" which translates, roughly, to "high place." An important battle was fought at nearby Talladega during the Creek War of 1813-1814 and Andrew Jackson reported that Creek warriors fled into the mountains following the engagement.

Cheaha State Park itself was created in 1933 as a works project during the Great Depression. Numerous structures and trails built by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers can still be found in the park, along with a modern hotel, chalets, restaurant and more.

If you would like to learn more about this beautiful and historic state park, one of the true jewels of the Alabama State Park system, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/cheaha1.

Southern Ghosts Part Eleven - Petit Jean's Ghost, Arkansas

One of the most cherished and beloved legends in the South is the story of Petit Jean in Arkansas.

As the story goes Petit Jean was a young French girl. Because she was small in size or petite, she was called Petit Jean by those who knew her.

Her lover came to America on a voyage of exploration during the 1700s, when Arkansas was a French possession and, rather than be left behind, she disguised herself as a cabin boy so she could follow him across the Atlantic.

Her identity was discovered and she accompanied her love on an expedition up the Arkansas River, then an important route in the French fur trade. As the explorers were camped beneath what is now Petit Jean Mountain and visiting with the inhabitants of a local Native American village, Petit Jean mysteriously sickened and died. The saddened villagers carried her to the top of the mountain and buried her in a natural rock garden facing the rising sun.

Her traditional grave can still be seen today, high atop the mountain. Now surrounded by an iron fence, the low mound of earth is in the center of large rock formations near the overlook on the east side of the mountain.

Long-standing tradition in the area holds that the young girl's restless ghost still roams the area around her grave. People have reported seeing the strange figure of a sad young woman on the mountaintop and others claim to have seen mysterious lights in the area of the grave.

To learn more about the story of Petit Jean's ghost and to see photos of Petit Jean Mountain, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/petitjean1.

News about Devil's Backbone Battlefield in Arkansas

I've received news from a friend at the Civil War Round Table of Arkansas that the Civil War Preservation Trust has voted to purchase 10 acres of the Devil's Backbone Battlefield in Sebastian County, Arkansas.

This move will preserve part of the site of the important Battle of Devil's Backbone (sometimes called the Battle of Backbone Mountain) fought near the towns of Greenwood and Fort Smith on September 1, 1863.

If you would like to read more about this battlefield or see additional photographs, please go to www.exploresouthernhistory.com and click the Battlefields and Forts link in the column at left, then just look under the Arkansas heading and you will find the link.

Petit Jean State Park - Arkansas

The view it right is from the point of Petit Jean Mountain at Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas. This is the oldest state park in Arkansas and also one of the most beautiful.

In addition to the spectacular views from the mountain, Petit Jean also is noted for Cedar Falls, a magnificent year-round waterfall. Visitors also find unsual rock formations, beautiful scenery, outstanding hiking trails, a rock shelter noted for its centuries old Native American paintings as wall as campgrounds, picnic areas, cabins and a lodge.

The area is rich in history and is noted as the focal point for the "Legend of Petit Jean," one of the state's best known and favorite ghost stories and legends. To learn more about Petit Jean State Park and Petit Jean Mountain, please visit our Petit Jean pages at: http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/petitjean1.