Calhoun County
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Springs of ArkansasPreserving the legacy of nature's marvelous works and wonders
Hilton's Medical Springs
Baxter County was abuzz with testimonials of a newly discovered healing spring in the spring of 1880. Mr. Henry Hilton and his wife had just moved to small farm in the Whiteville township when they noticed a near immediate improvement in their general health which they attributed to the spring from which they got their water. Ms. Hilton’s chronic sore eyes were “entirely healed” as were the eyes of many other people who subsequently used the springs on their advice.
Whether used for drinking or bathing the spring had a proclivity for resolving sore eyes. Many people also reported being rejuvenated and “feeling better than they had in years”. The spring water was also found to heal skin sores and abscesses and was prescribed for “dyspepsia and affections of the liver”.
Early promoters were quite eager and optimistic that a grand summer resort was in the making. Plans were drawn out, a few lots sold and considerations were given to building a hotel as the Hiltons were regularly taking in boarders to supplement their income. But, while the Hiltons would live long into their 80s enjoying water from the spring, the plans for a summer resort never got beyond conception.
Double (Hopeville, Thomas Mineral, Holderness) Springs
Springs of ArkansasPreserving the legacy of nature's marvelous works and wonders
These springs lying one mile east of Hopeville were included in the famed geologist Alpert C. Peale’s “Analysis and List of Mineral Springs in the United States” of 1886. Having both Sulphur and Chalybeate springs lying within a few feet of one another offered several therapeutic options and Peale reports that these springs were used commercially prior to the Civil War – perhaps to supply potable and health-giving water to nearby Hopeville Academy, a coeducational school established in 1859 by John C. Barrow. Trustees at the Hopeville Academy included Drs. W. S. Thomas and and R C. Holderness whose names were also assigned to at least one of the known five mineral springs in the vicinity of Populi Creek and Beaver Bend Branch. The Hopeville Academy located at Thomas’ store closed with the onset of the Civil War and Drs. Thomas and Holderness sought refuge in Texas. As for the springs little is known of their improvements, prescriptive use and history.