Date: May 1, 2024 | Story: Stephanie Maxwell Newton | Photography: Bailey Dougan |
Explore the history, culture, and creativity of South Arkansas with a trip to two of its most vibrant towns
After spending time in the entertainment industry in California, Darrin Riley—now a curator with the South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society—had just returned to his childhood home of El Dorado when he was tapped for his talents as a film and history buff. The organization, called SAHPS for short, had recently acquired a collection of memorabilia from El Dorado native and film historian Michael G. Fitzgerald. That project evolved into Darrin’s current role overseeing the museum’s premier draw, the historic Newton House, as well as monthly temporary exhibits. “We want people’s stories, and it’s not always about the oil barons and the huge mercantile owners,” he says. “And that’s really kind of where we run within our galleries—searching out those stories from all the families that created the community.”
We spoke with Darrin about his work with SAHPS, the history of entertainment in South Arkansas, and the namesake fruit at the heart of the annual Mayhaw Festival, which takes place this year on May 4.
Q: The Mayhaw Festival has been one of South Arkansas’s most popular events for decades. Can you tell us about the name and the festival’s origins?
A: The mayhaw is a berry that comes off of the mayhaw shrub. Over time, it became a staple for jellies, syrups, and pies with the pioneers. But the shrubs only grow in a certain part of the U.S.—all within this Southern, swampy kind of region. It used to be that in the days of “mayhawing,” you’d go out, have a picnic, take your jonny boat out through the creeks, shake the trees so all the fruit falls in the waters, and that’s how they were harvested. Nowadays, we locally source as much as we can and then we create the jelly here at SAHPS off of a recipe by Rachel McKinney, one of the ladies who started this society. We will have almost 2,000 jars available for purchase during the festival.
Q: What have you learned about the region through your work with SAHPS that you think people might be surprised by?
A: If you research the area, you find out El Dorado was the hub of entertainment even back when motion pictures were being shown in tents with a guy cranking a projector. We had 16 motion picture houses, three drive-ins, two opera houses—entertainment was the focus. This is where everyone from South Arkansas came. In 1939, Gone With the Wind premiered in two places: Atlanta and El Dorado. People from East Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi—if they wanted to see Gone With the Wind, they came to El Dorado and paid $1 a ticket to see
it here.
Q: When the Murphy Arts District opened, did it feel like the area was starting to reclaim that part of its history?
A: I think that was a big part of it, especially for those of us who were really wanting to see that happen. El Dorado has such a draw anyway with the amount of actors, singers, songwriters, and novelists that come from here. If you’re into country music, Lefty Frizzell is an absolutely humongous name in country. Hank [Williams] wouldn’t have been Hank without Lefty. From Charles Portis, who wrote True Grit, to Cynthia Scott, who was a Raelette with Ray Charles, the area’s resplendent with plenty of fascinating individuals who go beyond the people that we already know. As I worked with the Fitzgerald Collection, it made more and more sense why these visitors, these correspondents, came here. So, to me, yeah, that heritage is important. It stays here.
Q: Now that we’ve talked history, what are you excited about for the future of the area?
A: Outside of what really is going on with the revitalization downtown, it’s the push towards more focus on the arts. Culture is so important to community. I think we’re seeing more diversity and bridging between communities, and I think a lot of that is through the power of the arts. Music and the arts transform the mind and thoughts, and it gets us to understand that we are really one.
Read on for a few more of our favorite ways to discover El Dorado & Magnolia.
Downtown El Dorado
Mod Maverick Studio in Magnolia
SHOP
Murphy’s Jewelers (murphysjewelers.com) in Magnolia is where brides-to-be and everyday shoppers go for wedding jewelry and the latest looks, including the popular line Vahan. Bridget’s on the Square (bridgetsonthesquare.com) is a florist and gift shop offering fresh arrangements, potted plants, and gift baskets in Magnolia and surrounding areas. Visit Beautiful You Magnolia (beyoumagnolia.com) for a range of medical aesthetic therapies, including skincare, weight loss, and fillers all done by qualified professionals. Cole’s Jewelers (shopatcoles.com) is El Dorado’s source for fine and trending jewelry, including beloved brands such as Kendra Scott and Michael Kors as well as repairs and custom services. For women’s apparel and accessories, head to Southern Threads Boutique (southernthreadsboutique.com) in El Dorado for the best selection of current, casual attire.
DINE
In Magnolia, Lefty’s On the Square (leftysonthesquare.com) is a speakeasy-inspired restaurant and lounge with a “modern American” menu and specialty cocktails open Fridays and Saturdays only. For a casual atmosphere and live music, head up North Jackson Street to Mulekick (mulekickmag.com) and order a craft beer alongside a pizza or wings. When in South Arkansas, there’s nothing quite like starting the day with a namesake pastry from Spudnuts (spudnutshop.com), which has locations in both El Dorado and Magnolia. For dining with a side of fun, check out DP’s Food Truck Park (dpsfoodtruckpark.com), an El Dorado gathering place with food trucks and outdoor games that’s dog- and family-friendly.
VISIT
May 4 is the 32nd annual Mayhaw Festival (soarkhistory.com) sponsored by Murphy USA and First Financial Bank. Visit The Newton House and surrounding blocks for a 5K run, mac ’n’ cheese cook-off, mayhaw jelly sales, and shopping with more than 100 vendors. Main Street El Dorado’s May on Main (mainstreeteldorado.com) takes place on the same day, encouraging the public to walk several blocks down to the square for even more fun and festivities while exploring downtown shops and dining. That night, South Arkansas band Jimmy Lewis & 8 Second Ride plays a free show at MAD House 101 Restaurant & Bar, the restaurant and live music venue that’s part of Murphy Arts District (eldomad.com), which offers a full lineup of programming for adults and children throughout the year.
For another weekend of family fun, make plans to attend the Magnolia Blossom Festival (blossomfestival.org) on May 17 and 18 in downtown Magnolia. You’ll enjoy the World Championship Steak Cook-off, Blossom Market, and Magnolia Arts Art Show, which has been around since the festival’s beginnings. To see more local art, visit the Magnolia Arts Center (magnoliaarts.net) to explore the paintings, drawings, photography, sculptures, and more by local and regional talent. South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra (southarkansassymphony.com) closes out its current season with Symphony on the Square, a Memorial Day celebration on May 25 at the El Dorado Square. This concert is free and open to the public. Stop by the El Dorado Conference Center (eldoradoconferencecenter.com) to take in the visual arts on display as part of the South Arkansas Gallery Collective, a collaboration between several local nonprofit and educational organizations that curates rotating exhibits inspired by the city’s history and people. Those interested in a tee time should check out Mystic Creek Golf Club (golfmysticcreek.com), a semi-private club with a par-72 course and fully stocked pro shop.
STAY
In El Dorado, The Haywood (facebook.com/thehaywoodeldorado), part of the Hilton brand, offers contemporary style and convenience in the heart of the Murphy Arts District. Grab a drink at the hotel’s Well Bar before heading out to explore the city’s nightlife. In downtown Magnolia, The Loft on the Square (theloftsq.com) is a boutique hotel located in the revitalized Columbia County Bank. This family-owned operation provides accommodations just steps from shopping and dining favorites.
Mulekick, located in Magnolia
Lefty’s On the Square, located in Magnolia.
Storefronts along the El Dorado downtown square.
First Financial Music Hall in El Dorado.
Denim displayed at Southern Threads Boutique.
