Local business owners weigh in on what makes South Arkansas such a wonderful place to live, work, and play
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Discover El Dorado & Magnolia
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.”
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Discover El Dorado
Decades of revitalization have transformed this South Arkansas town into the vibrant place it is today
If you build it, they will come: That’s the lesson learned from Richard Mason’s work in downtown El Dorado over the past 50 years. He and his wife, Vertis, both natives of South Arkansas, inadvertently became some of the city’s biggest advocates in the 1980s when they began buying and remodeling old buildings. An exploration geologist by profession, Richard decided to locate the office for his company in the area’s once-bustling square. “When we moved back, it was dead as a doornail. I bet there wasn’t 15 percent occupancy in the stores around the courthouse,” he recalls. “We bought a few more buildings and remodeled them, and then when they leased up really quickly, we bought some more. We ended up with about 15 buildings. We had no intention of doing it. It was just kind of one of those things you get carried away with,” he says with a laugh.
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Discover El Dorado
This South Arkansas city is home to a bustling downtown and a year-round calendar of events | A Special At Home in Arkansas Promotion
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Discover El Dorado & Magnolia
Head to South Arkansas for live music, outdoor festivals, and family fun | A Special At Home in Arkansas Promotion
There’s always something happening in El Dorado. That was true a century ago, when the town’s first oil well caused a boom in the economy and population, and it’s true now, as the South Arkansas city continues to draw interest and visitors from all over the state and beyond. For example, when Murphy Arts District (eldomad.com) opened three and a half years ago, 21,000 people descended on the city for four days of music and entertainment; that’s not bad for a city of approximately 18,000. The arts district has been go-go-go ever since, pausing in-person events during the pandemic while pivoting to provide audiences with live-streamed concerts, children’s programs, and other online entertainment. This spring, the organization has started welcoming guests back to First Financial Music Hall for in-person concerts, including the Allman Betts Band on May 1 and Trey Johnson on May 8.
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Discover El Dorado & Magnolia
Opportunities to eat, drink, shop, and experience local culture abound in these two neighboring South Arkansas towns | A Special At Home in Arkansas Promotion
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Family Recipe
In El Dorado, designer Courtney Stone transforms her home’s dated galley kitchen into a spacious, chic hub
When Courtney Smart Stone, the owner of Smart Designs, first laid eyes on the house she shares with her husband, Phillip, and their two small children, Cline, 5, and Taylor Grace, 4, she fell in love with the layout. “This house has great bones. I could see my family playing in the big great room, and I really liked how all of the bedrooms were close to one another,” she says.
However, the home’s cramped galley-style kitchen was one space that didn’t function at full capacity for the family. “My husband loves to cook, and when the two of us were in there together, we were constantly running into each other,” Courtney says. Initially, she began to remedy the situation by removing a wall between the kitchen and living room, opening up the space. But soon after, the cooktop and oven went on the fritz, leading the couple to make the jump to a full remodel.
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Southern Comforts
Discover South Arkansas: Immerse yourself in history while taking in the sights and sounds of south Arkansas
There’s a reason you’ve been hearing about south Arkansas now more than ever—it may have something to do with El Dorado’s Murphy Arts District, which turns 1 this month and has brought a recent arts-and-culture renaissance to the region. However, El Dorado and the surrounding towns have always been home to rich history, culture, and tradition. If you haven’t paid Columbia, Dallas, Ouachita, and Union counties a visit, now is the time to consider doing so.
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Discover: El Dorado and Magnolia
If you’re craving a small-town vibe with big-time events, head south. El Dorado and Magnolia offer exceptional dining and entertainment, unique shopping, and a strong sense of community. At the rate these small towns are growing, you’ll need to plan more than one visit to keep up.
Located around El Dorado’s town square, guitars painted by local artists depict genres, festivals, and musicians—including this one that pays homage to blues legend Muddy Waters.
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Discover: Lower Arkansas
Any trip to the lower part of Arkansas isn’t complete without a visit to the Delta. Rich in Southern heritage, the Arkansas Delta is home to beautiful farmland and spans the entire eastern side of the state. When traveling to the southeastern corner of the Delta, be sure and visit renowned potter Gail Miller at Miller’s Mud Mill (862 Highway 65 South, Dumas, 870-382-5277, millersmudmill.com). Using pottery as her therapy, Miller creates one-of-a-kind ceramic bowls, plates, and mugs. The vivid colors and unique forms have made her pottery pieces favorites among collectors.
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