History

History Of Elm Springs, Arkansas

One of the oldest "little cities" in Northwest Arkansas. Elm Springs is located in Washington and

Benton county, six miles west of Springdale, Arkansas.

It is a historical town, with early settlers, as Thomas McClain entered land in 1831, John P. Hamilton

in 1840, John Ingram in 1840, William Barrington in 1849, and Jacob Pearson in 1851. It has oneof

the oldest established U.S. post offices in the county, established in 1848. Elm Springs was located on

the old stage line which ran between Neosho, Missouri, and Fort Smith, Arkansas, and relay stops were

made here.

Located among great springs of such power that, not far from their openings, John Ingram, in 1844,

found them strong enough to run a water-mill. This was the earliest mill in this part of the county, and

was the nucleus of the village. William Barrington, entered the firm as his partner and gave the new

settlement the name Elm Springs. The power derived for the mills was from the big spring and the huge

elm trees gave the town its name. His miller was W.F. Deaver. Mr. Barrington also opened a store, and

bought out Mr. Ingram, and some time afterward sold a half interest in the mill to B.J. Deaver - the firm

then bearing the name Deaver & Barrington. After 1852 a blacksmith shop was added, and soon the schools

under Rev. and Mrs. Jesse McAllister were opened.

Wars, tornados, fires and tragedy have left its marks, but as memories linger, HERITAGE continues to grow. In history some things come and go, some come and remain.

Schools & Churches

The first schools were established in 1849 in the form of two academies. The Elm Springs Academy for Males and Females was formed in 1887. Another Academy was built and was conducted by M.F. Croxdale until the year of 1926, when a new school was built. An accredited high school and buses bringing pupils from outlying districts. It consolidated with Springdale, Arkansas schools in the year 1946. Classes were still held at Elm Springs School until the early 1970's.

The Elm Springs Methodist Church was organized about 1832. It has one of the oldest and largest well kept cemetaries of the area.

Businesses

After the Civil War businesses included a hardware, general

merchandise, drugstore, shoe

cobbler, a village blacksmith,

evaporators, canning factories, rock quarry, lime kilm, telephone office, theater, restuarants, a

garage, and a hatchery.

In the year 1912, the railroad was completed and operated by Kansas City and Memphis Lines. The line was discontinued with the advent of World War I.

City of Elm Springs

Arkansas