Ozark: History and River Landscapes

Ozark combines a historic downtown with surroundings shaped by rivers and Ozark Lake. This gives you a clear focus for planning your trip: you can explore historic buildings and the city’s history, or take your cue from the activities described on the water and along the trails.

Historic Buildings and City History

The Ozark Courthouse Square Historic District encompasses the historic center dating from the late 19th century and extends approximately two blocks in each direction. In 2002, the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Its notable buildings include the Franklin County Courthouse and the Historic Bristow Hotel. The latter was built in 1909 and is a two-story commercial building in a regionally typical style, constructed from locally quarried limestone.

The Ozark First United Methodist Church also dates from 1909. Its battlement-crowned towers, locally quarried sandstone, and stained-glass windows create architectural accents distinct from those of the Bristow building. The Old Franklin County Jail, built in 1914, preserves features of the original cell blocks on its second floor. Thus, the historic center brings together a commercial building, a church, and a former jail, each with its own architectural history.

The Ozark Area Depot Museum is located on the banks of the Arkansas River. Main Street Ozark converted the historic railroad depot into a museum; the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum presents the city’s history and has a collection of railroad artifacts. The Ozark Bridge also crosses the Arkansas River. It was built between 1929 and 1931 and is listed as a historic bridge in the United States.

Another story from the area is told by the Historic Whitman Building in Eastside Park. It began as a tourist cabin and was rented to local tourists until June 25, 1934. Built from locally sourced sandstone and fieldstone, the building is considered Ozark’s only historic tourist cabin. Its former use distinguishes it from both the converted depot and the commercial buildings in the Courthouse Square Historic District.

Ozark Lake, the Arkansas River, and Outdoor Activities

Ozark Lake is near Ozark and stretches 36 miles along the Arkansas River. Nine parks on its shores offer, among other amenities, boat ramps, drinking water, campgrounds, and picnic areas. Aux Arc Recreation Area & Campground is located on Ozark Lake and the Arkansas River and is designated a Class-A park. The grounds include a total of 88 campsites and a boat slip; boating, hiking, and picnicking are also available.

Aux Arc Park is 1.3 miles south of Ozark and is a historic site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. This brings two distinct interests together at the same named location: the history of the trail and activities on the water. Nearby, the Mulberry River in Ozark National Forest is designated as a National Wild and Scenic River in the Scenic and Recreational categories. Its whitewater sections are rated Class II and III; the river is used by the public for boating.

Trails, Rivers, and Regional Destinations

A local access point to the Ozark Highlands National Recreation Trail is on Scenic Highway 23 North, known as the Pig Trail. The entire long-distance trail stretches 165 miles from Lake Fort Smith State Park to the Buffalo National River. The access point and the total length address different planning questions: where the trail can be accessed locally and how far the route extends between its endpoints.

As a regional destination, Byrd's Adventure Center on the Mulberry River in Ozark National Forest offers an 800-acre campground and a trail network. Trails and practice areas are intended for ATVs, UTVs, 4x4 vehicles, and motorcycles. Canoes, kayaks, rafts, and tubes are available for rent on the river. The Mulberry River and the trail network give the region a different focus from the Ozark Highlands National Recreation Trail, which is designated as a long-distance trail.

Annual Event

The Ozarks Annual Old Fashioned Square Gathering features arts and crafts booths, music, games, food, and free entertainment. If you would like to include the event in your travel plans, check the date in advance. When choosing a hotel stay in Ozark, your interests may be the deciding factor: the destination offers historic buildings and city history as well as river landscapes, trails, and outdoor recreation.

For the broader travel overview: Franklin County.