Oil History and Historic Architecture
At the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, oil history comes into focus through concrete technical details. Visitors can see working equipment from the oil industry, including a replica of a 112-foot-tall derrick and a central power station that could serve up to 15 drilling sites. Exhibits cover the beginnings of oil production and explain how oil is drilled. Visitors can also explore a recreated boomtown with an old jail and café.
Oil Heritage Park presents El Dorado’s history as an oil boomtown through sculptures, artifacts, and interpretive panels.
The El Dorado Commercial Historic District includes 68 brick and masonry buildings from the early 20th century, as well as a monument. At the center of the district stands the Union County Courthouse, built in 1927–1928 in the Classical Revival style. Extensive renovations brought the appearance of much of the streetscape nearly back to its 1930 condition. The early 20th-century buildings and a streetscape that recalls 1930 thus stand side by side as distinct layers of time.
Another architectural landmark is the Newton House Museum, a historic Greek Revival-style home dating from 1849. The Murphy-Hill Historic District includes one of the oldest residential areas in the city of El Dorado. This brings the residential neighborhoods into view as part of the city’s history, alongside its commercial buildings.
River, Forest, and the Outdoors
Union County is characterized by forested areas; the Ouachita River forms its boundary to the north and east. Historically, regulating the water level on the Ouachita River supported boating, hunting, and fishing. Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge includes the world’s largest greentree reservoir. Its waterways in Ashley and Union Counties total 8.3 river miles across three routes. Since water conditions can vary, check current conditions before your visit.
The South Arkansas Arboretum covers 12 acres of wooded land. It features plants native to Arkansas’s West Gulf Coastal Plain, as well as exotic camellias and azaleas. Paved, signposted walking trails are also part of the grounds. The plant selection brings together regional species and exotic plants, while the trails offer a way to explore the grounds on foot.
MAD Playscape offers a different focus: its play equipment spans two acres and was selected for different age groups and their evolving ways of playing.
Mayhaw and Performances
The annual Mayhaw Festival takes place on the first Saturday in May and celebrates the native mayhaw berry found in the South’s swamps and lowlands. The program includes mayhaw jelly, live music, five- and ten-kilometer runs, and a wing cook-off. The South Arkansas Arts Center presents numerous performances each year. If you’d like to include a performance in your travel plans, it’s best to check the current schedule.
Discover more destinations: El Dorado, Van Buren County, Chicot County, Jefferson County, Pulaski, Garland, Franklin County, Carroll County.
For the broader travel overview: Arkansas.
