Bear Creek Springs, Arkansas facts for kids
Bear Creek Springs is a small community in Boone County, Arkansas, in the United States. It is an "unincorporated community," which means it doesn't have its own city government. Instead, it's governed by the county. A well-known landmark near Bear Creek Springs is the Bear Creek Motel. This motel is so important historically that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can find it right along U.S. Highway 65.
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Getting Around: Major Highways
Bear Creek Springs is easy to reach because several important highways pass through or near it. These roads help people travel to and from the community.
US 62
US 65
US 412
A Look Back: The History of Bear Creek Springs
Early Days: Shawnee Village and Settlers
Long ago, perhaps even before the 1800s, a Native American village existed here. It was a Shawnee village called Shawneetown. This village was located along the banks of Bear Creek. Its exact spot is not known today.
Before it was called Bear Creek Springs, the area had a post office named Francis. We don't know why this name was chosen.
In the years before the American Civil War, a small community grew here. People were drawn to the area because of its clean water. There was also a lot of wild game for hunting. It became a popular stopping place for settlers. These settlers would camp here as they traveled west.
From Town to Community
Bear Creek Springs was once an official town with its own government. However, over time, the nearby city of Harrison grew much larger. Also, better ways to travel became available. Because of this, many people and businesses moved away from Bear Creek Springs.
Today, Bear Creek Springs is an unincorporated community. Only a few businesses remain along what is now US 65.
