Visitors to Jasper might want to know more about its history. There are several markers on buildings in the historic business district, but for a better understanding about what was, or still is, take a walking tour of the town with this helpful guide that was published almost a decade ago by Rachel Silva of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.
Part 8
The mill stones from the gristmill at Marble Falls are in front of the restaurant in the flower beds.
Arkansas House Garden—See cottage built by Gould Jones ca. 1945. Notice that his technique had changed from his earlier designs. In later projects, Jones artistically arranged rocks in cement molds to create blocks, which were easier to stack and build with than traditional uncut stone masonry. He no longer had to adjust to the irregularities of each stone, and he could easily make patterns.
A captive black bear named Coco was kept in a building between the Arkansas House Inn and the Boardwalk Café. The bear is now at Turpentine Creek in Eureka Springs.
Arkansas House—
Gould Jones built the Arkansas House Hotel in 1933 using a mixture of buff brick, glazed brick, and flagstone. His masterpiece, the shape of Arkansas in stone, is centered on the front façade. The Arkansas House still rents rooms. They have 3 regular rooms, 2 suites, and 2 cabins. Plus the restaurant.
More next week.