Eureka Springs was named on July 4, 1879 and it was a boom town from the start. Within a year there were an estimated 5,000 people living near the springs. L. J. Kalklosch tells about this phenomenal growth in the book he published in 1881.

“Little did Judge Saunders think in May, 1879, when he went with his wife and son to camp in the wilderness, miles from anything in the form of a permanent dwelling place, where the wild animals dwelt unmolested except when disturbed by an occasional pioneer hunter, and among hills seemingly intended for light footed animals, instead of man and domestic animals accompanying him, that ever a city, possibly the first in the state, should spring up in so short a time.

“After his cure was an established fact, the news soon spread, passing from tongue to tongue, and other afflicted mortals, hearing the good news in the wilderness, at once turned their eyes and footsteps in the direction of the star of gladness; and soon other cases of almost miraculous cures were creditably established.

“The news spread like wildfire. Poor afflicted mortals were soon seen drifting in from all directions. Rejoicing, over the cures effected, was constantly rising in the wilderness. Many heard of the wonder, went to see, as did the Queen of Sheba, whether what they heard was true, and they could exclaim with her that the half had not been told. Others with an eye to speculation, soon found their way ‘through the woods’ to the modern Siloam so that by July 4th there were about 400 people assembled in the gulch at the spring to celebrate the National holiday. As yet the great discovery had not been noticed by any of our Journals, but had been conveyed from lip to lip, and the visitors were principally from the surrounding country and villages of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. By the incredulous it was denounced as a ‘humbug’ and the more credulous with having foolish delusions, the effect of the water being attributed to the power of the imagination only. But as the doubting Thomases went one by one to see if what they heard be true, on their return they reported about as follows:

“‘I don’t know; there seems to be something to it. I never had water act so on me. People may get well, but I don’t know whether it is the water or not; they are swarming like bees and it is hard to tell what it will do.’

“The writer resided at Harrison, Arkansas, forty-five miles east and heard all the reports that went abroad, but believed it all to be a kind of excitement that would abate with the coming of winter frost. He had not thought enough of it to ‘go and see’ as did many of his fellow townsmen.

“About the first of July, 1879, Judge Saunders erected the first ‘shanty’ for the better protection of his family. Some people now ventured the opinion that a village would grow up here, but no one was ‘silly’ enough to predict a city of tens of thousands. Even a year later the absurdity of building a city in such a place, with no inducement but the water, was talked of by many. The water has, however, proved to be quite sufficient to induce the building of a city.

“In August (1879) it presented the appearance of a camp meeting ground and everybody was at the height of enjoyment. People were camping in sheds, tents, wagons and all manner of temporary shelters; some were living in the open air with nothing but the canopy of heaven to shelter them. There was nothing to do but to eat, drink and pass the time away in social chat, telling, perchance of the ancient legends of the ‘Fountain of Youth,’ the late discovery, their afflictions and, the most important, their delivery from disease.

“To give it still more the appearance of an old time camp meeting, ministers of the gospel were here, and preaching was not uncommon. The preacher’s stand was frequently a large rock, and the gravelly hillsides answered for seats to accommodate the audience. The hillsides were spotted with camp fires to warm the usual ‘snack’ or to bake the ‘Johnny cake,’ as up to that time there were no boarding accommodations and each visitor brought his provisions with him. One of these fires had burned a tree partly off at its base, and while nearly all were engaged in the noon-day repast, a tree fell and struck the wife of Professor Clark of Berryville, causing her death in a short time. This was the first death at the famous springs, and a very sad one. The remains were taken to Berryville and interred there, to rest until it shall so please the Almighty Being to give all mortals power to put on immortality.

“Judge Saunders’ shanty was soon followed by another, and another, until the idea of a grocery suggested itself to Mr. O. D. Thornton. People were coming in daily and when their provisions failed they were compelled to go out for a new supply. This Mr. Thornton decided to remedy, at least in the line of groceries. Soon a rough plank house was erected near the spring and the first stock of groceries brought to Eureka Springs, amounting possibly to $200. People began to rush in and plank or box houses were soon scattered over the hillsides and across the gulches, all trying to get as near the spring as possible without thought or regard of system or anything.”[12]

Mr. Kalklosch continues about the growth of the town and mentions the importance of the saw mills operated by Mrs. Massman and Mr. Van Winkle. The first boarding house was set up by a Mrs. King from Washburn, Missouri. She could accommodate only five or six boarders and was always full to capacity. Then the Montgomery Brothers put in a stock of merchandise and did a thriving business.