Discover Union County

The Ouachita River borders Union County to the north and east, and forested areas shape the landscape. In El Dorado, historic architecture and the history of the oil boom come together with an annual festival and recurring performance offerings. An arboretum and waterways add tangible connections to nature to these cultural themes. As you plan your trip, you can first consider whether you are more interested in historic sites, local traditions, or landscapes: places throughout the county each have their own focus.

Architecture and Local History in El Dorado

The El Dorado Commercial Historic District encompasses 68 brick and masonry buildings from the early 20th century, as well as a monument. At the center of the district is 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 district’s historic buildings, the courthouse as its centerpiece, and the preserved streetscape thus stand out as distinct features.

Another perspective on the city’s history can be found at the Newton House Museum, a historic house dating to 1849 and built in the Greek Revival style. The Murphy-Hill Historic District encompasses one of the oldest residential areas in the city of El Dorado. These places represent different scales of architectural history: from a single house to a residential area to a commercial district.

Traces of the Oil Boom

At the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, visitors can see working equipment from the oil industry. This includes a replica of a 112-foot-tall derrick and a central power station that could supply up to 15 drilling sites. The museum also features a replica boomtown with an old jail and café for visitors to explore. Exhibits cover the origins of oil production and explain how oil is drilled.

Oil Heritage Park presents El Dorado’s history as an oil boomtown through sculptures, artifacts, and interpretive panels. The subject can thus be explored in several places and from different perspectives: through technical equipment, the replica boomtown, and the historical context of the boom.

Nature Between the Arboretum and Waterways

The South Arkansas Arboretum is a 12-acre wooded area. It is home to plants native to Arkansas’s West Gulf Coastal Plain, as well as exotic camellias and azaleas. The arboretum has signed, paved walking trails. The variety of plants brings together regional species and the exotic plants mentioned above, while the trails offer another reason to take a walk.

Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge is home to the world’s largest green-tree reservoir. Its waterways in Ashley and Union Counties total 8.3 river miles across three trails. Since water conditions can change, it is advisable to check them before a planned trip. Historically, regulation of water levels on the Ouachita River supported boating, hunting, and fishing. The county therefore offers both botanical attractions and waterways, along with a glimpse into the history of river use.

The Mayhaw Festival and More Experiences

The annual Mayhaw Festival takes place on the first Saturday in May and celebrates the native mayhaw berry found in the swamps and lowlands of the South. The festival features mayhaw jelly, live music, a 5K run, a 10K run, and a wing cook-off. The combination of a regional berry, music, and sporting events gives the festival its own seasonal character.

The South Arkansas Arts Center also offers numerous performances every year. The MAD Playscape covers two acres, and its play equipment has been selected for different age groups and their evolving styles of play. Alongside historic sites and nature, these experiences offer additional points of interest during a stay in Union County.

Discover more destinations: El Dorado, Franklin County, Benton, Baxter County, Columbia County, Stone County, Arkansas County, Dallas County.

For the main travel overview: Arkansas.