The Development of Mammoth Spring

The constant flow of Mammoth Spring's water provided a reliable source of power as early as 1835, when a grist mill stood on the banks of the river. As the city flourished, Mammoth Spring Improvement and Water Power Company built the dam in 1888, enabling larger companies such as the cotton mill, shoe factory, and wheat mill to operate belt-driven machinery powered by the water flow. Arkansas-Missouri Power Company bought the rights to the dam in 1925 and constructed the hydroelectric plant in 1927, which provided electricity to the area until 1972. Today, the spring is a source of recreation for many to enjoy.

Mammoth Spring, Arkansas · United States