Welcome to Eureka Springs

The I-Sh*t-You-Not History of America’s Quirkiest Town

Coming in spring 2026!

Truth is quirkier than fiction in this romp through the history of one unforgettable town.

Millions of tourists know Eureka Springs, Arkansas, as a charming Victorian village. Far fewer have heard these sixty too-crazy-to-make-up tales of colorful characters who have trodden its wildly uneven streets.

How did a skin rash lead to the town’s founding? Why did local saloons post signs saying “All Nations Welcome Except Carrie”? Did the Crescent Hotel really have a morgue in its basement? What illicit attraction drew Willie Nelson back year after year? And how did a remote backwoods hamlet become a haven for hippies, bikers, the gay community, and a seven-story Jesus statue?

Find out as you discover the other side of the Ozarks!

Ebook

Welcome to Eureka Springs will be available as an ebook at all the usual sites, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, the Apple Bookstore, and Google Play, among many others.

Print

A black-and-white paperback edition will be available at all the usual online booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and can easily be ordered by your favorite local bookstore via their usual channels.

A local edition color paperback will be available only in Eureka Springs.

Audiobook

An audiobook edition will be available. The overall narrator is Ken Rundel, co-host of the syndicated radio program The Flower Power Hour with Ken & MJ. The chapters are narrated by Eureka Springs residents, shown here in the studio:

1. Black dog’s father: **Jeff Danos** is director of the Eureka Springs Historical Museum.

9. Lizzie Fyler: **Rachael Moyer** is a University of Arkansas professor, Eureka Springs city council member, and co-owner of Loblolly Pines Adventure Camp.

Caden Pruitt and Abbey Foster — 10. The James Gang: **Caden Pruitt** and **Abbey Foster** are residents of Eureka Springs’ Oddball Hollow neighborhood.

12. Michael: **Diane Newcomb** is a ghost tour guide and paranormal investigator for the Crescent and Basin Park hotels.

13. Major Penn: **W. Keith Brenton** is a retired minister and author of the sci-fi novel series, The People-of-the-Water Cycle. He served as docent for Penn Castle when it was on the Christmas Tour of Homes.

14. J. W. Newport: While driving through Eureka Springs in 1984, **Carrie Marry** was captivated. Two decades later, she moved to the town of art, architecture, interesting people, and natural beauty that grabbed her heart.

16. Richard Kerens: **Sharon Keck Parker** is a vocal consultant and music director of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church.

17. Dr. Ellis: **Simon Wiley** is director of the Eureka Springs Public Works Department and a Chamber of Commerce board member.

20. Carry A. Nation: **Phil Steele** is a retiree.

23. Emil Seidel: **MJ Nolen** cohosts the Flower Power Hour with Ken & MJ.

24. Festus Orestes Butt: **Shawn Fouste** is a US Army veteran and co-owner of Evening Shade Inn.

28. Ben Kynard: **Anitra Jay** is an acoustic soul singer/songwriter whose music weaves together the rich tapestries of jazz, pop, and gospel.

29. Claude Fuller: **Ida Meyer** is the City Clerk/Treasurer of Eureka Springs.

30. By Golly: **Jana Robison** is an internationally collected pop surrealist artist.