The Brown Springs community, located across the Ouachita River about eleven miles northeast of Arkadelphia near the Clark-Hot Spring County line, was once known as a popular “watering place.” The site became a destination for visitors and tourists—people enjoyed the spring water, the scenic beauty, and the restful surroundings. Reaching its greatest popularity about 1910, many events and gatherings were held there. Area residents visited there too, especially in the summer months.

In the early 1830s, settlers began to occupy areas east of the Ouachita River. At the place now known as Brown Springs, the 160-acre tract on which a half-dozen or so springs emerge from the ground was originally deeded by the State of Arkansas to H. L. Brown. The springs were named for him after he moved to Texas, but according to local historian Farrar Newberry, were first known as “Sulphur Springs,” for the presence of sulphur in the water there. In 1897, a local newspaper made note of the sulphur, stating that “quite a number of our citizens are rusticating at the famous health resort, Brown Springs, imbibing the pure sulphur water.”

Reports about visitation at the springs appeared at various times. For example, in 1893, an Arkadelphia paper stated, “Brown’s Springs, across the river, is becoming to be a popular resort. Several families from this place are now encamped there enjoying the health-giving waters and cool breezes.”

In July of 1896, an article commented on the healthful properties of the springs, reporting that there were “now over fifty persons there receiving the benefit of the life-giving water.” An advertisement proclaimed that the springs provided water particularly useful in treating “kidney and stomach troubles.” There was also an interesting comparison to the town of Searcy: “If these springs were located on the railroad, thousands of persons would visit them yearly and they would become as noted as Searcy and other health resorts in the state.”

Demand was such that an entrepreneur began offering visitors a place to stay while enjoying the springs. “Parties visiting Brown’s Springs to spend a few days and not wishing to camp out, can get good accommodations at the Dove Park Boarding House.” Those accommodations were characterized as “a good house with cool and pleasant rooms.”

Early on, Brown Springs had a brush arbor that hosted many different religious gatherings, and  the Anchor Baptist Church was permanently established in the years following the Civil War. Various ministers visited Brown Springs to deliver messages. One, Rev. Hardy Winburn, arrived in Arkadelphia in the early twentieth century and began his long career of service to Arkadelphia First Baptist Church. He often visited the Anchor church and the Brown Springs community, and came up with the idea of having a summer assembly at the Springs. He even bought some land there on which to construct a facility. According to Farrar Newberry, “In 1904, several ministers met during a revival, planned the first of Winburn’s assemblies for the next year, and gave the forthcoming event wide publicity.” As a result of their efforts, as anticipated, in 1905, a large crowd gathered and hundreds of people camped at Brown Springs.

In addition to such religious gatherings, picnics were held often at Brown Springs, political candidates would campaign there, and visitors of all kinds enjoyed outings to the area. Brown Springs reached its zenith as a tourist destination about 1910, for thereafter, interest declined.