University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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Hell ' s Angels Invade an Ozark Paradise T he balance of the quiet town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, was about to be interrupted in the summer of 1987. It couldn ' t be true, said local Arkan- sans, but it was. The noto- rious motorcycle gang known around the world as the Hell ' s Angels were about to invade their ice-cream so- cial. The gang wasn ' t only go- ing to be zooming through the city, but actually had planned on spending the en- tire week with the residents. At first no one knew the ex- act reason for the visit, but everyone had their own speculations. Some said they already been kicked out of every other town in the U.S. so they settled on the only town left, Eureka Springs. Others were posi- tive the Angels were seeking revenge. Still the rest of the residents were sure that it was a plot to overtake the city and turn it into a museum for Harley Davidsons dating back to the prehistoric Hell ' s Angels members. None of these explana- Adorning leather and riding the standard cruising motorcycle, this Hell ' s Angel was dressed for the annual occasion by living up to the well-known, ca- rousing reputation. Photo by Jon Wam- pler. tions quite fit the reason for the visit. Actually, the Angels were just looking for a new place to hold their annual re- union. Once a year, the members pack all their va- cation gear onto the back of their bikes and convoy with other members to the des- ignated city . This year the city just happened to be Eu- reka Springs, Arkansas. The Hell ' s Angels piled in- to the city in an orderly fash- ion. They walked around the town and visited with the oth- er residents as well as get- ting reaquainted with other members. The gang enjoyed a week of peacefulness and good-natured conversation. Surprisingly, the residents also enjoyed the visit. When the week came to the end the townspeople offered an ex- tended invitation to their city to the bikers. Then the gang got back on their cycles and left the city just as orderly as they entered. 6 RAZORBACK JULY-AUGUST Law enforcement was tripled in Eureka Springs for the duration of the Hell ' s Angels visit. Both bikers and police were a common sight on the city ' s streets.

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eureka ARKANSAS he little Switzer- land of the Ozarks. Late sum- mer in Eureka Springs, the Victo- rian city tucked in- the Ozarks of northwest kansas, was sometimes died the secret season. lie often hectic pace of smmer slowed as the tour- RS returned to other worlds Uiknown. The winding seets were less crowded, aowing for leisurely strolls, fit unhurried exploration of tfj unique shops and busi- nsses, for quiet meals and taxing evenings at a music sbw or the Great Passion P.y. At each turn in the narrow streets which never intersect at right angles, visitors could find the unexpected. Multi- story hotels and businesses rise right up fron the edges of mountains, while ginger- bread-trimmed cottages cling to hillsides. Each hollow and hilltop beckoned to be explored. There were artists ' shops, brimming with fine quality oil paintings, wildlife drawings, watercolors, sculpture and pottery. Other shops sold unusual as well as traditional items, such as hand-made dolls, leather goods, gold and silver jewelry, quilts, ori- h aper flower artisan and other craft makers entertain these young its on the winding streets of Eureka Springs. Photo by James Gaston. ental rugs, rocks, antiques, toys, candy, and Christmas decorations. For those who loved to pole around in reminders of the past, there were museums which deal with the city ' s past as well as spe- cialized museums. Some of the collections included Bi- bles and religious manu- scripts, musical instruments, dolls, bells, and frogs. Visitors could ride and dine on a restored steam railway line at the Eureka Springs and North Arkansas Railway, trail their fingers in one of the Ozarks ' largest springs at Blue Springs; sample French cuisine or barbecue in one of the city ' s many restaurants and cafes, explore the depths of a cave, or visit a castle museum at Inspiration Point. Three professional music shows offered country mu- sic, gospel, contemporary and other music blended with country humor. The Pine Mountain Jamboree, oldest of the Eureka Springs shows, as well as the Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down and the Warren Stokes Country Re- vue were family-oriented productions. Eureka Springs has been a special city for many students at the University. A unique escape with so much to offer, Eureka Springs ' narrow streets and homey cafes allowed us to feel that we were so far from our cramped apartments and our over-active schedules. Eureka Springs is one of the most visually beautiful towns, said Laura Menees, a returning student who owned the Four Winds Bed and Breakfast in the small city. It has a cosmopolitan atmosphere. People come here from everywhere, it ' s almost like being in another country. There ' s a magnetic feel and attraction to the hills, she said. Eureka Springs 5

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hot weather cut short the visit of the Hell ' s Angels members iding an exciting few days in early August. Photo by Jon Wampler. Religious Themes Thrive in NW Arkansas An evening performance you would probably never forget definitely de- fined The Great Passion Play experience. It was produced by the Elna M. Smith Foun- dation attracting hundreds of thousands visitors each year. To date nearly four mil- lion people from every state in the United States and over forty-eight foreign countries have made the journey to Eu- reke Springs to view this live presentation. The 4,400 individual seat amphitheatre and the perme- nant multi-level stage al- lowed the audience to feel a part of the city of Jerusalem. The cast of over 200 actors, the unique streets and build- ings and the use of many an- People of all re- ligions seem to enjoy the sites that Eureka Springs has to offer. Among the sites people see while visit- ing Eureka Springs are The Christ of the Ozarks Statue, Thorncrown Chapel, The Great Passion Play, and The New Holy Land. Photo by Mike Elliott. imals native to the Middle East combined to make the final days of Christ ' s life based on the Gos- pels come to life. Other projects that were part of the Smith Foundation included the the Christ of the Ozarks, a bible museum, a Sacred Arts Center, the new Holy Land and the Church in the Grove. Whatever the religious interests of visitors to Eureka Springs, whether it be curiosity or peaceful devotion, it was fulfilled against the backdrop of the gorgeous Ozark mountains.