Our town: Redefining cultural diversity through community dynamics in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

From its development as a spa resort town, an artists' colony, a Christian entertainment mecca, a haven for hippies and societal misfits, and now, a gay tourist destination, Eureka Springs, Arkansas has always been home to an odd and diverse collection of individuals. According to community lore, Native Americans considered the site that is now Eureka Springs sacred because of its many fresh springs. The legend of the springs' magical healing powers drew thousands of people in search of a better life. Over the decades, the promise of a place where a person can find solace, inclusion, and the freedom to live as one wants without opposition continues to physically draw people to Eureka.;For the community of Eureka Springs, the word diversity refers more to the cultural, religious, socio-economic, educational, and sexual identity make-up of its residents. Most profoundly, the residents of Eureka Springs possess a noticeable diversity of thought, as in attitudes and approaches to interaction, perceptions of what's best for the community, and how the community should be perceived by "outsiders." Consequently, residents tend to frequently engage in spirited public debates over issues perceived as potentially impacting their quality of life.;This dissertation presents a snapshot of the town's intricately layered cultural diversity. All four groups featured, the artists, the "hippie" counterculture, the faith-based community and its conservative roots, and the gay and lesbian community, have been, in one capacity or another, instrumental in Eureka Springs' economic development and revitalization. Furthermore, each group, through their activities, advocacy, and principles, illustrate how this small Ozark town became a place known for its acceptance of diversity, from the subtle to the extreme, a dynamic which sets it apart from other small communities.