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Region 4
 Discovery of "black gold" in the 1920s established this part of the state as Arkansas oil country. El Dorado, "Arkansas' Original Boomtown - a place of great riches," is a good spot to start Tour Four.
Downtown El Dorado's Historic Square features restored 1920s and '30s businesses, the ornate County Courthouse, restaurants, specialty shops and nine buildings listed on the National Register.
Eclectic dining choices abound, from JJ's Barbecue and Fayrays to homemade fudge for dessert at LaBella's Deli.
Antique shopping is at its finest in El Dorado from Blackmon's Antique Mall, Attic Treasures, Blewsters and other fine antique shops.
The South Arkansas Arboretum at Mount Holly Road and Timberlane in El Dorado provides a gorgeous setting featuring 17 acres of paved nature trails and beautifully arrange ponds and many species of flowers and trees found in Arkansas. A covered pavilion and restroom facilities for handicapped are available.
Must see El Dorado landmarks also include the Anthony forest Products Mural (Washington and Peach Streets) and the Norphlet Crater, created in 1922 when oil well drillers plunged a bit into a huge pocket of natural gas causing an explosion, cave-in and fire that burned out of control for weeks. The crater was 600 feet in diameter and over 100 feet deep. Maps are available at the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce.
Drive north on Ark. 7 to visit the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, where exhibits, video presentations and displays (oil wells, rigs, derricks) provide fascinating look at the history of Arkansas' oil boom. Keep driving north on Ark. 7 to Smackover, where the city's renovated Main Street provides interesting shopping and takes you back to the "oil boom" days.
If your visit takes you on to Louisiana, be sure to visit the new state-of-the art Welcome Center located at the south edge of El Dorado on U.S. Hwys 167 and 82.
Trip IdeasFor places to go and things to do in Arkansas's South, click on a town you would like to visit on our Trip Ideas section. You will be inspired to discover all the great things southern Arkansas has to offer.
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