Conclusions

Hi all! As our project is winding down, we wanted to share our findings. While this may be our last post (although hopefully not our last adventure!), we want to thank our readers and encourage you to seek out and visit sites of historical and legendary importance within Arkansas.

Over the past few months, we have traveled to central Arkansas and Eureka Springs in order to uncover folklore and tales of hauntings. A few places we've visited include: Old State House (Little Rock), the Old Mill (North Little Rock), the Crescent Hotel (Eureka Springs), Galloway Hall (Conway), MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History (Little Rock), and Curran Hall (Little Rock). The existence of ghosts and monsters is a question for others to debate. However, the importance of legends cannot so easily be disputed. We have noticed a few reasons why ghost stories persist through time.

We believe that one of the most important reasons is because people can feel a connection with the past. One of the best examples we have is the Jones House of Little Rock. The Jones family wanted to remember their deceased friends No one knows with certainty whether or not their homes are actually haunted. However, the voices and noises they allegedly heard give the family a sense that their friends are still watching out for them. Another example, one that is more strictly related to history, is the Crescent Hotel. Ghost tours are available for guests, which means that many people get the opportunity to hear the folklore surrounding the 128 year old hotel. Guides wear period-appropriate clothing and guests listen to personal stories of the Crescent's past occupants that may have never checked out. People not only feel connected to history - tours like the Crescent's allow people to feel involved as well. Consequently, we seem personally invested in a collective past - something Arkansans can share with one another. As a result, people are more interested in Arkansas's history which keeps the past alive.

Furthermore, some of these ghostly tales have received national attention. Aside from the Crescent Hotel and Jones Houses being featured on Ghost Hunters, other urban legends like the Fouke and White River Monsters have been featured in national media outlets. This brought widespread attention to the Natural State, which has been glossed over so often in the past. Popular culture (such as The Legend of Boggy Creek and Ghost Hunters) continually remind people that Arkansas has stories to share with the world. Sometimes the attention can bring in money as well. The Crescent Hotel can, at least partially, thank their famous reputation as America's Most Haunted Hotel for their survival and revival in the past few decades. The ghost tours are extremely popular with tourists and guests, which brings in revenue. This money can thus be used to further preserve local history for future generations.

So what are the cultural impacts of haunted tales and urban legends on Arkansas? As mentioned above, these stories promote history in the public conscious. Popular media has featured Arkansas or has Arkansas ties: Ghost Adventures (Travel Channel) has visited Fort Smith, a filmmaker wanted to make a movie surrounding the White River Monster, Supernatural had an episode based in Arkansas (although it was actually filmed in Vancouver, was set in a nonexistent prison, and did not feature an actual Arkansas urban legend), and the author behind HBO's popular show True Blood lives in Magnolia. It is worth noting there seems to be a sense of pride when the state garners attention in the media - Channel 11, the Arkansas Times, and others ran stories advertising the fact that Ghost Hunters had visited Little Rock and a local home would be featured on SyFy. The Old State House Museum has an original movie poster from The Legend of Boggy Creek. As a result, our stories can be remembered and retold, fueling an interest in the state's history.

All in all, ghost stories and urban legends may not be the biggest aspect of Arkansas's culture. Our state has numerous features that make us unique and noteworthy. However, paranormal tales should not be discounted either. Arkansas, like many states, faces a number of stereotypes, some positive, some negative. Thankfully, the Natural State's folklore is one way that Arkansas can garner positive attention. People are reminded that every state has a culture and a history to be remembered, explored, and promoted. That has been our goal during this project. Again, we want to thank our readers and encourage others to learn more about their state's past through its stories.