History of Hardy

Hardy, Arkansas was established in 1883 after the completion of the Kansas City, Springfield and Memphis Railroad. The town was developed on 600 acres of land along the banks of the Spring River with the purpose of servicing the needs of travelers who passed through by train. Before Hardy was a tourist destination, it was home to only a few hundred people, mainly railroad workers. When a married couple became temporarily stranded in Hardy due to their train having mechanical issues, they climbed Wahpeton Hill on the south bank of the Spring River. It was there, in 1908, that they became captivated by the area’s natural beauty. The following year, they returned and purchased 50 acres of land on Wahpeton hill where they built a summer cottage. Over the next several years, they continued to purchase more and more land on which they built cottages for summer visitors, and inspired others to do the same. Two resorts were established, along with several youth summer camps near Hardy, and thus, the beginning of a tourism and economic boom was underway. By 1920, Hardy was becoming what it is known for today – rich with folk culture, rare beauty and people who love the land. Read more about Hardy, Arkansas’ history at the Encyclopedia of Arkansas below.