Sitting in the northwestern corner of Arkansas and tucked away at the base of the Ozark Mountains lies the city of Decatur. Native American tribes such as the Cherokee, Sioux, and Iroquois inhabited the area for thousands of years. In 1833, three years before Arkansas became a state, William Freeman Burrow became the first non-native settler in the area. He chose this area because it was close to a freshwater spring that he named St. Elmo Spring, and it is still there today. Burrow was deeded forty acres of land by the United States Government in 1854, and the settlers in the area called their home Corner Springs. In 1882, the town applied for their first post office, but it was rejected because the postal service felt that too many towns had “spring” in their name. After a few attempts, the town was renamed after War of 1812 hero Stephen Decatur.

The people of Decatur worked hard and, by 1939, became part of the growing poultry industry. However, by 1952 the town was nearly abandoned. That changed when Lloyd Peterson developed techniques for breeding meatier chickens, and in 1954, the town won the National Civic League’s All-America City award. As a reward to those hardy residents who kept the faith in the downtime, the Annual Decatur Barbecue was founded, and it is still held today on the first Saturday of August. There is a parade, car show, arts and crafts, and of course, barbecued chicken.

Today, Decatur’s younger population, averaging just under 28 years old, finds the town a great place to raise a family.  The cost of living here is about 18% lower than the national average, and there are many family-friendly things to do. Just a 10-minute drive can find you at the Old Spanish Treasure Cave. You can take a tour deep into the mountain or search for gems like the miners of old did. Bring home a piece of history at the rock shop, housed inside a log cabin built in the 1850s.

Even closer to home is the Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari. The 4-mile driving area includes lions, tigers, camels, and hippos. For the more adventurous types, try the walking area, where you can see kangaroos, giraffes, monkeys and more. If you prefer to create your own adventure, at Edmiston Park, you can find basketball courts, a soccer field, and disc golf. For a frightfully good time, step into Carpenter’s Mortuary. Dating back to 1929, this mortuary turned haunted house is said to be full of paranormal guests.

So much activity can cause quite the hunger. Step back in time at the Hard Luck Café, a 1950s style roadside diner. Make sure to bring your appetite and try the local favorite Big Bopper Burger. For the authentic down-home cooking of the area, try the Gallery Café.

Decatur has come a long way since that initial plot of land, but one thing has remained a constant, nuisance wildlife. If raccoons, birds, or bats have made their way into your home, or business, Natural State Wildlife Solutions is here for you. We are the most-trusted nuisance wildlife removal service in the area, and we work hard to keep that title. Contact us for an estimate or to learn more about our services.