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Attractions

Welcome to Cleburne County's Tourism page. Here you will find information on all the different tourism attractions in Cleburne County. We have also included links to our town's numerous accommodations. Click on the links to the right for our Hotel Guide, listing of River Lodging, and areas for Fishing & Camping.

Ruland Junction Toy Train Museum

In the days before television, when teaching children about the world around them was very much a “hands on” experience, Wayne Ruland’s grandmother took him to Penn Station in Newark, New Jersey.  Grandmother Ruland took her grandchildren to see steam trains, electric and diesel trains, trolleys, horse-drawn freight wagons, porters, conductors and engineers, and he learned quickly to recognize the sound of the clickety-clack, clickety-clack as the train went down its’ tracks.  The love of trains was instilled in Wayne from a very early age, as it was his father, Ed.

Today, the heritage, knowledge, and skills have been recycled into Ruland Junction Toy Train Museum located in Heber Springs, Arkansas.   The exterior of the museum was designed to replicate an old-time train station with eyebrow windows as a tribute to Lionel.  The interior houses a unique collection of operating layouts, vintage display cases, libraries, children’s play area, and dozens of artfully displayed metal figures, train memorabilia, and toys, both old and new on two stories. 

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The Museum is located at 401 South 12th Street in Heber Springs and they are currently open weekends.
RULAND JUNCTION is a MUST SEE when you’re visiting the area.   For current hours of operation please call 501-362-6342

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Address:

Ruland Junction Toy Train Museum
401 South 12th Street
Heber Springs, AR 72543
 

Phone: 501-362-6342
E-mail:
smtmr42@gmail.com



Birding

Website: http://www.arkansas.com/!userfiles/birding/birding-brochure-2012.pdf



​Majestic Trumpeter Swans

Almost like a reoccurring dream, the majestic Trumpeter Swans return every year to little Magness Lake east of Heber Springs.  One of the most amazing birding scenes in the country takes place in the colder months on a 30 acre oxbow lake near the famous Little Red River.  The largest population of Trumpeter Swans in the southeast United States descends upon Magness Lake every year, making for a truly unique birding experience.   While you are viewing the Trumpeter Swans, be sure to visit Little Red River for a chance to spot a Bald Eagle.  Birding opportunities abound in the Greers Ferry Lake and Little Red River Region of Arkansas, the Natural State.

 

Cleburne county is located on the convergence of the Ozark Mountain foothills with the fertile Delta region and an abundance of water means the conditions are ideal for viewing a wide variety of wild birds and other wildlife year-round.

Little Red River Audubon Society

website: http://www.littleredriveraudubonsociety.com/

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Little Red River Audubon Society is the local chapter of National Audubon Society for the Greers Ferry Lake area. Our mission is to actively seek to increase everyone's understanding of nature.


We hold educational meetings and field trips covering many subjects. We also provide programs and "Audubon Adventures" material to area schools.
At least two scholarships are awarded each year for students to attend the week-long Halberg Ecology Camp. 

Our membership includes avid birders, but also  gardeners, hikers, photographers and artists.   What we have in common is an interest in our natural world and a desire to preserve and protect it.

Mike Disfarmer - Photographer



In the small mountain town of Heber Springs, the Arkansas portrait photographer known as Mike Disfarmer captured the lives and emotions of the people of rural America during the two World Wars and the Great Depression. Critics have hailed Disfarmer's remarkable black and white portraits as "a work of artistic genius" and "a classical episode in the history of American photography." This documentary discovers an American master, his influence on the Modern New York art world and the legacy he left behind in his hometown of Heber Springs.



Video: http://ww3.tvo.org/video/168724/director-martin-lavut-and-producer-dennis-mohr-disfarmer



Seven Natural Springs

At the turn of the century, Heber Springs enjoyed some renown as an aspiring health spa.  At one time, a dozen or more fine hotels and boarding houses were in business in Heber Springs to accommodate the visitors who came to test the healing effects of the drinking water from the seven mineral springs.  A variety of names were given to the springs, which may account for why some of the springs are more popular than others.  The names were White Sulfphur, Arsenic, Chalybeate, Iron Freestone, Red Sulphur, Saltpeter, Magnesium Powder, Eye Springs and Black Sulphur.  Some springs still serve faithful patrons who ardently attest to the medicinal properties of the water.

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