With the opening of the grandiose Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs entered a new and exciting era. Notables from afar are arriving in our fair city and soon many others will follow.

The Crescent, built by the Eureka Springs Improvement Company and The Frisco railroad is America’s most luxurious Resort Hotel. Featuring large airy rooms, comfortably furnished, the Crescent Hotel offers the visiting vacationer opulence unmatched in convenience and service.

Tonight’s Gala Ball will find in attendance many of the leaders in business and society. As guest of honor, the Honorable James G. Blaine, the Republican presidential nominee, will attend with his charming wife Laura. The very popular Harry Barton and his orchestra will play for tonight’s festivities.

It was two years ago that Powell Clayton and his associates chose the site of the new Crescent Hotel...twenty seven acres at the north end of West Mountain, a majestic location overlooking the valley. The commissioning of Isaac Taylor as architect was announced and construction commenced.

Seldom has such a formidable construction undertaking been accomplished with such efficiency. Special wagons were constructed to transport the huge pieces of magnesium limestone from the quarry site on the White River near Beaver. Due to the density of this special stone, and the precision necessary in cutting and fitting, a group of specialist from Ireland was brought here to assist and advise in construction.

Mr. O’Shawnessey, the spokesman and leader of the imported group, was interviewed by this reporter before his return to Ireland. We recall that "Throughout the many years of his stoneworking, he has never encountered a stone with such density and quality as the White River Limestone". He predicts it will become a popular building stone in the future and further stated that because of its unique characteristics, the eighteen inch thick walls of the Crescent, fitted without the use of mortar, would withstand the destructive forces of time and retain its original beauty for many years to come.

The magnificent structure was then furnished in the most exquisite manner. It is lighted with Edison lamps, furnished with electric bells, heated with steam and open grates, has a hydraulic elevator, and is truly a showplace of today’s conveniences.

In The History of Carroll County by Goodspeeds Publishing, the following information was written about the Eureka Improvement Company and the Crescent Hotel:

The Eureka Improvement Company was incorporated January 15, 1883. The original organizers were Logan H. Roots. P. K. Roots and W. P. Davison, and a temporary organization was effected January 11, 1883. The permanent organization occurred in August, 1884, when the present officers were elected, as follows: President, Powell Clayton; secretary, A. H. Foote; treasurer, Logan H. Roots. The present directory is constituted as follows: Powell Clayton, R. C. Kerens, Logan H. Roots, A. H. Foote, F. N. Richardson, John O'Day, H. N. Morrill, D. H. Nichols, James Dunn. The company has a paid up capital of $269,100. Its property consists of several hundred acres of land, a large part of which has been laid off into streets and lots, and the Crescent Hotel, described here.

The Crescent Hotel was first opened to the public May 10, 1886, under the management of G. W. Kittelle. The building is five stories high, and is built of a variety of white stone, obtained at quarries on White River. The dining-room is 100×40 feet. The building is practically fire-proof. The Waring system of sewerage is adopted. A park of fifteen acres, presenting many attractions, surrounds the hotel. The Crescent was formally opened May 20 and 21, 1886, with an attendance of 400 guests and appropriate exercises.

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