Located on Arkansas Highway 43 near the Oklahoma state line, Maysville is one of the oldest settlements in Benton County. This quaint, unincorporated community boasts a rich history dating back to the early 19th century.
Although now unincorporated and listed as a "populated place," Maysville still holds the distinction of being the westernmost community in the state of Arkansas.
The first white resident of what would become Maysville was Adam Beatie, who arrived in 1828. The area was initially known as Beatie’s Prairie, named after Beatie, and later became the site of the first post office in the region, operating from 1840 to 1850.
The community was officially named Maysville in 1850, in honor of John Martin May, who settled there in 1831.During the 1840s, Maysville was the largest settlement in Benton County. The community thrived with the establishment of a school, one of the earliest in the county, around 1845.
Maysville also saw the rise of the Harmonial Vegetarian Society, a communal living group that advocated for vegetarian diets and self-sufficiency. Although the society disbanded during the Civil War, its legacy remains a fascinating chapter in Maysville's history.
The society was a fascinating experiment in communal living in pre-Civil War western Arkansas during the late 1850s. Founded by Dr. James E. Spencer, a Connecticut physician, Creek Dr. Spencer purchased 580 acres of land along Honey Creek between Maysville and Gravette and named it Harmony Springs.
He settled a group of vegetarian "Reform Christians" on the property, emphasizing the ability to achieve perfection on earth through works rather than faith.
society renounced traditional marriage, choosing mates by lots instead.
The society built a large mansion to house the Harmonial Healing Institute, which offered a "Hydro-Electrical system of medical application." They also published a monthly paper called The Theocrat.
The "communistic" society faced legal troubles, including accusations of breaking the Sabbath. The outbreak of the Civil War dealt a significant blow, as Confederate forces commandeered their lands for a training camp.
Noted Cherokee General Stand Waite trained Indian forces on the mostly abandoned property. Brig. General N.B. Pearce was named commander of Fort Walker after the property and buildings were converted into a Confederate stronghold in 1861.
The area saw at least four skirmishes during the Civil War—in January 1863, September 1863, May 1864, and July 1864. Some of these battles included Indian troops fighting for both the Federal and Confederate forces.
The wartime violence, combined with the activities of guerrilla bands unaffiliated with either government, led to a significant decline in the community. Many members left, and the society eventually disbanded.
Bushwackers burned most of the buildings on the site before the conclusion of the War in 1865 and, eventually, the property sold with the proceeds divided among the remaining community members.
The region gained a reputation for violent crime, partly because its proximity to the boundary of Indian Territory made it easy for criminals to escape.
The first commercial apple orchard in Arkansas was established near Maysville by a Cherokee woman whose name has unfortunately been lost to history. The orchard thrived until the Civil War, when the settlement's buildings were destroyed, leading to the abandonment of the orchard.
Despite the lack of a railroad, Maysville continued to grow in the late 19th century, boasting three general stores, a grocery and hardware store, a grist mill, a hotel, and several other businesses by 1888.
However, a devastating fire in 1891 destroyed much of the downtown area, causing significant losses. The community struggled to recover, and its growth was hindered by its remote location.
In the last census, the population of Maysville was enumerated at 117, many of which are thought to be ancestors of the original settlers of the region.
While it may no longer be the bustling hub it once was, the community's history and charm continue to attract visitors and history enthusiasts alike. Efforts to preserve and honor Maysville's past are ongoing, ensuring that future generations can appreciate its unique story.
