Siloam Springs
Arkansas
City of Siloam Springs
Mission:
To provide utility, safety, recreational, court, street airport, library, cemetery AND community development services, and to collaborate in providing educational and hospital services to residents, visitors and business community by a mix of programs, physical facilities, information and instruction.
About Us:
Our earliest history dates to 1835 when Simon Sager settled on a farm one mile west of what is now the City of Siloam Springs. The 28 springs along the creek were named in his honor, "Sager Creek". His original dwelling has been restored and is now located on the campus of John Brown University.
The first settlement was called Hico, and in 1884 Caldeen D. Gunter settled there. At about this time the Hico Post Office was established. This was later moved to Siloam City (Siloam Springs). Hico was a prominent trading post with the Cherokee nation and consisted of two stores and a mill.
In 1879 it was discovered that the waters contained medicinal qualities and the establishment of a summer resort began. The first anniversary of the town was celebrated on the 24th of June. In March 1880, J.V. Hargrove laid out the original plat of Siloam City. The name was later changed to Siloam Springs. Due to the reputation gained as a summer resort and the prospect of the railroad through town, the town was incorporated during its first year of existence on December 22, 1881, with a population of over 3,000. After this initial "boom" many of the transient residents returned to their homes and the population dwindled to about half. This was the only time in the history of the town that the population dwindled so rapidly.
The first newspaper for the town of Siloam Springs was established in 1880 by Thomas Gallagher and was known as the "Sun". Other early papers were the Globe, Arkansas Herald, and the Locomotive.
In 1892 the town experienced a great flood which took two lives and destroyed much of the downtown area. Rebuilding began immediately and, since that time, the town has sustained a steady growth pattern.
The coming of the railroad in 1897 stepped up the economy of western Benton County. Orchards, poultry products, hides, wool, beef and all agricultural products found a ready market with the City of Siloam Springs serving as the shipping point and trade center. This trade center remains today, and is a great advantage to industry.
In 1919 John E. Brown, Sr. founded the Southwestern Collegiate Institute in the City of Siloam Springs. In 1920 the name was changed to John E. Brown College, and in 1934 the name was again changed to John Brown University. Today the school has an enrollment of over 1,500 students and is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and by the Arkansas State Department of Education as a four-year college.
At an altitude of 1,183 feet above sea level, the climate consists of an average temperature of 58.4 degrees and an average rainfall of 41.75 inches. Snow is usually at a premium and makes few appearances during the season, and spring brings an abundance of beautiful Dogwoods. The census count of 2010 put the population count at 15,039.
Recent News
City of Siloam Springs - Kayak Park Now Open
Kayak Park Now Open Siloam Springs Kayak Park is now open after being closed last week due to dangerous water levels. Water has now receded to safe levels and all repairs and cleanup at the park have been completed. Learn more about the Kayak…
Read More »City Of Siloam Springs Celebrates 211 Day
Mayor Judy Nation signed a proclamation today declaring Saturday, February 11, 2023 as 211 Day throughout the City of Siloam Springs. Arkansas 211 is a free, confidential, 24-hour information and referral service that connects residents with…
Read More »City of Siloam Springs News : Youth Baseball Registration is Now Open
Youth Baseball registration is NOW OPEN! This year's season will be hosted by the Boys and Girls Club of West Benton County. The Boys & Girls Club Baseball program is a recreational league with an emphasis on teaching basic fundamentals in a…
Read More »City of Siloam Springs News : Bob Henry Park Riparian Restoration Project
Flowers will be blooming this summer at Bob Henry Park as a part of an ongoing riparian restoration project. With significant funding from Illinois River Watershed Partnership, last September crews began working on a multi-phase project at Bob…
Read More »City of Siloam Springs News : Sanitation Update
Please note the following sanitation updates due to current weather conditions. The Transfer Station will be closed for the rest of the week. Recycling routes, outside routes, and yard waste will NOT be picked up this week. Cardboard dumpsters…
Read More »City of Siloam Springs News Recycle Bins Now In Stock
Residents of Siloam Springs, may we have your attention please! Recycle bins are in stock! They have been backordered from the manufacturer for many months, so the demand was high. We are asking residents to take no more than one per address…
Read More »City of Siloam Springs News : Sign Up for Notifications
Sign up today to receive notifications from the City of Siloam Springs! Here are steps on how to sign up: First, visit siloamsprings.com. On the homepage, click ‘Get Updates.’ Next, enter your email address and click ‘Sign…
Read More »City of Siloam Springs News : Fire Chief Jeremey Criner to Serve on FireProtection Services Board
We are pleased to announce Siloam Springs Fire Chief Jeremey Criner has been appointed to serve on the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board for a two-year term starting January 2023. "It is humbling and an honor to serve on this board," Chief…
Read More »Flags at Half-Staff in Memory of Detective Paul Newell
Governor Asa Hutchinson has directed the United States flag and the Arkansas State flag to fly at half-staff in tribute to the memory of Detective Paul Newell of the Benton County Sheriff's Office. Flags will fly at half-staff until Dec. 28. On the…
Read More »City of Siloam Springs News: Third Annual 'Deck The House' Decorating Contest!
The City Board of Directors, in partnership with the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce, are thrilled to announce the start of our 3rd annual citywide Holly Jolly Christmas Deck the House decorating contest! Register Here: Registration Form See…
Read More »City of Siloam Springs News National Pearl Harbor Rememberance Day
The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December 7 of each year as “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.” President Biden has ordered flags to fly at half-staff today, in honor and remembrance. You can click…
Read More »City of Siloam Springs: Lineman Apprentice Position Available
Lineman Apprentice The incumbent is responsible for assisting Linemen, Journeyman while learning all areas of maintenance, construction, repair and operational tasks on electrical power lines, transformers, etc. in order to keep electrical service…
Read More »City of Siloam Springs: Substation Technician Position Available
Substation Technician Installation, testing, maintenance and repairs of City electric substations, relays, metering and traffic signals. Responsible for substation inspections, meter installations, and traffic signal maintenance; other duties…
Read More »City of Siloam Springs: Administrative Assistant - Maintenance Position Available
Administrative Assistant - Maintenance The Administrative Assistant works under the Maintenance Superintendent and is responsible for providing confidential and routine clerical and administrative support to the Superintendent and staff. …
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