SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. — At the Siloam Springs Museum, you experience history before you even walk inside. The museum's home, which is located at 112 North Maxwell St., used to be a church dating back to the 1950s.
Each one of the museum's exhibits gives a unique glimpse into the rich history of Siloam Springs. Currently, their exhibits display Industries of Siloam Springs, The Sager Family and Pioneer Life, Railroads of Siloam Springs, and Troy Anderson's art inspired by his Cherokee ancestry.
Before Siloam Springs came to be, the area and the Ozark Mountains region were inhabited by the Native Osage Tribe.
The museum pays homage to Native American culture through Troy Anderson's work. The local artist's exhibit uses art forms such as graphics, sculptures, and watercolors to depict Native American history, prominent figures, wildlife, and legends.
The museum's Sager family display shows the life of the city's "first white settlers," according to the museum's website. Simon Sager settled near what is now known as Sager Creek in the 1830s after leaving Germany. By 1880, Siloam Springs was officially established as a city.
More people were drawn to the area for the city's springs. Not only were the springs contributing to the growing population, but the railroad also officially opened in 1893, bringing an era of tourism and trade to the new city. Despite national problems halting some progress in the city, residents of Siloam Springs continued to build roads, schools, government buildings, and more.
By 1949, the town became a center for the poultry industry with Simmons Foods. To this day, the Siloam Springs company is still distributing poultry, feed ingredients, and pet food across the United States.
Artifacts from local industries like Simmons Foods and La-Z-Boy are displayed in the museum. Folks can even see the first chair made at the local La-Z-Boy plant in 1973!
To learn more about the city's history, the museum is open between Tuesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
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