Hot Spring County - Brick Capital of the World

Small-Town Charm

Malvern, county seat for Hot Spring County, is rich in heritage, tradition, and friendliness. Our central location on Hwys. 270 and 67, and Interstate 30 makes us a great place to stay. A stroll through downtown leads to specialty shops, antiques, and a theater that has served the area since 1938. Oak Terrace, a 1910 Victorian home converted into a tea room, is a must for fine dining.

Magnet Cove

This unique community gets its name from the magnetically charged iron ore found in the region. A greater variety of minerals is concentrated in this small area than in any other place in the world. It's a favorite destination for "rock hounds" and geologists. Magnet Cove hosts one of the state's premier Christmas parades the first Saturday in December, and a "Festival of Lights" through December 24 features lights from the famous Osborne collection.

History Buffs Welcome

Come visit our library's Arkansas Room. Art lovers will appreciate the library's collection of Boehm porcelain pieces and the cast iron statue of Cinderella from the Salin Collection of Paris. The Boyle House Museum provides an interesting look at area history. Our county has several "firsts" - the first governor of Arkansas, James S. Conway, was a resident of Magnet Cove; the first river bridge in Arkansas was built over the Ouachita River at Rockport; the first electricity in the state began in Malvern in 1913; the oldest state chartered bank, Bank of Malvern (now Mercantile Bank), opened here in 1889; and the oldest Methodist church west of the Mississippi, Rockport Methodist Church, is located in Rockport on Hwy. 270.

Malvern's Brickfest

Malvern's Annual Brickfest, held the last weekend in June, celebrates one of the city's oldest industries - brick making - and fills the town with music, food, and activities that include a brick toss, brick car derby, and a best dressed brick contest.

Nature Lover's Paradise

There's fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, water sports, and much more to enjoy in Hot Spring County, including two state parks. DeGray State Park has two resorts, camping, picnic areas, a marina, and an 18-hole championship golf course. Highway 67 from Caddo Valley to Malvern is a picturesque 20-mile stretch. Lake Catherine State Park offers rustic cabins, campsites, picnic areas, hiking trails, and more. The Malvern Chamber and area merchants sponsor an annual Tag Fishing Derby at Lake Catherine from May through December. The nearby retirement-resort community of Diamondhead offers fine homes, a lodge, golf course, tennis, swimming, and more. Boulder-strewn Ouachita River has adventuresome rapids in some areas and easy going stretches in others, with excellent fishing and beautiful scenery around every bend. Whether you reach Malvern and Hot Spring County by Interstate 30 or a smaller scenic highway makes no difference, you'll always be glad you came!

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