Carroll County is Arkansas ’ 26th county and was formed on Nov . 1 , 1833 . It was named after Charles Carroll , who was the last surviving signer of the United States Declaration of Independence .

Carroll County is a rural county with a population of 28,260 . The county is home to a number of outdoor recreational activities , including hiking , camping , fishing and hunting . The county is also home to some important historical sites , including the Carroll County Courthouse and Berryville Museum . Its breathtaking beauty has a lot to offer visitors . And if you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors , Carroll County is the perfect destination .

6 • HOMETOWN CARROLL COUNTY

Beaver Lake , Table Rock Lake and Kings River offer countless opportunities to the avid outdoorsmen or weekend recreationalist . Carroll County provides some of the best in boating , water skiing , canoeing and fishing habitats in the state .

If you are looking for a quiet retreat , visit Eureka Springs . It is home to many bed and breakfast cabins , as well as the famous , ghostly Crescent Hotel and an historic downtown . You can also find unique architecture like E . Fay Jones ’ Thorncrown Chapel and exotic artwork fabricated by local artisans . Visit the Great Passion Play and see the Christ of the Ozarks statue that keeps a watchful eye over the majestic Ozarks .

Tourism continues to grow as the attractions and festivals draw bigger crowds . The Great Passion Play , New Holy Lands and the Bible Museum have become favorite attractions for church groups . Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge , near Eureka Springs , cares for exotic big cats and other animals , and is open to the public . Thorncrown Chapel is a popular wedding location . Visitors also attend the annual Ozark Mountain UFO Conference .

Jazz festivals , biker events , and gay and lesbian gatherings promote Eureka Springs ’ diverse culture , as the remainder of the county takes a more traditional route . Visitors with roots deep in Carroll County return to trace their ancestry at the Carroll County Historical and Genealogical Society , which is housed in the 1880 courthouse in Berryville that is now also housing the Carroll County Heritage Center .

Tourism is one of the economic drivers of Carroll County . It supports over 2,600 jobs in the area . Carroll County is usually the fifth or sixth largest contributor to the state tourism tax .