Rush, Arkansas - The Forgotten Metropolis

Having traveled to Yellville several times in the past month, home of the brand new Black Sheep Joe's restaurant, I haven't had the opportunity to drive south 15-20 minutes and visit the ghost town of Rush, AR.

If you aren't from the Ozarks, the drive from Yellville to Rush is a great example of the Ozarks' scenery and Arkansas' strategic road designs. You will follow the dips and turns for about 10 minutes and suddenly realize you are riding a mountain ridge where you will catch a glimpse of the large valley in which Rush is nestled. Turning east on County Rd 635 from Hwy 14, I wasn't expecting the rapid descent required to access the valley. (Caution: Perform a brake check and lower your gearing if you're pulling a camper trailer.)

The sign reads the following about Rush, AR:

"The Ghost Town of Rush stands as a mute testimony to the activities of a bygone era. Zinc carbonate ore was discovered in this valley in the late 1880's and the "rush" was on. Soon the hillsides were dotted with mines sprouting coloful names such as Morning Star, White Eagle, Monte Cristo, Red Cloud, Buelah, MacIntosh, Edith, and Yellow Rose. The population of the valley rose and fell with the demands of the zinc market. The peak came during the period of 1914-1917 when more than 5,000 people were said to have lived and worked here. At the end of World War I the bottom fell out of the zinc market and mines were abandoned. Those buildings date from the early 1900's and were inhabited until the 1960's, serving as homes and a general store and a post office". 

My visit was short lived, but I plan to visit again soon!

Here is a great read on a mine shaft I intend to investigate and see if it is still accessible! Click Here: UndergroundOzarks.com

Hiking Tour Guide - Click Here: Rush Online Brochure