In a recent batch of additions to the National Register of Historic Places, Big Spring in Bull Shoals was among the newest to receive the distinction.
The Big Spring consists of the spring itself and the stonework up the hill to the north of the spring. The stonework was completed by the Green Thumb program and consists of a six-level curved terrace constructed out of fieldstone. A series of fieldstone steps which access the various levels are located at the northeast end of the terrace.
In addition, a large fieldstone retaining wall is located to the northeast of the steps. Railings which are made of fieldstone pillars connected by two horizontal wood beams are located at the bottom of the terrace and at the top of the stone retaining wall. An additional railing is also located along the upper part of the fieldstone steps.
The Green Thumb worked to complete projects around the state which helped improve the lives of workers for the program as well as the residents of the communities where they worked. Green Thumb’s work in Big Springs took place in 1973.
The spring is located within Bull Shoals-White River State Park, which was created in the 1950s. The original design of the Green Thumb is still evident in the area retaining the feel of the program during the 1960s and 70s.
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