Watch a Demolition of Abandoned Historic Resort Town in Arkansas
If you have ever been to Northwest Arkansas chances are you have heard of the once-thriving resort town known as Monte Ne located between Rogers, Arkansas, and Beaver Lake.
Monte Ne
Monte Ne, once a beautiful community was a perfect destination for weary travelers to visit and soak their feet in nearby Beaver Lake in the Ozark mountain region. However, after decades of success, the town of Monte Ne was sunk into the waters of the lake where it remains today. The only structure that remained visible was a large building that resembles a tower and on occasion when the lake recedes, the steps from this once glorious resort can be seen.
Over time people called this the forgotten city in Arkansas, Atlantis but as time would have it the resort remained abandoned and sadly it became a haven for vandalism.
In the video below, Serena Barnett Director of the Rogers Historical Museum explains that Monte Ne was a vacation Resort that was established in 1901 with the Hotel Monte Ne.
A man named William Hope Harvey came to Northwest Arkansas in the 1890s and fell in love with the area, according to Barnett, and purchased a 320-acre property at Silver Springs "Coin" as he became known as had a dream of creating a resort. Harvey was instrumental in developing the town of Monte Ne and had a train station built to bring guests to his resort town. Sadly, over time Harvey went broke financially and his dream came to an end, he passed away in 1936, and the town pretty much died with him until it became abandoned and just a memory for folks living in the area. The only thing left standing was the 3-story tower-like building. Monte Ne for the longest became a ghost town and legendary stories of buried treasure.
Recently, the Monte Ne was demolished by a wrecking crew as you will see in the video at the end of this story. The building had to come down because it was deemed unsafe.
The Rogers Historical Museum is working with authorities to preserve some pieces for the museum and plans are underway for a walking trail to help remind folks of what used to be here.
Monte Ne may be gone but it will never be forgotten.
Learn more about Monte Ne by watching this interesting video.