Mountain View, Arkansas: Folk Music and Art, Tiny Town

The 2005 census lists the population of Mountain View as under 3000. Yet the small town has vitality, creativity, and joy.  It is surprising to discover that the film star Dick Powell was born in Mountain View.
The town thrives mostly on tourism. The area has many attractions to draw visitors, from the Blanchard Springs Caverns to the Ozark Folk Center to the White River to the Ozark National Forest. Hunting and fishing opportunities abound here. There are several major festivals held each year, and a number of jam sessions for musicians at the local cafes and the courthouse square. The largest business is the Stone County Iron Works. There is of course some small scale farming, some cattle and chicken raising as well.
In October, the Arkansas Bean Fest includes an outhouse race. In Mid-March there is a Bluegrass Festival, and of course Christmas is a great time to be in Mountain View. The town's charming woodsy setting is perfect for winter celebrating and warm gatherings in front of a fireplace. At the folk art center you can even take banjo lessons. Gosh, you might never want to leave this great little town.
An interesting historical note about Mountain View is the 1929 murder case involving in which a young man was killed. Years went by before evidence came to light that while on a date with his young girlfriend, four men attacked them. They raped the girl, who testified at the trial, and then killed the young man and buried him. The Connie Franklin case makes good reading.