The history of six locally significant locations is being looked at closer as an ad hoc committee prepares an educational series designed to share the city's past on a large scale.
The group, comprised of representatives from both city and privately owned entities, have chosen six historically significant sites in Blytheville to focus on as they move forward in building an interest in Cultural Heritage Tourism among local residents.
Megan Atzert, representing the Greyhound Bus Station, said it's important for the success of heritage tourism to cultivate interest in the local population before reaching out to other sources.
"Our goal is to educated the local community on these six sites as best as possible, and then judge the public's reaction to decide how and where to start doing tours and seminars and things like that," Atzert said.
The initial six sites chosen, which are just a jumping off point for the group which plans to branch out into other locations in the future, are the Delta Gateway Museum, the Archeological Survey Station, the U.S. Highway 61 Arch, Founder's Park, The Ritz Civic Center and the Greyhound Bus Station. Representatives from each place are collecting historical information to use in brochures, tours and other public education pieces.
The six locations were chosen not only for their importance to Blytheville's early history but also for how "well-known" each spot is within the community, which committee member George Hubbard said is key in building support.
"Right now we're working toward building public support," Hubbard said. "There are a lot of great historical buildings and sites in town, but we're starting with these because they're already well-known."
cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com