A Little Bit o' History

The Joy Motel is the second oldest continuously operated motor lodging property in Eureka Springs.

“Camp Joy” was established as a campground for travelers in 1929, with a few cabins added just after. The campground had common shared showers and restrooms with some cabins having private toilet and showers. At that time all cabins had kitchenettes. People usually stayed for a week at a time and did their own housekeeping.

In the thirties more cabins were added and outdoor camping was eliminated. Shared baths still existed, however. The swimming pool was built in 1932 as a privately owned public pool and is the only public pool Eureka Springs has ever had. The pool had showers and dressing rooms. The pool was cleaned and the water changed every two weeks until after World War II when filters and chlorine became required.

“Camp Joy” became “Joy Court” right after World War II. The cabins were covered with rock siding and all were equipped with private baths and kitchenettes. Community baths were eliminated, and the pool remained public.

Beginning in 1960, a few of the cabins were torn down to make room for a new modern motel style structure right next to the pool. Also at this time, the pool was closed to the public, the dressing rooms torn down, and the pool was converted to use by motel guests only. The name was again changed from “Joy Court” to “Joy Motel”.

In the 1960’s and 70’s, more cabins were eliminated and more motel style units were added. In 1967 the concession building was added and in 1973 the office was built. A new laundry building was built in 1985.

In 1999, 2000, and 2001, much cleaning, painting, fixing and landscaping was completed. Queen size beds were added, and the name was changed once again from “Joy Motel” to “Mount Joy Lodge.”

In fall of 2002, Rod Soule purchased the motel. We are intent on bringing the property back to the glory of its early days. Good ole’ hospitality is now the order of the day. Once again, we are changing the name back to “Joy Motel.” Locally, this is what the motel has been known as for many years, and we can think of no better tribute to the property than to make it known again for the emotion it evokes - JOY.