Happy Hollow Jug Fountain

Overview

A beloved local ritual, the Happy Hollow Jug Fountain is where folks swing by to fill bottles and jugs with cool, great-tasting spring water. It’s a simple roadside setup with multiple spouts, just above Fountain Street on the southeast slope of North Mountain—an easy add-on when you’re exploring downtown or North Mountain trails.

What the Water Is (and Isn’t)

This is a cold spring, distinct from the park’s famous hot thermal water. The source likely flows through Arkansas Novaculite, which helps explain the clean, lightly mineralized taste. Average temperature is about 62°F/17°C—refreshing on a warm day. Expect a light mineral profile rather than a heavy, salty taste.

• Typical minerals (approx. mg/L): silica ~8.6, sodium ~1.4, potassium ~1.0, chloride ~2.2, sulfate ~0.90, bicarbonate ~1.0, calcium ~0.30, magnesium ~0.28, nitrate ~0.072.

Safety and Treatment

Cold-spring fountains in the park (including this one) are treated with ozone to meet health regulations. It’s designed to be minimally intrusive, and by the time water reaches the spigots there’s essentially no noticeable “treated” taste.

A Bit of History

Before 1960, this spring was privately operated and called Magnesia Spring—reportedly a nickel for a pitcher. Go further back and you’ll hit the Happy Hollow era (late 1800s–1940s), when McLeod’s Amusement Park nearby had a shooting gallery, zoo, and souvenir shop. Those attractions are gone; the jug fountain tradition remains.

How to Do It Right

Bring clean, food‑grade containers and be courteous at the spigots—fill, cap, and step aside so the next person can go. Parking is right in front but limited, so think “quick stop,” not a long stay. The fountain can occasionally close for maintenance (the push buttons sometimes suffer from misuse), so have a backup plan if you’re hauling big jugs.

Wildlife Note

You’re in an urban-edge park setting; it’s common to spot songbirds and squirrels, and occasionally deer on North Mountain. Observe wildlife from a distance and don’t feed them.

Best Times to Visit

If you want to breeze through, hit it early morning or later in the evening on weekdays. Weekends—especially midday to afternoon—tend to draw more jug-fillers. Most people are in and out within 15 minutes.