The Eureka Springs Historical Cemetery would like to bring to the community a brief history pertaining to people who lay at rest in our cemetery. We want to encourage our community to learn more about the people who have built this town.

Today let’s talk about Pearl H. Tatman, who was one of the first women to become a medical doctor in the state of Arkansas, practicing as a physician and surgeon. Dr. Pearl is historically known for her compassion for others. She has been called “saintly” by many local folks for decades.

There are a few stories that tell of her kindness and compassion for this community. Dr. Pearl would perform births for mothers when other doctors had refused for one reason or another. She would travel in the frigid winters to give medical aid to the injured and sick. It was known that she would go above the standard for this community, even going as far as sewing baby clothing for a new mother with little to no resources. She would help the townsfolk when they were in need. Dr. Pearl had clearly made a positive impact on the people who helped build and grow Eureka Springs.

Dr. Pearl married Albert Tatman in 1901. Albert was a druggist at the time they married, while Pearl was already a practicing doctor and surgeon. Knowing her husband and the field they worked in, she encouraged him to go to medical school. After graduating medical school, Albert eventually came to be the president of the Eureka Springs Board of Health. While they shared an office on Spring Street, the Tatman doctors played a crucial role in healing the people of Eureka Springs. These are just a few of the many accomplishments in her lifetime. If this brief bit of Eureka Springs history interests you, we recommend our Historical Cemetery Tour to gain a new understanding of symbolism within the cemetery. The tour is available at 11 a.m. on Saturdays through July, for a small fee of $20. Please consider participating in our tour! For further information, contact the cemetery at 479-579-7372. Information can also be found in the cemetery kiosk near the fountain.

The cemetery’s last fundraiser was to replace the old street and block signs. We accomplished this goal thanks to our community’s donations. Please feel free to visit the cemetery and check out our new signs. Our current fundraiser is a big goal: We need to fix the cemetery roads, and we need your help. Feel free to check in during our cemetery commission meetings. The schedule is noted at city hall.

Please note that any additions to permanent structures / monuments must be approved through the cemetery commission before installation. This process keeps the cemetery records up to date and will avoid issues like improper installations and encroachment. We appreciate your assistance!