El Dorado Defined in the Encarta Dictionary "a place that has great wealth or where great riches can be acquired"

The History of El Dorado Springs starts with the discovery of the spring and it's healing properties. Soon after, the Cruce brothers formed the town, surveyed the land, designated the park around the spring, laid out the streets and the rest of the area was broken up into lots which sold for $10 to $600 each. The town was named "El Dorado Springs".

The Cruce family stayed in El Dorado Springs and remained prominent in its economy through Banking and Real Estate, as well as cultural contributions including the "Opera House" and involvement in the school board and picnic committees.

Cruce Bank 1880's

Shortly after the town was formed a group of young men formed a band and began playing in the Spring Park. Before long the band was paid to perform concerts in the park leading to the citizens of El Dorado Springs to issue bonds for park improvements including the first band stand.

The earliest recorded indication of the town picnic are from 1885 when the city council awarded permits for 3 stands to help with the picnic expenses. Over the years the picnic has lasted from a single day to as long as a week, finally settling on the Thursday Friday and Saturday closest to July 20th each year.