Holiday Island’s story begins long before it became a resort town, rooted in native land, settler history, and a vision for lakeside living in the heart of the Ozarks. From its humble beginnings as Bandy’s Bend to its modern-day charm, our city’s journey reflects the strength and vision of the people who built it.

2020

Residents vote to incorporate; Holiday Island becomes an official city.

The Heart of Holiday Island

Tucked into the northern edge of Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains, Holiday Island is a lakeside city shaped by the natural beauty that surrounds it and the evolving vision of the people who’ve called it home. While its official incorporation as a city is recent, the story of Holiday Island spans generations, blending the region’s indigenous roots, early frontier settlement, mid-century recreation development, and modern growth into one uniquely American narrative.

Long before homes dotted the shoreline or roads curved through the wooded hills, the land now known as Holiday Island was part of the ancestral hunting territory of the Osage Nation. Their seasonal travels took them through what is now Carroll County, guided by rivers and ridges that still define the landscape today. As with much of the United States, westward expansion brought settlers into the region by the mid-1800s. In 1861, a man named Hugh Bandy established a homestead near a prominent bend in the White River. The area soon became known as Bandy’s Bend, and small-scale farming, fishing, and river trade shaped daily life in the years that followed.

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the broader region gained attention for its therapeutic springs and scenic retreats—particularly nearby Eureka Springs, which grew into a bustling resort town by the 1880s. Holiday Island remained largely undeveloped but appreciated for its views, clear waters, and wildlife. It wasn’t until the federal government completed the Table Rock Dam in 1958 that a major transformation began. The creation of Table Rock Lake turned this quiet bend in the river into part of a massive recreational lake system, sparking interest in the area’s tourism potential.

In the years that followed, visionaries saw opportunity. Developers planned a community where outdoor recreation met residential convenience—a place where retirees, vacationers, and families could enjoy life on the lake without giving up essential services. Roads were laid, lots were sold, and amenities began to take shape. Golf courses, a marina, and retail hubs slowly emerged. In 1970, the formation of the Holiday Island Suburban Improvement District (HISID) brought needed infrastructure and utility services to the growing community. While still unincorporated, Holiday Island functioned much like a town, governed by a board and supported by its own local tax base.

By 2020, Holiday Island had grown into a full-fledged community. With more than 2,500 residents and expanding services, the time had come for formal incorporation. On December 3, 2020, the community voted to become an official municipality. Just a few months later, on March 23, 2021, Holiday Island was designated as a City of the Second Class under Arkansas law. This classification granted the city greater autonomy in managing local governance, community planning, and long-term growth.

Today, Holiday Island is known for its laid-back lifestyle, outdoor recreation, and tight-knit sense of community. It is a place where visitors come to boat, golf, fish, and unwind—and where residents stay to enjoy peaceful surroundings, scenic views, and small-town charm. Though young in official terms, the city’s story is rich with transformation, resilience, and the enduring pull of the natural world. Holiday Island isn’t just a destination—it’s a living chapter in the greater story of the Ozarks.

“Holiday Island is a place where history meets hospitality. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a lifetime, you’re part of a story that’s still being written.”

-Ben Hall (Resident)