Dinosaur World, Prehistoric theme park in Beaver, Arkansas.
Dinosaur World was a theme park in Beaver with around one hundred life-size sculptures of dinosaurs, cavemen, and prehistoric creatures scattered across natural outdoor grounds. The roughly 65-acre property let visitors walk through and explore these figures while learning about prehistoric times.
The park was founded in 1967 when Ola Farwell hired sculptor Emmet Sullivan to create the original dinosaur replicas. The project reflected a broader movement during that era toward building roadside attractions with sculptural art.
The dinosaur sculptures here appeared in several films, including the 1969 horror film 'It's Alive' and the 2005 drama 'Elizabethtown', which brought national attention to the place. This movie history made the sculptures recognizable to audiences far beyond Arkansas.
The grounds were large enough to explore for several hours, so visitors should wear comfortable shoes and plan plenty of time. The site was accessible in most weather, but sunscreen and water are important since shade was limited throughout.
The property featured a 40-foot-tall King Kong statue and the world's largest Noah's Ark mural, painted by local artist Will Johnson. These two artworks were widely known among visitors and made the park one of the most unusual attractions in the region.
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