MOUNTAIN HOME — The Baxter County Historical Society is gearing up for a Halloween celebration at the historic Casey House. Trick or Treat at the Casey House will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 8 p.m. on the northeast corner of the Baxter County Fairgrounds at Wade Street and Arena Drive. The event is free, and candy will be provided to attendees. Parking is available along Wade Street.
The 1858 dog-trot cabin, located in Mountain Home, is the city’s oldest house and is steeped in history. Built by Col. Randolph Casey two years before the Civil War, the structure once served as Baxter County’s first court and Mountain Home’s first post office. In 1975, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
This year’s event includes new features, such as a 6-foot witch, a bubbling cauldron, 30 inflatables, and several creatively posed skeletons, including a set warming their feet by the fire in the property’s graveyard. Volunteers with the Historical Society have been working for weeks to expand on last year’s decorations to ensure a fun and lively atmosphere.
For the first time, visitors will also be allowed to explore the back porch and backyard of the cabin. The society recently reconstructed the back porch using period-accurate white oak boards, funded by their All A-Board campaign, which invited donors to sponsor planks at $150 each. While the porch was off-limits during last year’s Halloween event, it is now fully restored, safe for visitors, and decorated for the occasion.
The restoration of the Casey House has been an ongoing effort for several years. In addition to the back porch, the Historical Society has already replaced the cedar shingle roof, rebuilt the front porch, and refurbished the interior floors and wallpaper.
Organizers emphasized that the Halloween display is designed to entertain visitors without being overly frightening, making it suitable for all ages. The society decided to offer the event on one evening this year, rather than two, as it did in previous years.
Donations for the continued restoration efforts are welcome and can be sent to the Baxter County Historical Society at P.O. Box 2125, Mountain Home, AR 72654. Contributions can also be dropped off in person at the Baxter County Historical Museum at 300 Bomber Boulevard, which is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional details, visit BaxterCountyHistory.org or call 870-425-2551.