Brumfield family impacted tourism and aquaculture industry of Northwest Arkansdas in early 2oth centrury

In Johnson--a small town tucked in between the cities of Fayetteville and Springdale in Washington County --the Brumfield family built a life of innovation through springs, trout, and hospitality.

At the heart of this story are Roy Leroy Brumfield, his father, Thomas Jefferson Brumfield, and grandfather, Jasper Newton Brumfield, whose entrepreneurial spirit and deep connection to the land helped shape the town’s identity.

Jasper Newton Brumfield, born November 24, 1837, in Illinois, was a resilient patriarch whose perseverance laid the foundation for his descendants’ ambitions.

A Civil War veteran, Jasper served as a teamster in the Confederate Army’s Co. B, Hawthorn’s Regiment, Arkansas Infantry, from 1862 to 1865.

After the war, he settled in Warren, Arkansas, before moving to Eureka Springs by 1890, where he joined the John G. Fletcher United Confederate Veterans camp in Berryville. Despite being denied a Confederate pension until 1902, Jasper remained steadfast, supporting his family through challenging times.

He passed away in 1912 and was buried in Eureka Springs’ IOOF Cemetery.

His son, Thomas Jefferson Brumfield, born in 1866, inherited his father’s determination and instilled it in his own son, Roy.

Roy Leroy Brumfield, born June 20, 1896, in Carroll County, grew up in Fayetteville under Thomas’s guidance, learning the values of hard work and business acumen.

Thomas, a respected businessman, passed away in 1939 and was laid to rest at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville.

Among their many ventures, the father and son partnered in operating the Mountain Inn in Johnson. Though sparsely documented, the establishment accommodated travelers passing through the town, which had been connected by the Frisco railroad since 1881 and tourists from throughout the region.

Johnson was also home to the historic Johnson Mill, built in 1865 by Jacob Queener Johnson. Powered by local springs, the mill supported the area’s strawberry growers and lime industry, providing a foundation for Roy’s vision.

Brumfield family impacted tourism and brumfield

A gasoline spill in 1971 contaminated the spring’s underground stream, wiping out the trout stock and ending the farm’s operations. The site was later repurposed for Zero Mountain’s cold storage facilities, which became a major employer in Johnson after its establishment in 1955.

The Mountain Inn, co-owned by Roy and Thomas, complemented the trout farm by offering lodging for visitors drawn to the area’s natural springs and growing tourism industry.

Roy’s wife, Kay Prichard Brumfield (1909–1993), was a steadfast partner in his entrepreneurial pursuits, sharing a life deeply rooted in Washington County. Roy passed away on March 28, 1979, and was laid to rest at Fairview Memorial Gardens.

The Brumfields’ ventures helped diversify Johnson’s economy, which had historically relied on milling and agriculture. Roy’s work at the Ozark Trout Farm played a pivotal role in Arkansas’s emerging aquaculture industry.

By 2025, Arkansas had become a leader in U.S. baitfish production, generating $29.2 million in sales.

Their efforts also contributed to Washington County’s and Northwest Arkansas tourism, which today boasts attractions like the Crystal Bridges Museum.

From Jasper’s wartime resilience to Thomas and Roy’s entrepreneurial spirit, the Brumfield family harnessed Johnson’s springs to create a lasting ripple in the Ozarks.