It was a fantasy land. A fantasy described in Al Capp's famous comic strip, "Lil Abner." Fantasy met reality in the hills of Arkansas at Dogpatch. The park opened in 1968.

Nancy Atkinson of the Newton County Chamber of Commerce describes the park as, A fun place for people to go to. It was very family oriented. And kids would have, just a great time."

What was once designed to look like a community of ramshackle hillbilly shacks, still looks like a community of ramshackle hillbilly shacks. Like many of the residents of the comic strip, Dogpatch park fell on hard times. It closed in 1993, after years of financial struggles.

Atkinson says, Whenever it did finally close, it was almost like it was a relief. It got to where it was embarrassing."

Although it's seen better days, Dogpatch lives on in the memories of many Arkansans, particularly those who visited the park as children. Kathryn Bartkowski recalls, I remember, I used to ride on the rides, and on the waterslide, and walk around with my parents, when I was a little kid. It was gorgeous, the fishing pond down there. The fishing and everything was free." Now, Bartkowski lives near the old Dogpatch site. She hopes for better times once again. She says, I would like to see someone redo it again. It would be good for the kids, around here." Bartkowski is not alone. For years, many in north central Arkansas hoped for new life for Dogpatch.

The for sale sign offers hope. Realtor Sandy Cope of Missouri says there is some serious interest in buying the property. That's good news for Atkinson. She says, It would benefit this entire area. With the jobs that it would provide and the income, you know."

While the future of Dogpatch remains up in the air, neighboring land that used to be the Marble Falls Resort is already being redeveloped.

Bob Richards and Randal Phillips are motorcyclists on a mission. They bought much of what used to be Marble Falls. Their property includes a motel, restaurant, ice rink, and a convention center that seats 1,700 people. They call it "The Hub."

Richards says, Actually, our vision for The Hub is a place where motorcyclists from across the country can come and relax, enjoy the Ozark Mountains. Use it as a base to go out and tour some of the most fantastic roads that are in the country."

It's a dream that started 15 years ago for Richards. He says, My wife and I were living in Hawaii. I had a dream one night that we were moving to Arkansas. And it had to do with something on a hill. I saw myself on the hill and it had to do with something on a hill."

Now, he and Phillips are turning that dream into a reality. Richards says, "At one time, Marble Falls was the jewel of Arkansas. We'd like to bring that back."

Phillips says, When you get a bunch of bikes up in a place like this, and the sound of them. It's just, well, it's rolling thunder and it's beautiful. It really is. And we've got, we've got enough room for a lot of bikes."

The Hub is not counting on a redeveloped Dogpatch for its future. But, many people hope Dogpatch will return to its glory of yesteryear.

As Atkinson tells the story, We still have people today that come through and say, Oh, I wish Dogpatch was still open. You know, I went there whenever I was a kid. Or My, I took my kids there whenever they were young. And I sure do wish I could take my grandkids or my great-grandkids. Cause it was such a fun place to go.'

Those fond memories of a fun place, now fallen silent.