January 25, 1969

New York native Irene Castle died at the Eureka Springs Municipal Hospital. Castle was a famous ballroom dancer in the 1910s to the 1930s who appeared in several silent movies and many Broadway shows. She lived in Eureka Springs (Carroll County) for a time and worked for animal rights. In her autobiography, she wrote that she was remembered more for her work to prevent animal cruelty than for her dance career.