The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program added nine new properties to the National Register of Historic Places in January.
“It’s always an honor to have Arkansas properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places,” said Ralph Wilcox, national register and survey coordinator and deputy state historic preservation officer for the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. “The National Park Service’s recognition of these properties’ significance illustrates the fact that Arkansas has a rich and diverse history.”
The Arkansas properties added to the National Register of Historic Places include:
Highway A-2 Bridges in Curtis, Clark County – The Highway A-2 Bridges include two small cast-concrete bridges that were built c.1920 as part of Highway A-2, the main highway south of Arkadelphia prior to the construction of U.S. 67.
Robert E. Lee School in Hot Springs, Garland County – The Robert E. Lee School was built in 1950 and designed by noted Arkansas architect Irven Granger McDaniel in the International style of architecture. It was used as a school until 1972 and eventually became the studio and home of French sculptor Jeanfo.
College Street Bridge in the Coal Hill vicinity, Johnson County – Built c.1925, the College Street Bridge is an example of a concrete through-girder bridge, and it was built to carry Highway A-1, the main highway in the area prior to U.S. 64, across a small creek west of Coal Hill.
Emrich and Beley Cotton Gin in Tyronza, Poinsett County – The Emrich and Beley Cotton Gin was built in 1936 and was an important part of the agricultural economy in Tyronza and Poinsett County until 1993 by providing ginning services to the cotton farmers in the Tyronza area.
Roosevelt Road Bridge in Little Rock, Pulaski County – Built in 1935 as part of a project to route highway traffic around downtown Little Rock, the Roosevelt Road Bridge is a good example of a Reinforced Concrete Deck Girder Bridge that shows Classical and Art Deco influences.
Highway A-1, Forrest City Segment, in Forrest City, St. Francis County – The Highway A-1, Forrest City Segment, is a 3.85-mile long section of the former alignment of Highway A-1 west of Forrest City. The highway segment also includes eight small concrete bridges that were built to span drainage ditches in the area.
Emon and Mabel Mahony House in El Dorado, Union County – The Mahony House is a large Colonial-Revival-style house built in 1950-1951 and designed by Charles Carter of the architectural firm of Ginocchio & Cromwell. In addition to the house, the property includes a Colonial-Revival-style formal garden showing influences of Arkansas landscape architect Neil Hamill Park.
YWCA Building in El Dorado, Union County – The YWCA Building in El Dorado, built in 1938, is significant for its associations with the work of the YWCA to improve the lives of young girls in El Dorado, some of whom had come to El Dorado as a result of the South Arkansas oil boom.
Harris Creek Bridge in the Dardanelle vicinity, Yell County – The Harris Creek Bridge, built in 1912 as part of the “Hot Springs Road,” is an early example of a closed spandrel deck arch bridge in Yell County. The bridge also carried Highway B-14 over Harris Creek until the current route of Arkansas Highway 7 was built c.1930.
More details about the National Register of Historic Places can be found at arkansasheritage.com/arkansas-preservation/properties/national-registry.