Headquarters House (Fayetteville, Arkansas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Headquarters House
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Headquarters House, August 2011
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 Location in Arkansas
Location in the United States
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| Location | 118 E. Dickson St., Fayetteville, Arkansas |
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| Area | 0.8 acres (0.32 ha) |
| Built | 1850 |
| Built by | Jonas Tebbetts |
| Architect | George Baker |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000129 |
| Added to NRHP | June 24, 1971 |
The Headquarters House, also known as the Colonel Tebbetts place, is a historic house museum located at 118 East Dickson Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Built in 1850, this house played an important role during the American Civil War. It served as a main base for both the Union and Confederate armies. The house was even attacked by Confederate troops while Union soldiers were using it. Today, it is a museum, donated to the Washington County Historical Society in 1967. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
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The Story of Headquarters House
This beautiful house was built by Judge Jonas Tebbetts and his wife. It was finished around 1853 and designed in the Greek Revival style. This style was popular for its grand, classical look.
Even though many people in Fayetteville supported the South, Judge Tebbetts openly supported the Union. Because of his views, he was arrested in March 1862. Confederate General Benjamin McCulloch took him to Fort Smith. Judge Tebbetts was set free after General McCulloch died during the Battle of Pea Ridge.
After his release, Tebbetts returned to Fayetteville. He soon learned that there was a reward offered for his capture. To stay safe, he and his family quickly moved to Missouri. They never lived in their beloved home again. After the Tebbetts family left, the Union Army took over the house. They used it as their main headquarters in the area.
A Battle at the House: The Action at Fayetteville
The Headquarters House became the main target of a Confederate attack on April 18, 1863. Union forces were using the house as their central base for operations in northwest Arkansas. The Confederate plan was to capture the Headquarters House. If they succeeded, they hoped to drive the Union army out of northwest Arkansas completely.
The attack began at 6:00 AM in east Fayetteville. Confederate soldiers started firing, while their artillery moved up East Mountain. From there, cannons fired shells into the city. One cannonball hit the front door of the Headquarters House. The house suffered a lot of damage during the battle.
Later that morning, the Union soldiers fought back hard. They began to push the Confederates out of Fayetteville. The Confederates made a desperate charge up Dickson Street. However, they finally realized they could not take the Headquarters House and decided to retreat. The original front door, with the cannonball hole, is still on display at the museum today.
House Design: Greek Revival Style
The Headquarters House shows many features of the Greek Revival style. For example, the porch has fluted columns. These columns have vertical grooves, which is a common design. The eaves, which are the edges of the roof, are decorated with dentil trim. Dentils are small, tooth-like blocks often found in classical buildings. Even the fireplace in the parlor room shows the typical look of Greek Revival design.
See also
- Action at Fayetteville
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Arkansas
