Murphy–Hill Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Murphy–Hill Historic District
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| Location | Roughly bounded by E. 5th St., N. Jefferson St., E. Peach St., N. Madison St., and E. Faulkner St., El Dorado, Arkansas |
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| Area | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| Built | 1880 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000974 |
| Added to NRHP | September 20, 2007 |
The Murphy–Hill Historic District is a special part of El Dorado, Arkansas. It's where some of the city's oldest homes are located. This area is just north of the main downtown section. It covers about 40 acres and has 76 houses. It's like a living museum that shows how El Dorado grew over time.
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Discovering the Historic Murphy–Hill District
This historic area is bordered by East 5th Street to the north and North Jefferson and North Jackson Avenues to the west. To the east, you'll find North Madison Avenue. South of the district are East Peach and East Oak Streets. It's a great place to see different styles of homes from the past.
Homes from the Early Days
Six of the houses in this district were built before the year 1900. One of the very first buildings in El Dorado, the John Newton House, is here. Imagine living in a house built so long ago!
Another amazing home from this early period is at 326 Church Street. It's a beautiful example of the Queen Anne Victorian style. These homes often have fancy details, towers, and decorative porches.
The Oil Boom and New Styles
Before 1921, when oil was discovered in El Dorado, there were only a few houses here. These older homes usually had a simple, traditional look. Some of them even had early Craftsman style details.
The discovery of oil in 1921 changed everything! El Dorado experienced a huge building boom. Many new homes were built in the Murphy–Hill district until about 1940. Most of these new houses were built in the popular Craftsman style.
What is Craftsman Style?
Craftsman homes often have low-pitched roofs with long overhangs. You might see the ends of the roof rafters showing. Their porches are usually supported by strong pillars. These pillars often sit on stone or brick bases. Most Craftsman homes in this district are one story tall, but some have two or even two-and-a-half stories.
Unique Buildings and Apartment Homes
The district also has some unique multi-unit apartment buildings and other special houses. Along North Madison Street, you can see homes built in different Revival styles. These styles bring back looks from earlier times.
One famous house here is the Charles H. Murphy Sr. House. It's a separately listed historic home. It was designed in the English Revival style. You can also find two houses (at 711 North Madison and 528 North Jefferson) built in the Spanish Revival or Mission style. These often have stucco walls and red tile roofs.
There are three apartment buildings in the district:
- A Mission-style building at 711 North Jefferson.
- A Craftsman-style building at 701 North Jefferson.
- The El Dorado Apartments at 420 Wilson Place, which are in the Classical Revival style.
A Recognized Historic Place
The Murphy–Hill Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. This means it's officially recognized as an important part of history. It shows how the city of El Dorado developed between 1880 and 1957. It's a great place to learn about the past through its buildings!
