kids encyclopedia robot

National Register of Historic Places listings in Craighead County, Arkansas facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Map of Arkansas highlighting Craighead County
Location of Craighead County in Arkansas

This article is about the cool historic places in Craighead County, Arkansas, that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized as a valuable part of our past and should be protected.

Craighead County is in Arkansas, United States. There are 23 special places in the county that have made it onto this important list. Some of these places are buildings, some are bridges, and one is even a gravesite! You can see where many of these places are located on a map if their exact coordinates are shared.

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places worth saving. It's managed by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. government. Being on this list helps people understand and appreciate the history around them. It also encourages communities to preserve these important sites for future generations.

When a place is added to the National Register, it means it has a special story to tell. It might be a very old building, a place where an important event happened, or a site that shows how people lived a long time ago.

Historic Places in Craighead County

Craighead County has many interesting places that tell us about its past. Let's explore some of them!

Important Buildings and Homes

Many of the places on the list are historic buildings, including homes, banks, and community centers. These structures often show us how people lived and worked in different eras.

The Bell House: A Glimpse into the Past

The Bell House is located at 303 West Cherry Street in Jonesboro. It was added to the National Register in 1976. This house is a great example of the architecture from its time. It helps us imagine what life was like in Jonesboro many years ago.

Jonesboro AR historic Bell House 303 Cherry St
The historic Bell House in Jonesboro.

Berger House and Berger-Graham House

The Berger House (1120 South Main Street) and the Berger-Graham House (1327 South Main Street) are also in Jonesboro. The Berger House was listed in 1996, and the Berger-Graham House in 1985. These homes are important because they show the architectural styles and living arrangements of families in the past.

Jonesboro, AR 009
The Berger House in Jonesboro.

Community Center No. 1

The Community Center No. 1 at 1212 South Church Street in Jonesboro was added to the list in 2008. Community centers are often places where people gather, learn, and connect. This building likely played an important role in the social life of the community.

Jonesboro, AR 007
Community Center No. 1 in Jonesboro.

Craighead County Courthouse

The Craighead County Courthouse is a very important building located at 511 Main Street in Jonesboro. It was listed in 1998. Courthouses are central to local government and justice. This building has seen many important decisions and events in the county's history.

Court house Jonesboro AR 2012-08-26 005
The Craighead County Courthouse.

Frierson House

The Frierson House at 1112 South Main Street in Jonesboro was added to the National Register in 1973. Like other historic homes, it helps us understand the architectural styles and daily lives of people from earlier times.

Jonesboro, AR 010
The Frierson House.

Mercantile Bank Building

The Mercantile Bank Building at 249 South Main Street in Jonesboro was listed in 2005. Banks are important for the economic history of a town. This building shows the kind of architecture used for financial institutions in the past.

Downtown Jonesboro AR 015
The Mercantile Bank Building.

Edward L. Westbrooke Building

The Edward L. Westbrooke Building at 505 Union Street in Jonesboro was added in 2003. This building is another example of the commercial and architectural history of the area.

Jonesboro, AR 014
The Edward L. Westbrooke Building.

Historic Figures and Sites

Some places are important because of the people connected to them.

US Senator Hattie Caraway Gravesite

The US Senator Hattie Caraway Gravesite is located in Oaklawn Cemetery in Jonesboro. It was listed in 2007. Hattie Caraway was an amazing person because she was the first woman elected to a full term in the United States Senate. This means she was the first woman to serve a complete six-year term as a senator for a state. Her gravesite is a reminder of her important role in American history and women's rights.

Oaklawn Cemetery Jonesboro AR 012
The gravesite of US Senator Hattie Caraway.

Bridges and Other Structures

Not all historic places are buildings. Some are structures like bridges or even water towers!

Craighead County Road 513C Bridge

The Craighead County Road 513C Bridge is located near Dixie. It was listed in 1995. Bridges are important for transportation and often show interesting engineering techniques from the past.

First National Bank Building (Monette)

The First National Bank Building at 207 West Drew Avenue in Monette was added to the list in 2008. This building is now home to the Buffalo Island Museum. It's a great example of how old buildings can be given new life while still preserving their history.

Buffalo Island Museum Monette AR 002
The First National Bank Building in Monette, now the Buffalo Island Museum.

Monette Water Tower

The Monette Water Tower was listed in 2008. It's located at the corner of Highway 139 and Texie Avenue in Monette. Water towers are often landmarks in small towns and are important for providing water to the community.

Monette AR 010
The Monette Water Tower.

St. Francis River Bridge

The St. Francis River Bridge near Lake City was listed in 1990. This bridge carried Highway 18 over the St. Francis River. Although most of it was taken down in 1998, the vertical lift section (the part that could be raised to let boats pass) still remains. This shows a unique type of bridge engineering.

St. Francis River Bridge, Lake City
The St. Francis River Bridge near Lake City.

Historic Districts

Sometimes, a whole area or group of buildings is considered historic. This is called a historic district.

West Washington Avenue Historic District

The West Washington Avenue Historic District in Jonesboro was added to the National Register in 1982. This district includes buildings from 500 to 626 West Washington Avenue. Historic districts are important because they preserve the overall look and feel of a neighborhood from a specific time period.

Jonesboro AR West Washington Ave Historic District
Part of the West Washington Avenue Historic District.

Images for kids

kids search engine
National Register of Historic Places listings in Craighead County, Arkansas Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.