National Register of Historic Places listings in Faulkner County, Arkansas facts for kids
Faulkner County in Arkansas is home to many special places that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture. Think of it as a Hall of Fame for old and important places!
There are 64 amazing spots in Faulkner County that have made it onto this special list. Three places that were once on the list have since been removed.
Contents
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 like a special club for buildings, areas, and sites that tell important stories about our past. When a place is added to this list, it means it's recognized for its historical value. This can help protect it and sometimes even provide money for its care.
Discovering Faulkner County's Historic Treasures
Faulkner County has a rich history, and many of its historic places are in the city of Conway. Let's explore some of these cool spots!
University of Central Arkansas Buildings
The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) has several buildings on the list, including its Administration Building. This building, located at 201 Donaghey Avenue, was added in 2011. It's part of a larger group of places recognized for their connection to New Deal recovery efforts, which were programs created during the Great Depression to help the country. The entire University of Central Arkansas Historic District was also added in 2013, showing how important the whole campus is.
Old Homes and Farms
Many old houses and farms in Faulkner County are on the list because they show how people lived long ago or have special architectural styles.
The Blessing Farmstead
North of Barney, you'll find the Blessing Farmstead. This old farm was added to the list in 1990. It gives us a peek into what farm life was like in the past.
Brown House
In Conway, the Brown House at 1604 Caldwell Street is a historic home. It was listed in 1982 and is part of a collection of designs by a famous architect named Charles L. Thompson.
Crownover-Brown House
The Earl and Oza Crownover-Brown House in Damascus (133 S. Broadway) was added in 2006. It's another example of a historic home that tells a story about the people who lived there.
Silas Owens, Sr. Buildings
Several homes and buildings in the county are special because they were built by a unique craftsman named Silas Owens, Sr. These include the Castleberry-Harrington Historic District in Republican, the Church of Christ in Guy, and the Silas Owens Sr. House in Twin Groves. His buildings often have a special "mixed masonry" style, using different kinds of stone and brick.
Important Community Places
Beyond homes, other buildings that served the community are also recognized.
Faulkner County Courthouse and Jail
The Faulkner County Courthouse (801 Locust Street) and the old Faulkner County Jail (on Courthouse Square) in Conway are both on the list. The courthouse, added in 1995, is where important county decisions are made. The jail, added in 1978, shows us how law and order were handled in earlier times.
First United Methodist Church
The First United Methodist Church in Conway, located at the corner of Prince and Clifton Streets, was listed in 1992. Churches are often important community centers and examples of beautiful architecture.
Guy High School Gymnasium
The Guy High School Gymnasium and the Guy Home Economics Building in Guy were both added in 1992. These buildings are examples of public schools built in the Ozarks region.
Unique Historical Sites
Some places are important because of major historical events or unusual features.
Cadron Settlement
The Cadron Settlement in Conway (Highway 319W at Cadron Settlement Lane) is a very old and important site, listed in 1974. It was once a French and American settlement and is also part of the Trail of Tears, a sad time in history when Native Americans were forced to move from their lands.
Military Road-Cadron Segment
Another part of the Trail of Tears is the Military Road-Cadron Segment, near Conway. This old road, added in 2004, was a path used during this difficult period.
Century Flyer
The Century Flyer is a unique entry on the list! It's an amusement park train located at 150 E. Siebenmorgan Road in Conway. It was listed in 2010, showing that even fun, older items can be historically important.
Titan II Missile Site
The Titan II ICBM Launch Complex 374-5 Site near Springhill is a fascinating and more recent historical site. Added in 2000, it's a reminder of the Cold War era, when the United States and the Soviet Union had a tense standoff. This site was once a place where a powerful missile was kept.
Historic Districts
Sometimes, not just one building, but a whole area is considered historic because it has many important buildings together.
Conway Commercial Historic District
The Conway Commercial Historic District was added in 2010. This area, roughly bounded by Main, Harkrider, Spencer, and Locust Streets, shows what the downtown business area of Conway looked like in the past.
Robinson Historic District
Another important area is the Robinson Historic District in Conway, listed in 2001. This neighborhood has many historic homes and buildings that give us a sense of how the city grew.
Places No Longer on the List
Sometimes, places are removed from the National Register. This can happen if a building is torn down, or if it changes so much that it loses its historical importance.
- The First Baptist Church in Conway was listed in 1982 but removed in 2002.
- Main Hall, Central College in Conway was listed in 1975 but removed in 1986.
- The Joe and Nina Webb House in Conway was listed in 2005 but removed in 2012.
These places were once considered important, but for various reasons, they are no longer on the official list.