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

Location of Madison County in Arkansas

Welcome to Madison County, Arkansas! Did you know that some of its oldest and most special buildings are protected? This article will tell you all about the amazing places in Madison County that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The National Register of Historic Places is like a special list kept by the United States government. It helps to find and protect important buildings, sites, and objects across the country. These places are chosen because they have a lot of history, beautiful architecture, or are important to local culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized as a valuable part of America's past.

In Madison County, there are 11 places that have earned a spot on this important list. Let's explore some of them!

Historic Treasures of Madison County

Bank of Kingston: A Classic Building

The historic Bank of Kingston building.

The Bank of Kingston is a cool old building located right on Public Square in Kingston, Arkansas. It was built in 1911 and is a great example of early 20th-century architecture. Imagine what it was like to visit this bank over a hundred years ago! It's a reminder of how towns like Kingston grew and changed over time.

Bunch Store: A Glimpse into the Past

The old Bunch Store in Kingston.

Also in Kingston, you'll find the Bunch Store. This wooden building was built even earlier, in 1890! It's a "wood frame commercial structure," which means it was made of wood and used for business. Think about all the things that were sold here and the people who shopped at this store more than 130 years ago. It really shows us what old-time shops looked like.

Cannon Creek Bridge: A Bridge Through Time

The unique Cannon Creek Bridge.

Driving on County Road 5340, you might cross the Cannon Creek Bridge. This bridge was built in 1929 and has a cool curved concrete design. It was once part of Arkansas Highway 16. Bridges like this are important because they show us how people traveled and built roads in the past.

Enterprise School: Learning in History

The Enterprise School building.

Southeast of the junction of County Roads 8 and 192, near Thorney, Arkansas, stands the Enterprise School. This school was built in 1935. It has special architectural details from the Craftsman and Colonial Revival styles, which were popular back then. It's amazing to think about all the students who learned and played here decades ago.

Huntsville Commercial Historic District: A Busy Downtown

Downtown Huntsville, part of the historic district.

The heart of Huntsville, Arkansas is its Commercial Historic District. This area includes streets like War Eagle, Hughes, Church, and Harris. It's the historic center where people did business and gathered. Walking through this district is like stepping back in time to see how Huntsville's downtown used to look and feel.

Madison County Courthouse: A Place of Justice

The Madison County Courthouse.

Right on Main Street in Huntsville is the Madison County Courthouse. This important building was built in 1939. It has a "restrained Art Deco" style, which means it's simple but elegant, showing off the popular designs of that era. Courthouses are where important decisions are made and laws are upheld, making this building a key part of the county's history.

Pettigrew School: A Rural Schoolhouse

The Pettigrew School building.

North of Arkansas Highway 16, in Pettigrew, Arkansas, you'll find the Pettigrew School. This wooden schoolhouse was built in 1915. Many small towns had schools like this, where children from the community would gather to learn. It's a great example of a traditional rural school building.

St. Paul School Building: Built for the Community

The St. Paul School building.

In St. Paul, Arkansas, at 200 West 4th Street, is the St. Paul School Building. This school was built in 1939 as part of the WPA program. The WPA was a government program during the Great Depression that helped build many public buildings, including schools, creating jobs and improving communities.

War Eagle Creek Bridge: Crossing the Waters

The War Eagle Creek Bridge.

The War Eagle Creek Bridge is located on County Road 53, crossing over War Eagle Creek near Old Alabam, Arkansas. This concrete arch bridge was built in 1925. It's a beautiful example of early 20th-century bridge design and has helped people cross the creek for almost a hundred years!

Williams House and Associated Farmstead: A Historic Home

The historic Williams House.

Off Arkansas Highway 23 near St. Paul, Arkansas, you can find the Williams House and Associated Farmstead. This property includes a log cabin built in 1935 from hand-hewn logs, meaning the logs were shaped by hand! There are also other buildings from 1922. This farmstead gives us a look into how families lived and worked on farms in the past.

A Former Listing: Alabam School

Sometimes, a building might be removed from the National Register if it changes too much or is no longer there. The Alabam School, located south of Alabam near the junction of U.S. Highway 412 and Arkansas Highway 127, was once on the list. This building, built in 1925, served as both a church and a school. It was listed in 1976 but was later removed from the list in 2000.