National Register of Historic Places listings in Miller County, Arkansas facts for kids
Welcome to Miller County, Arkansas! This page is all about the cool, old places here that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are super important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its unique story and is often protected.
Miller County has 34 places on this important list. These spots help us learn about the past and understand how people lived long ago. You can even see where some of these places are on a map if their exact location is shared. Let's explore some of these amazing historic sites!
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 managed by the National Park Service in the United States. Being on the Register doesn't always stop a building from being changed or torn down. But it does show that the place is special. It also helps with getting grants or tax breaks for preserving it.
When a place is added to the Register, it means experts have studied it. They found it has a lot of historical value. This could be because of its age, its unique design, or important events that happened there. It might also be linked to famous people.
Historic Places in Miller County
Miller County is full of interesting spots that tell stories from the past. Many of these are old homes, but there are also churches, schools, and even parts of old roads. Each one has a piece of history to share.
Homes with History
Many of the places on the National Register in Miller County are historic homes. These houses show us how people lived in different times. They also show us the different styles of architecture that were popular.
The Ahern House
The Patrick J. Ahern House is located at 403 Laurel Street in Texarkana. It was added to the Register in 2005. This house is a great example of older homes in the area. It helps us imagine life in Texarkana many years ago.
The Bottoms House
Another interesting home is the Bottoms House, found at 500 Hickory Street in Texarkana. It joined the list in 1982. This house stands out with its unique design. It shows us the kind of homes built in the early 20th century.
The Dean House
The Dean House, at 1520 Beech Street in Texarkana, was listed in 1976. It's one of the older homes on the Register. Its architecture gives us clues about the past. It helps us understand the history of the neighborhood.
The Wadley House
The J.K. Wadley House, at 618 Pecan Street in Texarkana, was added in 1999. This house is a beautiful example of historic residential architecture. It adds to the rich history of the city's older neighborhoods.
Important Buildings and Districts
Beyond individual homes, Miller County also has historic districts and other important buildings. These places often served the whole community. They played a big role in the daily lives of people.
Beech Street Historic District
The Beech Street Historic District in Texarkana is a special area. It includes Beech Street between 14th and 23rd Streets. This district was listed in 2010. It's important because it shows how a neighborhood developed over time. The district also includes the Beech Street Brick Street, which was listed separately in 2007. Imagine walking on streets made of bricks!
Buhrman-Pharr Hardware Company Historic District
This district, located at 610 and 620 E 3rd Street in Texarkana, was added in 2004. It highlights old commercial buildings. These buildings were once busy places where people bought tools and supplies. They show us how businesses operated long ago.
Canaan Baptist Church
The Canaan Baptist Church is at the junction of Laurel and 10th Streets in Texarkana. It was listed in 1990. Churches are often central to a community's history. This church has been a gathering place for many years. It represents an important part of the city's social and cultural past.
Miller County Courthouse
The Miller County Courthouse, at 400 Laurel Street in Texarkana, joined the Register in 1998. Courthouses are very important buildings. They are where local government happens. This building has seen many important decisions and events in Miller County's history.
Texarkana Union Station
The Texarkana Union Station is a famous landmark. It's located at State Line and Front Street. It was listed in 1978. This train station was a busy hub for travelers and goods. It played a huge role in connecting Texarkana to other parts of the country. It's also unique because it sits right on the state line between Arkansas and Texas!
Texarkana US Post Office and Courthouse
This building, at 5th Street and State Line Avenue, was listed in 2000. Like the Union Station, it's special because it's on the state line. It served as both a post office and a courthouse. It shows how important these services were to the growing city.
Other Unique Historic Sites
Miller County also has some other interesting sites that aren't just buildings. These include old roads and even a cemetery.
Confederate Section-Old Rondo Cemetery
This section of the Old Rondo Cemetery, at 1612 Smith Road in Rondo, was listed in 2004. Cemeteries are important historical sites. They tell us about the people who lived in an area and the events they experienced. This section specifically honors those who fought in the American Civil War.
Old Arkansas 2-Mayton Segment
Parts of old roads can also be historic! This segment, made up of County Roads 122 and 123 in Garland, was listed in 2008. It's a piece of what was once Arkansas Highway 2. It shows us how transportation has changed over time.
Old US 67, Mandeville
Another old road segment, this one near Mandeville, was listed in 2004. It includes parts of Arkansas Highway 296 and County Road 138. This was once part of U.S. Route 67. These old road sections help us understand early travel and trade routes.
Former Listings
Sometimes, a place might be removed from the National Register. This can happen if it's torn down or changed so much that it loses its historic value. Here are a few places in Miller County that were once on the list but are no longer there:
- First Methodist Church: This church in Texarkana was listed in 1982 but delisted in 2002.
- Dr. J. A. Lightfoot House: This house in Texarkana was listed in 1995 but delisted in 2002.
- Red River Bridge: This bridge over the Red River near Garland was listed in 1990 but delisted in 1999. It was replaced by a new bridge.