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

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Map of Arkansas highlighting Phillips County
Location of Phillips County in Arkansas

Phillips County, Arkansas, is home to many special places! These places are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a national list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its historical value and efforts are made to protect it. Phillips County has 56 such places, including two extra-special ones called National Historic Landmarks!

Contents: Counties in Arkansas

Exploring Phillips County's Historic Treasures

Phillips County has many fascinating historic sites. These places tell stories about the past, from important battles to everyday life. Let's explore some of these amazing locations!

Historic Homes and Buildings

Many beautiful and important homes are listed in Phillips County. These houses show us how people lived long ago and the different styles of architecture they used.

Grand Old Houses of Helena-West Helena

  • The Allin House at 515 Columbia Street in Helena-West Helena was built in 1873. It's a great example of the homes from that time.
  • The Altman House (1202 Perry St.) and the Coolidge House (820 Perry St.) are other beautiful homes that show the rich history of the area.
  • The Estevan Hall (653 S. Biscoe St.) is a grand old building listed in 1974.
  • The Jerome Bonaparte Pillow House (718 Perry St.) is a very old and important house, listed way back in 1973. It stands as a reminder of the past.
  • The Moore-Hornor House (323 Beech St.) and the James C. Tappan House (717 Poplar St.) are also significant homes that have been preserved.
  • The William Nicholas Straub House (531 Perry St.) and the William A. Short House (317 Biscoe St.) are more examples of the historic homes that make up Phillips County's heritage.

Important Public Buildings

  • The Federal Building-United States Post Office and Court House (617 Walnut St.) in Helena is a key building. It has served as a post office and courthouse for many years.
  • The Helena Library and Museum (623 Peach St.) is another important public building. It has been a center for learning and culture since 1975.
  • The Helena National Guard Armory (511 Miller St.) was listed in 2007. It's a place where the National Guard trains and prepares.
  • The Phillips County Courthouse (622 Cherry St.) is where local government business happens. It was recognized for its history in 1977.

Battle Sites and Cemeteries

Phillips County played a role in the American Civil War. Several sites from the Battle of Helena are preserved.

Civil War Battlefields

  • Battery A Site, Battery B Site, Battery C Site, and Battery D are all locations from the Battle of Helena. These sites are important because they show where soldiers fought during the Civil War. They help us understand the history of that time.

Historic Cemeteries

  • The Helena Confederate Cemetery is a special part of Maple Hill Cemetery. It's where soldiers who fought for the Confederacy are buried. It was listed in 1996.
  • The wider Maple Hill Cemetery itself (N. Holly St.) is also a historic district. It's a peaceful place with many old gravestones that tell stories of the people who lived in the area.

Unique Landmarks and Districts

Some places are special because of their unique history or because they are part of a larger historic area.

National Historic Landmarks

  • The Centennial Baptist Church (York and Columbia Sts.) is one of the two National Historic Landmarks in Phillips County. This means it's considered one of the most important historic places in the entire country! It was recognized in 1987.
  • The Louisiana Purchase Survey Marker is the other National Historic Landmark. It's southeast of Blackton and marks the starting point for surveying the land bought in the Louisiana Purchase. This was a huge land deal for the United States in 1803! It was listed in 1972 and even extends into nearby Lee and Monroe counties.

Historic Districts

  • The Beech Street Historic District and the Cherry Street Historic District in Helena-West Helena are areas with many historic buildings. Walking through these districts is like stepping back in time!
  • The Perry Street Historic District is another important area with many historic buildings.
  • The Phillips County Penal Farm Historic District near Poplar Grove tells the story of how the county used to manage its prison system.
  • The Turner Historic District near Cypert is another area recognized for its historical significance.

Other Interesting Sites

  • The Almer Store (824 Columbia St.) is an old store building that gives us a glimpse into local commerce from the past.
  • The First Baptist Church in Marvell (Junction of Pine and Carruth Sts.) is a beautiful church building with a long history.
  • The Henry and Cornelia Ford Farm near Lexa is a historic farm that shows us about agriculture in the region.
  • The Little Cypress Creek Bridge and Warrens Bridge are old bridges that are important examples of early engineering.
  • The Spirit of the American Doughboy Monument-Helena (Junction of Cherry and Perry Sts.) is a statue honoring soldiers from World War I.

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