National Register of Historic Places listings in Prairie County, Arkansas facts for kids
Welcome to Prairie County, Arkansas! This area is home to many amazing places that are super important to history. These special spots are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a Hall of Fame for buildings, sites, and objects that tell us cool stories about the past. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its history, architecture, or how it helped shape the community. It also helps protect these places so they can be enjoyed and learned from for many years to come!
In Prairie County, there are 15 places currently on this important list. A few others were once listed but have since been removed. Let's explore some of these fascinating historic sites!
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Historic Buildings and Sites in Prairie County
Here are some of the cool historic places you can find in Prairie County:
Des Arc Historic Spots
- American Legion Hut-Des Arc: This building, located at 206 Erwin Street, was added to the list in 1995. It's a special meeting place for the American Legion, a group of military veterans.
- Bethel House: You can find this historic house at Erwin and 2nd Streets. It became a protected site in 1982.
- Bedford Brown Bethell House: Another historic home, this one is at 2nd and Curran Streets. It joined the National Register in 1978.
- First Presbyterian Church: This beautiful church, located at the corner of Main and 5th Streets, was added to the list in 1990. Churches often have interesting stories about the community's early days.
- Frith-Plunkett House: This house, found at 8th and Main Streets, was recognized in 1982.
- Oak Grove Cemetery: Cemeteries can be historic too! This one, on 7th Street, was listed in 2001. It holds the stories of many people who lived in Des Arc long ago.
- Prairie County Courthouse (Des Arc): This courthouse on Main Street was added to the list in 1977. Courthouses are often central to a town's history, where important decisions were made.
De Valls Bluff's Historic Gems
- Castleberry Hotel: Located at 61 Main Street, this hotel was built in 1925. It's a great example of the "Craftsman style" of architecture, which was popular for its simple, handcrafted look. It joined the list in 2007.
- De Valls Bluff Waterworks: This important building, at the junction of Hazel and Rumbaugh Streets, was built in 1936. It was part of the Public Works Administration (PWA), a government program during the Great Depression that created jobs by building public projects like water systems. It was listed in 2007.
- Prairie County Courthouse (De Valls Bluff): This courthouse, at the junction of Magnolia and Prairie Streets, was built in 1939. What's cool is that it used materials from an older 1910 building! It was also a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project, another program that helped people find work during tough times. It was listed in 1995.
- St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church: You can find this church at the corner of Sycamore and Mason Streets. It was added to the National Register in 2009.
Hazen's Historic Sites
- Kocourek and Son Hardware: This old hardware store, at 110 E. North Front Street, became a historic site in 2015. Imagine all the tools and supplies sold there over the years!
- Rock Island Depot: Located on U.S. Route 70, this train station was listed in 1987. Train depots were once bustling centers of activity, connecting towns and people.
Roe's Historic Place
- Wingmead: This property is located on the west side of AR 33, about half a mile south of Eason Road. It was added to the National Register in 2011.
Places No Longer on the List
Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the National Register. This can happen if the building is changed too much, or if it is unfortunately torn down. Here are a few places in Prairie County that were once on the list:
- Barrett-Rogers Building: This building in Hazen was listed in 1998 but removed in 2009.
- DeValls Bluff First Baptist Church: This church was listed in 1992 and removed in 1999.
- White River Bridge at DeValls Bluff: This bridge, which carried U.S. Route 70 over the White River, was listed in 1990 but removed in 2005.
