Van Buren Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Van Buren Historic District
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 Location in Arkansas
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main Street bounded by Cane Hill Street and the Arkansas River in Van Buren, Arkansas |
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| Area | 20 acres (8.1 ha) |
| Architectural style | Primarily Victorian, also Italianate, Queen Anne and Chicago school |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000402 |
| Added to NRHP | April 30, 1976 |
The Van Buren Historic District is a special area in Van Buren, Arkansas. It includes eight blocks of old buildings along Main Street. Many of these buildings were built before 1920. They show off beautiful styles like Victorian and Italianate. These buildings are important because they tell the story of how businesses grew in the city.
The district is located between the city's train station and the Arkansas River. This location was perfect for trade and business long ago. The shops and offices here have played a big part in Van Buren's history and economy. This historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 30, 1976. This means it's officially recognized as an important place to protect.
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Historic Buildings in Van Buren
The Crawford County Courthouse
The Crawford County Courthouse is a very old building. It was first built in 1842. It is the oldest courthouse still being used west of the Mississippi River. Imagine all the history inside its walls!
In 1876, a fire damaged the courthouse. But brave people rebuilt it using the original walls that survived. The building has tall columns, a three-story clock tower with a bell, and a classic front porch. There are also wings on the sides of the building.
On the courthouse grounds, you can find a fountain with a statue of Hebe, a Greek goddess. There's also a log schoolhouse from 1832. A famous person named Albert Pike once taught there. In front of the courthouse, you'll see a monument to Confederate soldiers.
The Confederate Monument
The Van Buren Confederate Monument is a statue that honors soldiers from the Civil War. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. This monument is part of a larger group of sculptures that remember the Civil War.
The Hebe Fountain
The Hebe fountain has a cool story! It was first put on the courthouse lawn in 1908 by a group called the Women's Village Improvement Society. The statue is of Hebe, who in Greek mythology is the goddess of youth and happiness.
Over time, the original iron statue got old and worn out. So, a local women's group in Van Buren raised money to replace it. In 2003, a new bronze statue was put in its place. The original iron statue was moved to the Crawford County Museum, where it is kept safe. The old steel cap around the fountain was also fixed and put back into use.
The Albert Pike Schoolhouse
The log schoolhouse on the courthouse grounds is one of the oldest buildings in Arkansas. It was built around 1820. A famous teacher named Albert Pike used this schoolhouse. He moved to western Arkansas in 1833 from the northeast.
Pike didn't teach there for long. He soon moved to Little Rock. There, he became involved in politics and law. He also worked for a newspaper called the Arkansas Gazette. Albert Pike became a well-known poet and writer. He also served as a general for the Confederate States of America during the Civil War. He was especially known for his role at the Battle of Pea Ridge.
After the war, Pike also helped the Freemasons by setting up their groups across the South. He was even offered an honorary degree from Harvard University, a school he had been accepted to but chose not to attend.
Images for kids
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Building formerly used by the Crawford County Bank, 2006
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Historic downtown, 2009
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Visitors Center, 2010
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The Anheuser-Busch Building, 2011
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Second Citizens Bank building, 2013
