Poinsett Historic districts added to national register

Three Poinsett County downtown areas were added to the National Register of Historic places last week. The prestigious list is the country's official directory of historically significant properties.

The announcement came from Frances McSwain, Arkansas Historic Preservation program director.

The Harrisburg Commercial Historic District, Marked Tree Commercial Historic District and Lepanto Historic District were all named ot the list.

The Harrisburg Commercial Historic District, bounded roughly by Jackson, Water, South and Gould streets, features buildings dating to 1888.

The 33 buildings within the Harrisburg Commercial Historic District are located within a two block radius of the town square where the Poinsett County Courthouse is located.

The first phase of construction in the district was between 1888 and 1919. This period reflects the years that Harrisburg was a lumber town with many sawmills, as well as establishing itself as a farming town. The second period of construction includes buildings built between 1920 and 1939. This period reflects a time when Harrisburg saw a growth in agriculture and a decline in lumber. Cotton and rice became the two main crops during this time.

The last period of development in Harrisburg includes buildings built between 1940 and 1959. This period has the smallest number of buildings and represents a period of steady growth.

The Marked Tree Commercial Historic District, which is located on Elm Street between Liberty and Frisco streets and Frisco Street between Elm and Nathan streets, includes buildings dating to 1910.

The buildings within the district are represented in two phases of development for the town of Marked Tree that occurred between 1910-1937. No buildings were built within the district after 1937. The Marked Tree Commercial Historic District's buildings represent standard commercial architecture from the early 20th century."

Lepanto Commercial Historic District at Lepanto in Poinsett County, featuring buildings dating to 1915. The Lepanto Commercial Historic District still has many businesses open in the historic district with only 12 buildings vacant.

Many of the alterations on the buildings are minor with only storefronts changing, although a few structures have had roofs replaced or a front façade rebricked. The lack of alterations on the structures in the Lepanto Commercial Historic District has helped a great deal in preserving the architectural integrity and continuity of the district.

For more information on the National Register of Historic Places program, call the agency at (501) 324-9880 visit the AHPP's Internet website at www.arkansaspreservation.org.

The AHPP is the Department of Arkansas Heritage agency responsible for identifying, evaluating, registering and preserving the state's cultural resources. Other agencies are the Arkansas Arts Council, the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, the Old State House Museum, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center and the Historic Arkansas Museum.