Downtown historic district nominated

The State Review Board of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program nominated 22 properties in 15 Arkansas counties, including the Piggott Commercial Historic District, to the National Register of Historic Places at its meeting Aug. 5.

The Piggott Commercial Historic District is in the downtown area and is located along the railroad line that runs through the heart of the city.

"Buildings in the district constructed in the 1920's continued to be simple brick commercial structures decorated by variations of brick patterns and cast concrete details," the nomination noted. "The majority of the buildings in the district are of brick construction and represent typical early to mid 20th century commercial building design.

"Some have modest Italianate or Classical Revival characteristics. In 1966 a new courthouse was constructed to replace the 1899 courthouse. Piggott's downtown remains a viable business center and in addition to the local and county government offices, contains a mix of retail businesses."

The board also listed historic districts in Wynne, Atkins, Lepanto, Marked Tree and Harrisburg, along with a variety of other properties, cemeteries, churches and even two stretches of the former Butterfield Overland Stagecoach routes in Crawford County.

Nomination by the AHPP opens the door for possible inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. A decision on the local district should be made later this year.