History

The storing and restoration of historical artifacts falls to the North Little Rock History Commission.  Located in a turn-of-the-century firehouse, the commission has a wealth of items, photographs, and records dating back to when Argenta was founded.

The North Little Rock Heritage Center at 506 Main Street is located in the city’s first fire station. Constructed in 1895, the city’s main fire station was in the building until 1962. Rebuilt in 2003, the building is home to the North Little Rock History Commission and the North Little Rock Historic District Commission. The first floor features an exhibit on the city’s history. The archives of the city are located on the second floor, as well as research files and materials available for public use.  The building is open to the public from 10:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday. Contact us at nlrhistory@nlr.ar.gov or 501-371-0755.

HISTORY COMMISSION MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the North Little Rock History Commission is to collect and store materials important to the history of the city, and maintain those materials in the archives of the City of North Little Rock.  The commission provides educational programs and services, and encourages and assists in scholarly research on the history of North Little Rock.

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HISTORY COMMISSION

Regular Monthly Meetings:  5:30 P.M., 2nd Tuesday

The History Commission was established by city ordinance in 1975.  Seven volunteer members, appointed by Mayor Eddie Powell, began collecting historical photographs, documents, objects and oral interviews for the city archives. Active for more than a decade, the commission resigned en masse in 1987, stating it had accomplished what it set out to do, after publishing “North Little Rock: The Unique City,” a history book authored by commissioner Walter Adams with assistance from other commission members Evelyn Eubank, Gene Hull, Grayson Dickson, Pat Davis, Earlene Butterworth, and Alfred Schultz.

Mayor Patrick Henry Hays revived the commission in 1989, and two years later, Sandra Taylor Smith was hired as Director.  With archives stored at the William F. Laman Library at 2801 Orange Street, the commission opened an office in 1993 in the historic Barth-Hempfling House at 507 Main Street.  In 1999, the commission’s offices and archives were moved to the historic Park Hill Water Company building at 3427 Magnolia Street. The offices and archives moved again in 2003 to the second floor of the historic fire station and city hall building at 506 Main Street.  Today, the commission uses the first floor for exhibits.  The second floor continues to house offices, meeting space, and climate-controlled archives.

 In 2004, during the city’s centennial, the commission published a history book, titled “On the Opposite Shore: The Making of North Little Rock,” written by award-winning journalist Cary Bradburn, who joined the staff of the History Commission in 2002.  Unfortunately, the book is now out of print, and copies are no longer available for purchase.  However, copies may be viewed at the North Little Rock Public Library, 2801 Orange Street, as well as the commission office at 506 Main Street.

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HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the North Little Rock Historic District Commission is to conduct surveys and studies of neighborhoods, areas, places, structures, objects, and improvements within North Little Rock for the purpose of determining those of distinctive historic, community, architectural, or archeological integrity or value.  They also nominate buildings, structures, objects, and historic districts to the National Register of Historic Places.  The Historic District Commission reviews applications for changes to historic structures, landscape features, and signage within the Argenta Historic District.

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HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

Regular Monthly Meetings – 5:30 P.M. 2nd Thursday – 506 Main Street

The Historic District Commission seeks to recognize, protect, and enhance such properties, areas, and districts, which represent or reflect elements of the city’s cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history.

The Commission’s actions in reviewing and approving construction projects in the Argenta Historic District is intended to not only safeguard that area for the city, but to stabilize and improve property values in the district, foster civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past, protect and enhance the city’s historic areas to visitors, and promote the use of historic districts and landmarks for the education, pleasure, and welfare of the people of the city.

The Historic District Commission and staff are available to provide technical assistance to owners and occupants of historic properties. The commission office has a preservation resource library with information on paint, architectural styles, and copies of all of the National Park Service’s Preservation Briefs, as well as other materials.

Historic District Commission staff assists in research of historic properties. The commission office has North Little Rock city directories, Sanborn fire insurance maps, newspaper files, and many other materials.

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