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State of the City Report STATE OF THE CITY REPORT CITY OF EL DORADO, AR MARCH 27, 2020 STATE OF THE CITY REPORT 1 Acknowledgments HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CITY OFFICIALS Linda Rathbun, Chair Veronica Smith-Creer, Mayor Dr. Ken Bridges Heather McVay, City Clerk Sarah Coffman Mike Rice, Ward 1, P1 Larry Combs Billy Blann, Ward 1, P2 Theresa Golliher Vance Williamson, Ward 2, P1 Diane Murfee Judy Ward, Ward 2, P2 Ann Trimble Willie McGee, Ward 3, P1 Andre Rucks, Ward 3, P2 CITY STAFF Paul Choate, Ward 4, P1 Elizabeth Eggleston, HDC Executive Director Dianne Hammond, Ward 4, P2 PRODUCED BY: All photos by The Lakota Group unless otherwise noted in the report. All historic photos were provided by the South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society unless otherwise noted in the report. FUNDING This material was produced with assistance from the Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior and the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, an agency of the Division of Arkansas Heritage, Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior or the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. This program receives Federal financial assistance for identification and protection of historic properties under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended. The U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, or disability or age in its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office for Equal Opportunity National Park Service 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20240 2 EL DORADO HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN Table of Contents INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................06 Key Milestones in El Dorado Historic Preservation..............................................................................07 Historic Preservation Defined................................................................................................................09 Historic Preservation Plan Organization..............................................................................................09 The Planning Process...............................................................................................................................10 Community Engagement........................................................................................................................10 Historic Preservation in El Dorado - What Works?...............................................................................11 Key Preservation Definitions .................................................................................................................13 EL DORADO HISTORY AND HERITAGE................................................................................................. 16 Historic Context......................................................................................................................................16 Historic Resources..................................................................................................................................32 El Dorado Architectural Styles and Building Forms.............................................................................42 EL DORADO PRESERVATION PROGRAM............................................................................................ 52 Federal and State Planning Context......................................................................................................52 Zoning Ordinance....................................................................................................................................55 Design Review.........................................................................................................................................56 Listed and Designated Historic Resources............................................................................................57 Federal State and Local Incentives.........................................................................................................70 City Boards and Commissions................................................................................................................72 Preservation Partners and Advocates.....................................................................................................73 PRESERVATION CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES................................................................... 78 Opportunities and Challenges................................................................................................................85 APPENDICES.................................................................................................................................................. 78 Appendix 1: The National Register Criteria for Evaluation..................................................................92 Appendix 2: The Arkansas Register Criteria for Evaluation.................................................................93 Appendix 1: Definitions...........................................................................................................................94 STATE OF THE CITY REPORT 3 J. H. McWilliams House, 323 West Oak Street 4 EL DORADO HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN SECTION ONE 1 INTRODUCTION STATE OF THE CITY REPORT 5 Introduction Since the 1973 listing of the Matthew Rainey House (John Newton House) in the National Register of Historic Places — El Dorado’s first historic property designation — the El Dorado historic preservation program continues to enjoy broad-based stakeholder support, not only amongst a dedicated group of preservationists but also with elected officials, civic leaders, property and business owners, institutions and local residents. Over the years, significant preservation achievements stand as testaments to that support: four neighborhoods and 20 individual properties listed in the National Register, a revitalized downtown made possible through El Dorado’s highly successful Main Street program, and the recently-established and thriving Murphy Arts District, transforming a once underutilized collection of historic downtown commercial buildings into a premier destination for performing arts in southern Arkansas. Today, the El Dorado community views historic preservation as essential to promoting local quality of life and livability, enhancing local design character, maintaining connections to El Dorado’s rich heritage and achieving long- term community sustainability in the face of constant economic change. In El Dorado, historic buildings provide windows into the community’s past. For instance, the Union County Courthouse, the El Dorado Municipal Building and the residential development found in the Mahony and the Murphy-Hill historic districts are representative resources of El Dorado’s 1920s oil industry boom period. Other El Dorado neighborhoods — even those constructed after World War II and distinguished by the ever-present Ranch home — retain significant character and integrity, contributing to the city’s established authenticity and sense of place. These places, built with quality design and durable materials, may well constitute El Dorado’s future historic districts. Above all, El Dorado’s historic resources tell the stories of the diverse peoples that settled and developed El Dorado, started its businesses, attended its churches, served as the city’s elected leaders, and participated in its cultural and civic life. As noted, many El Dorado historic buildings are contributing resources to National Register Historic Districts; others, such as the Griffin Auto Company Building and the Masonic Temple, for instance, are listed individually in the National Register. In addition to the National Register properties, Downtown El Dorado is the community’s only locally designated historic district, adopted by the El Dorado City Council in 2004. Other buildings and neighborhoods may also retain architectural and historical value and merit future evaluation and designation. El Dorado stakeholders believe the recognition and designation of El Dorado’s historic resources is key to the long-term stewardship of El Dorado’s heritage. Beyond El Dorado’s past preservation successes, there are ongoing challenges as well as new frontiers for preserving the past. While most El Dorado citizens value their historic landmarks and districts, with the exception of downtown, El Dorado’s neighborhood historic districts lack protection and are vulnerable to property alterations and demolitions, potentially diminishing their integrity and value as significant places over time. Other citizens may lack awareness of the significance of their properties or the sufficient means to maintain them. Initiatives that inform building owners on preservation’s benefits, with new public-private partnerships that support rehabilitation and revitalization activity in the downtown and neighborhoods, could comprise the basis for a more far-reaching and effective local historic preservation program. 6 EL DORADO HISTORIC PRESERVATION
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