CITY OF EL DORADO, ARKANSAS 2020 HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN JULY 15, 2020 Acknowledgments HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CITY OFFICIALS Linda Rathbun, Chair Veronica Smith-Creer, Mayor Theresa Golliher, Vice Chair Heather McVay, City Clerk Dr. Ken Bridges Mike Rice, Ward 1, P1 Sara Coffman Billy Blann, Ward 1, P2 Larry Combs 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, City Preservation Officer 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 CITY OF EL DORADO Armstrong Building, 106 West Main Street HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN 3 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...............................................................................................................................08 SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................13 Overview .................................................................................................................................................14 Key Milestones in El Dorado Historic Preservation .............................................................................15 Historic Preservation Defined ...............................................................................................................16 Key Preservation Definitions .................................................................................................................17 Historic Preservation in El Dorado - What Works?...............................................................................18 Historic Preservation in El Dorado - Key Issues and Opportunities ..................................................20 The El Dorado Historic Preservation Plan - A Guide for Local Action...............................................25 Planning Process and Community Engagement .................................................................................26 SECTION 2: EL DORADO HISTORY AND HERITAGE.......................................................................... 29 Historic Context......................................................................................................................................30 Historic Resources..................................................................................................................................47 El Dorado Architectural Styles and Building Forms............................................................................56 SECTION 3: EL DORADO PRESERVATION PROGRAM...................................................................... 65 Federal and State Planning Context......................................................................................................66 Zoning Ordinance....................................................................................................................................69 Design Review.........................................................................................................................................70 Listed and Designated Historic Resources.............................................................................................71 City Boards and Commissions................................................................................................................84 SECTION 4: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT............................................................................................. 87 Overview.................................................................................................................................................88 SECTION 5: HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN...................................................................................... 97 Overview.................................................................................................................................................98 What El Dorado Values .........................................................................................................................99 Goal 1: Document and Recognize Historic Resources ......................................................................100 Goal 2: Revitalize El Dorado ................................................................................................................101 Goal 3: Engage the Broader El Dorado Community .........................................................................102 Goal 4: Manage the Preservation Program ........................................................................................103 4 CITY OF EL DORADO SECTION 6: IMPLEMENTATION.................................................................................................................157 Achieving Preservation Goals...............................................................................................................158 Preservation Partners and Advocates...................................................................................................158 Local, State and Federal Incentives and Funding Programs................................................................161 Working Committees............................................................................................................................163 Implementation Program......................................................................................................................166 APPENDICES..................................................................................................................................................175 Appendix 1: The National Register Criteria for Evaluation................................................................176 Appendix 2: The Arkansas Register Criteria for Evaluation...............................................................177 Appendix 3: El Dorado Historic Preservation Ordinance..................................................................178 Appendix 4: Bibliography.....................................................................................................................192 201 N. Jefferson Avenue HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN 5 6 CITY OF EL DORADO First Christian Church, North Madison Avenue and East Sheppard HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN 7 Executive Summary BUILDING ON PROGRESS El Dorado, Arkansas is a community transformed by historic preservation. A revitalized downtown, a bustling and growing arts and entertainment district, and vibrant historic neighborhoods are visible testaments to that transformation, made possible by the robust, longstanding stakeholder commitment to historic preservation as a method for enhancing local quality of life. El Dorado residents of all walks of life value and treasure their heritage — they provide a visible connection to the past and the means to reinvent buildings and places. With this in mind, and years of success behind them, the people of El Dorado desire a new preservation vision and action framework, one that addresses existing issues, explores preservation frontiers, and builds on local momentum and stakeholder support for preservation’s continued transformational impact. To that end, in 2019, the City of El Dorado and its Historic District Commission applied for and received a Certified Local Government grant from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program to help underwrite the creation of the community’s first Historic Preservation Plan. For many communities, a historic preservation plan is an important tool for understanding what buildings, places and landscapes merit preservation and stewardship, as well as how they play vital roles in generating reinvestment in traditional neighborhoods and commercial districts. Creating a preservation plan also provides the opportunity for engaging the broader community and connecting with residents and stakeholders to learn about their own preservation concerns and aspirations. The El Dorado Historic Preservation Plan summarizes El Dorado’s past preservation successes, identifies current preservation needs and outlines the action initiatives to guide