Arkansas County Courthouse, Northern District

The Arkansas County Courthouse in Stuttgart (Arkansas County) is a Classical Revival–style, brick building designed by J. B. Barrett and constructed by the Barrett and Ogletree firm in 1928. The courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 20, 1992.

Arkansas Post was the original Arkansas County seat after statehood, but, as Arkansas Post’s population waned, citizens wanted a more central location for the seat. DeWitt was chosen and served as the sole county seat until the early 1920s, when Stuttgart’s rapid growth, due to the railroad and the increase in rice and soybean production, brought additional civic and legislative responsibilities to the community. After several court hearings, it was decided that Stuttgart would be a secondary county seat, focusing on the northern half of Arkansas County.

The Arkansas County Courthouse for the Northern District sits on the southwest corner of East 3^rdand South College streets in Stuttgart. The courthouse is two stories tall and rests on a raised basement. The foundation is made of brick and stucco, and the roof is asphalt. All windows in the building are one-over-one wood sash, and most of the panes are original.

A two-story addition, similar in style to the original building, was added to the western (or rear) side of the building, and a red brick chimney rises at this intersection. Also on the western side is a metal fire escape wrapping to two separate single-leaf entrances on the southern side of the second story.

The main exterior features are subtle, including stucco inserts, concrete stoops, a pediment, and an entablature. The building is in very good condition in the twenty-first century, with few alterations or modifications to the exterior. The interior retains most of the original door and window moldings. The original balustrades and stairs are also still in use.

For additional information:
“Arkansas County Courthouse—Northern District.” National Register of Historic Places nomination form. On file at Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Gill, John Purifoy, and Marjem Jackson Gill. On the Courthouse Square in Arkansas. N.p.: 1980.

Danny Groshong
Little Rock, Arkansas