January 29, 2011

This earliest known photograph of the Monticello (Drew County) town square, taken in 1879, presents a scene typical of an Arkansas town of moderate size. Taken by Mr. F. W. Eck from the top of a local hotel looking north on Main Street, the photo clearly shows the many wooden structures of the town of approximately 900 citizens. One of the few brick buildings, the county courthouse built in 1870-71, is shown to the right with its 110-foot-tall clock tower.