January 29, 1964

Villa Marre in Little Rock (Pulaski County), an elegant family home built in 1881 that later appeared in the opening credits to the popular television show Designing Women was bought by James W. Strawn Jr. for the sum of $11,550. Strawn, the owner of a successful furniture company, became interested in architectural restoration as he watched many of Little Rock’s fine homes and buildings being bulldozed during urban renewal efforts. The house—which has weathered storms, architectural changes, urban renewal, and neglect—is still one of Little Rock’s most prominent landmarks.

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