The Heart of Van Buren

The Heart of Van Buren. Main Street. By a natural turn in the Arkansas River, Van Buren began at the water's edge in 1818, straight down this hill. So, the first muddy trail from the river came directly and in directly to this spot - and became the hub of activity for Van Buren and Main Street was born. , In 1836-37, Mr. John Drennen and Mr. David Thompson acquired the Van Buren town-site which contained an unknown number of acres for $11,000 from the Phillips brothers and the partners conducted a survey to lay out the town. When they set aside the Courthouse Square as a place for the future, they assured Van Buren's Main Street would be the center of commerce for the fledgling town. , From the 1830's to the 1860's Van Buren was growing in population, industry and commerce. The river traffic brought pioneers headed west toward Mexico, Texas, California and Oklahoma Territory. , In 1858, Van Buren was vitally affected by another revolution in transportation. That year, the Butterfield Overland Mail Company began operation of stagecoach service from St. Louis to San Francisco. While there were other Butterfield stage stops at Cedarville and Lee's Creek Post Office, Van Buren became important because the stages had to stop in Van Buren to cross the Arkansas River. The occasional delay of the ferry brought new opportunities to the merchants on Main Street. Mr. John Butterfield, Sr., founder and president of the company, drove the first stage down Logtown Hill, down Main Street to the waiting ferry across the river. , Early businesses on and around Main Street included: Wilhauf's bakery; Joe Hawkins/John Greer Wagon Shop; Phelps and Penn engaged in putting up frame houses; George A. Davis house and sign painting. Sam Miles operated a saloon and billiards room. Mrs. Cady's cake and beer establishment sat next to S.D. Daughterty's cabinet shop. Many warehouses along the river held the goods needed by the steamboats and travelers alike. , Hotels along Main Street included the Mansion House, the Columbus Hotel, Brodie Hotel and the Bostick Hotel. As river traffic increased and wagon trains came through headed west, there was always a need for a good bed, good food and a 25 cent bath. , Van Buren's growth and major commerce halted during the years 1862-1865 because of the Civil War. Many families left their homes and businesses and took refuge in Mississippi, south Arkansas, Texas and other points away from the battles, skirmishes and bushwhackers. A number of homes and businesses were ransacked by all armies and renegade groups; food and supplies were hard to come by and the riverboats were enlisted into federal or confederate service. After the war, many former residents returned and over time restored their homes and Main Street businesses. , During the 1870s'- 1880's, Van Buren and Crawford County began their next important phase of growth. The railroad came to Van Buren, a railroad bridge was completed across the Arkansas River, the first telephone service is noted, and a telephone exchange followed in 1886 by Pan Electric Company, 515 Main Street. Two banks, Crawford County Bank and Citizens Bank of Van Buren, both organized. The first public school building was erected where the current Van Buren City Hall now sits. , The 1890's brought Van Buren First Water Works, the water being pumped from Lee's Creek, about 5 miles west of town. Electric lights came in July, 1897, originator is unknown, but in 1901, J. E. Powers purchased the Electric Light and Power Co., which he operated until 1905. , The turn of the century saw many industrial changes to Van Buren, including the Van Buren Cotton Compress, the Van Buren Iron Works, flooring mills, railroad freight depots, passengers depots and the influx of "excursion trip" passengers from St Louis, Mo,. Fayetteville, Arkansas and Little Rock, Arkansas. The railroads were a great source of advertising the many natural wonders of the area, the pleasant temperatures, the fine accommodations and the hospitality of Van Buren's citizens. , Main Street merchants and Van Buren families were very supportive of the troops leaving for foreign battles during World War I. Parades were held down Main Street to drum up support for U.S. War Bonds and this support continued during World War II. , By the 1960's, Main Street was not the once vibrant shopping area it had been. Old buildings were in disrepair, some abandoned, while others had tried to modernize their buildings with false fronts and contemporary materials. Following the work of the Urban Renewal Commission which began in 1968, the Van Buren Historic Commission hired a planner and held public meetings with business owners. They established a plan to bring Main Street back to its glory days showcasing the architecture of the great structures in the Van Buren Historic District, which of course was highlighted by Main Street. , Through many years of planning, applying for funding and working with many government agencies, the Van Buren Historic District and building owners persevered. The results would take years and the District has had issues over time; however, what you see before you is the gift of a beautiful, vibrant and growing Main Street. The Heart of Van Buren.