Waldron in Scott County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
1830-1899
City of Waldron Commercial Historic District
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 12, 2024
1. 1830-1899 Marker
The oldest commercial buildings remaining in Waldron’s Commercial Historic District date from circa 1876, however development on Main Street began prior to then. In the late 1830’s, resident William Featherston operated a tavern where the Ben Franklin Building now stands between third and Danville Street. Between the years 1850-1859 Waldron contained three grocery stores, two hotels, a courthouse, a jail, a post office and one blacksmith. The 1840’s log courthouse was replaced in 1860 with a brick one that burned two years later during the Civil War. The Continental Hotel, also referred to as the Malone Hotel, was erected in 1869 on the east side of South Main Street in the present location of Crutchfield’s Café Building and the parking lot to the north. From 1870-1878 the town went through a period of violence between Confederate and Union supporters known as the “Waldron War”. More than thirty people were murdered during this period causing the town to suffer economically until the late 1870’s. By 1891 construction on Main Street had accelerated. Many new brick commercial buildings were constructed on Main Street during
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. 34° 53.928′ N, 94° 5.465′ W. Marker is in Waldron, Arkansas, in Scott County. It is on South Main Street (Business U.S. 71) just south of East 3rd Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker is located along the sidewalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 239 South Main Street, Waldron AR 72958, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Arkansas’ Ouachita Mountains. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Ozarks. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere,
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 12, 2024
2. 1830-1899 Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1900-1960 (within shouting distance of this marker); Scott County in the Civil War (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Scott County Jail (about 600 feet away).
Regarding 1830-1899. Waldron Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places № 08000943.
From the National Register Nomination prepared by Angela Clifton, 4/7/2008:
The brick buildings vary between one and two-stories and have rectangular plans. The west side of South Main Street is the only side that has buildings that survived from the nineteenth century. Waldron housed two hotels, eight general stores, five grocery stores, three drug stores, one shoe shop, six doctors’ offices, and several real estate offices in 1891. Most of the buildings that survived from this period have been altered considerably.
Related markers.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 12, 2024
3. Waldron Commercial Historic District: 239 South Main Street
The marker is located at the far left.
Also see . . .
1. Waldron Commercial Historic District (Encyclopedia of Arkansas).
Excerpt: Within the boundaries of the historic district are thirty-four buildings and one additional structure, built in several different phases between the years 1880 and 1958. Of the thirty-five total structures, twenty maintain a high level of integrity and contribute to the historic district; the other fifteen are non-contributing. The district was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 25, 2008.(Submitted on December 12, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Waldron Commercial Historic District (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The Waldron Commercial Historic District encompasses the historic central business district of Waldron, Arkansas. This area, a five-block stretch of Main Street was primarily developed between 1880 and 1920 but was an active commercial area from the town's incorporation in 1852. An unknown number of its early buildings were destroyed during the American Civil(Submitted on December 12, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)War. Most of the buildings are one- and two-story brick structures, with a variety of commercial architectural and vernacular styles present.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 12, 20244. Waldron Commercial Historic District MarkerWaldron Commercial Historic District
Has Been Listed in the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
2008
3. Waldron War (Encyclopedia of Arkansas).
Excerpt: The Waldron War was a decade-long period of violence that began during the Reconstruction era and was characterized by arson, general lawlessness, personal and political feuds, electoral misconduct, and violence — including murder — throughout Scott County. The civil strife resulted in Governors Augustus Garland and William Read Miller dispatching the state militia to the county on at least three occasions to restore order. The apparent climax of the “war” took place in Waldron in February 1878 with the murder of John L. “Shabe” Davenport, a well-known citizen of the area.(Submitted on December 12, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 12, 2024
5. Waldron Commercial Historic District: South Main & West 4th
The west side of South Main Street is the only side that has buildings that survived from the nineteenth century.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 12, 2024
6. Dozier and Son Building
From the National Register Nomination: Dozier and Son Building located at 234 South Main Street exemplifies the traditional nineteenth century commercial building and was originally a grocery store. The construction of the building is circa 1890.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 386 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 12, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
