Fort Smith in Sebastian County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Harold Adams Office Building
ca. 1960
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 22, 2025
1. Harold Adams Office Building Marker
Plaque donated by Peggy and Glen Sebourn
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1960.
Location. 35° 22.517′ N, 94° 24.624′ W. Marker is in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in Sebastian County. It is at the intersection of South H Street and South 21st Street, on the right when traveling west on South H Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2101 S H St, Fort Smith AR 72901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas River Valley, in the Cherokee Heritage Region, and in Osage Territory. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Oak Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Immaculate Conception Church in 1906 (approx. Ύ mile away); Christ the King Catholic Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); First Evangelical Lutheran Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Texas Corner in 1958 (approx. 0.9 miles away); The New Theatre in 1911 (approx. 0.9 miles away); Fort Towson Trail (approx. 0.9 miles away); Great Cyclone at Fort Smith (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Smith.
Regarding Harold Adams Office Building. Excerpts from the National Register
this page online
The office of Harold Adams, Architect, was originally located in rented office space in Fort Smith. After growing his firm for several years, Harold and his wife Wilma decided it was time to build a new home for the practice. Adams began designing a modern commercial structure that would house his own firm and an additional space that could be leased to local engineer J.D. Mickle who had agreed to lease space in the new building.
Harold and Wilma Adams purchased a property at the corner of "H" Street and South 21st Street in 1960. Construction of the building began quickly with the help of local contractor friends of the Adams. The building was completed by the end of 1960, and Harold Adams, Architect, and J.D. Mickle, Engineer, opened their new offices.
The Harold Adams Office Building is an outstanding surviving example of small-scale midcentury modernism in the Fort Smith area. Adams' role as the owner and architect allowed him to create a showpiece structure to highlight his skill and interest in the modern aesthetic. The unusual mix of masonry and external metal framework highlights his dexterity with a variety of forms and materials all within a single building. The continued use of the building as a working architect's office has helped to preserve not only its exterior appearance, but its internal functions.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 22, 2025
2. Harold Adams Office Building Marker
Also see . . . Harold Adams Office Building (PDF). National Register nomination for the office building, which was listed in 2014. (Prepared by Callie Williams, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program; via Arkansas Heritage) (Submitted on August 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Additional commentary.
1. Harold Adams
Harold Eugene Adams, Sr. (1926-2011) worked on more than 300 projects while practicing in Fort Smith from 1956 to 1966. Among them were the 1958 Fort Smith Airport terminal, Christ the King Rectory and School addition, and several post offices in Arkansas. He then worked for an Oklahoma City architectural firm until his retirement in 1987.
He is not to be confused with Harold Lynn Adams (1940-2022), another architect also practicing during that time. Harold L. Adams is best-known for his work with the Kennedy family, including the John F. Kennedy Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery and at the family compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.
— Submitted August 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 22, 2025
3. Harold Adams Office Building
Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
