Calhoun in Columbia County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Harvey C. Couch School

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 4, 2026

1. Harvey C. Couch School Marker

Inscription.
This building was presented to School District No. 3 by Harvey C. Couch

1928

and dedicated to the education of the children of his friends, former schoolmates and neighbors of Calhoun.

(School Board names not transcribed)

School days are the happiest and most important period of life. Make the most of the hours spent here.
Harvey C. Couch

Erected by Calhoun School Board.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 33° 13.199′ N, 93° 9.228′ W. Marker is in Calhoun, Arkansas, in Columbia County. It is at the intersection of Columbia Road 11 East and Columbia Road 25, on the left when traveling east on Columbia Road 11 East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2385 Columbia Rd 11 E, Magnolia AR 71753, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arkansas’ Gulf Coastal Plain

and in Timberlands.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western

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World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

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 6 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Columbia County Calhoun Pioneer Settlement (here, next to this marker); Gen. John Porter McCown (approx. 5.8 miles away); Columbia County Courthouse (approx. 6 miles away); a different marker also named Columbia County Courthouse (approx. 6 miles away); Mount Holly, Birthplace of Arkansas Governor Thomas C. McRae, 1921-1925 (approx. 12.8 miles away); Columbia County Lamartine Pioneer Settlement (approx. 14.3 miles away).

Also see . . . Harvey C. Couch School - NRHP Registration Form (Arkansas Heritage). Excerpt:

…In 1928 Couch decided that it was time to do something for the small, rural community in which he had been raised. The Calhoun community desired a new, modern school building for its students; Harvey Couch offered to donate the $10,000 it would cost for the construction of the
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 4, 2026

2. Harvey C. Couch School & Marker
Marker is in the vestibule to the right of the door.
building itself according to plans supplied and approved by the State Department of Education. The school district supplied the site and class room equipment; virtually everything else was donated by some member or friend of the Couch family, including the kitchenette equipment, the piano and the books for the library. Designed by the architect Richard Curzon and constructed under the supervision of Mr. F. N. Powell with Guy Wilson serving as builder, the Harvey C. Couch School measured 75 feet by 48 feet and included classrooms that could accommodate 150 students. It was dedicated in August of 1928 with a homecoming celebration.

(Submitted on July 8, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.