http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/1_-union-county-court-house The original Union County Courthouse, built in 1844 at a cost of $200, stood where Larry’s Rexall Drug Store is today. As the county seat, El Dorado quickly outgrew even its second courthouse (built on this site in 1848) in the 1920’s due to the oil boom’s voluminous deed and title transactions. http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/1_-union-county-court-house Sun, 04 May 2008 17:41:17 -0500 http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/2_-el-dorado-confederate-monument The El Dorado Confederate Monument consists of a Confederate soldier in mid-stride on top of a four-columned classic temple structure. The columns replicate cannon barrels of the Civil War. Inside the temple is a fountain, which is no longer in operation. http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/2_-el-dorado-confederate-monument Sun, 04 May 2008 17:46:18 -0500 http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/3_-masonic-temple A fire destroyed the previous red brick building on this site in 1921. In 1924, the local Masonic order (named Blue Lodge, which was established in El Dorado in 1846 as the 13th order formed in the United States) had completed its new lodge’s immense wall murals of the building of King Solomon’s Temple. The murals were painted by Thomas G. Moses of Chicago; restored in the early 1970’s by local artist DeWanna Womack. This charitable group site now hosts several local Masonic orders’ meetings. (Not open to the public.) http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/3_-masonic-temple Sun, 04 May 2008 17:48:52 -0500 http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/4_-b_-w_-reeves--co Although its façade is no longer there, the store B. W. Reeves & Co. is an integral part of downtown El Dorado history. Orphaned by the Civil War, B. W. Reeves Sr. and his brother and sister walked from Thomaston, Georgia to Three Creeks, Arkansas (just south of El Dorado), in 1865. http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/4_-b_-w_-reeves--co Sun, 04 May 2008 17:50:28 -0500 http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/5_-bank-of-commerce-building Civic leaders B.W. Reeves, T. H. Norris, J. H. Lewis, J. E. Culp and Albert Rowell organized the Bank of Commerce and the construction of this building. In just two years of the oil boom prosperity from 1921 to 1923 the bank’s assets grew from $800,000 to nearly $3 million, and the directors voted to join the National Bank of Commerce charter. The bank operated from this location until 1973, when it moved a few blocks north. Six years later, the building’s current owners Richard and Vertis Mason restored the exterior to its 1920’s appearance as approved by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/5_-bank-of-commerce-building Sun, 04 May 2008 18:19:44 -0500 http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/6_-exchange-bank/lion-oil-building Designed to accommodate the bustling oil community’s financial needs, this limestone-façade building is the tallest in El Dorado at eight stories. Col. T. H. Barton established the Exchange Bank in 1924, and later became president of Lion Oil Company as well, thus housing his petroleum company’s corporate headquarters here until the 1970’s. (Fun Fact: Lion Oil spelled backward still spells Lion Oil!) In 1993, the Exchange Bank moved a few blocks north, changing to Citizens First Bank and is now Regions Bank. The historic building was renamed First Financial Centre in 1998. http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/6_-exchange-bank/lion-oil-building Sun, 04 May 2008 18:22:05 -0500 http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/7_-municipal-building/city-hall City Hall was originally located at the corner of Cedar and Cleveland, but the swelling population of the oil boom necessitated this “newer” structure that cost $125,000 in its day. Its central tower and marbled lobby are the most impressive features of this excellent example of Art Deco architecture. Prior to this building, on this site was the Banks Female Academy run by Mrs. A. R. Banks from 1846 until her death in 1853. The school continued under the guidance of trustees with the pioneer family names of Goodwin, Ammons, Tatum, Cowser, Marr and Smead until after the Civil War when the academy was moved to 300 South West Avenue. http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/7_-municipal-building/city-hall Sun, 04 May 2008 18:23:07 -0500 http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/8_-first-baptist-church During the oil boom days of incredible prosperity and growth, First Baptist Church erected what was referred to as “one of the most imposing edifices in the state.” Congregation members B. W. Reeves Sr., Sam E. Babb, R. N. Garrett Sr., Ira Hudson, Dr. J. M. Sheppard and W. I. Bell Sr. oversaw the construction details. And it was just in time: The church’s burgeoning membership doubled between 1922 and 1926. The building has since had extensive additions and renovations including the 1982 $1.5 million facility joined by a pedestrian bridge across North West Avenue. http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/8_-first-baptist-church Sun, 04 May 2008 18:24:38 -0500 http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/9_-1905-junior-college-building This site has been continually used for public education since 1858. Bennett G. Clark and Sarah W. Clark deeded this land in 1847 to the early trustees of El Dorado Female Institute. In 1858, Albert Rust sold five acres more to the trustees for $250, stipulating that the land be used for a female academy. That year the academy opened in a two-story, eight-room frame structure and was run by Reverend and Mrs. William S. Lacy. (Early trustees’ family names included Goodwin, Bussy, Ammons, Smead, Marr, Clowser, Adams, Rust, Cornish, Hampton, Heines and Hardy.) http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/9_-1905-junior-college-building Sun, 04 May 2008 18:25:56 -0500 http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/10_-presbyterian-cemetery According to church history, “three blocks south of the Court House is a little cemetery sacred to the history of El Dorado.” Title to the cemetery now rests in the name of “The Deacons of the First Presbyterian Church of El Dorado, and their successors forever.” Some of El Dorado’s first settlers are buried on this site, including first homesteader Matthew Rainey and his son first postmaster Christopher Columbus Rainey, as well as other such pioneer families as the Armstrongs, Prothros, Faulkners, Shulers, Ragsdales, Newtons, Murphys, Kinards, Busseys, Hammonds and many more. One grave is surrounded by a cast iron fence and ornate gate, fashioned by Wood & Perot of Philadelphia that is of a weeping willow tree with doves resting in its branches and lambs lying beneath its shade. Three unknown confederate soldier graves are marked with tombstones stating, “Our Beloved Confederates.” http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/10_-presbyterian-cemetery Sun, 04 May 2008 18:27:03 -0500 http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/11_-hamburger-row Notorious for its vices during the 1920’s oil boom, the Row stretched from the edge of the posh four-story Garrett Hotel (since demolished) on Locust Street to the railroad depot at Hillsboro (Hwy 82-B). It was infamous for its cheap meal joints, shanties, and prostitution and gambling in “barrelhouses” (unruly customers were rolled away in barrels). http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/11_-hamburger-row Sun, 04 May 2008 18:32:51 -0500 http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/12_-rialto-theatre This plush 1400-seat movie palace opened in 1929 as a flagship, state-of-the-art film and drama playhouse attracting well-wishing telegrams from such movie stars as Gary Cooper, Joan Crawford and Greta Garbo. Part of the Vaudeville circuit, it cost $250,000 to build (a fortune) and was owned and operated by the local Clark and McWilliams families’ theater company to replace a former Rialto Theatre previously on this site. The Rialto closed in 1980, changed owners to Richard and Vertis Mason, was restored and re-opened in 1987. It is the oldest operating movie theater in Arkansas. http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/12_-rialto-theatre Sun, 04 May 2008 18:35:05 -0500 http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/13_-first-united-methodist-church In 1833, a small band of people here formed a Methodist congregation. Some of the first church members included the families of John H. Cornish, William Lucas, E. R. Brown, Warner Brown, Rev. William N. Hayes and Col. N. G. Hickman. In 1845, the new Union County’s first Methodist church, aptly named First Methodist Church, was built out of logs on its current property on Hill Street that was purchased from Warner Brown for only $30. He later donated additional adjoining land for a church cemetery and gave a bell as well. A second church building was erected out of lumber on the site in 1871. In 1901, congregation members C. P. McHenry, W. H. Goodwin, W. J. Miles, W. J. Pinson, H.C. Norris and A. P. Thompson, along with Rev. J. A. Sage oversaw the construction of a third building out of brick. With the discovery of oil came plans for a totally new church. From 1922 to 1924, the congregation worshiped either under a white tent one block over on Jackson Avenue or in the nearby Rialto Theatre, until finally the current sanctuary structure was complete. The church has since added an educational building and chapel (1957), a name change in 1968 to First United Methodist Church, and the Hanna Building recreational and meeting complex (1980’s). http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/13_-first-united-methodist-church Sun, 04 May 2008 18:37:11 -0500 http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/14_-united-states-post-office/federal-building In 1846, El Dorado’s first post office was at Jefferson and Cedar. President Polk personally appointed resident Christopher C. Rainey as its first postmaster. In 1870, it moved to the east side of the square to 115 North Jefferson, then to 203 East Main in 1880, then to a block and a half from the square on South Jefferson in 1889, and then to 116 East Elm in 1897 (still standing, owned by the Garrett family; occupied by Elm Street Bakery). In 1921, the Post Office relocated to the Trimble Building, 214 – 216 East Elm at Hill (now a parking lot) to accommodate oil boom’s population boom until 10 years later when its present building was constructed. This site in 1846 was a two-story house built by charitable masons for the Male Academy taught by a Mr. Day. http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/14_-united-states-post-office/federal-building Sun, 04 May 2008 18:39:19 -0500 http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/15_-first-presbyterian-church Rev. W. S. Lacy organized the First Presbyterian Church in late 1845. In March 1846, the church held its first services in a small frame building across from the Presbyterian Cemetery on South Washington Avenue, with 12 original members. The membership grew steadily until 1862 when a storm leveled the building to the ground and all of the able-bodied men and boys left for the Civil War. The church disbanded and the church bell was given to the Confederacy to be melted down into cannon balls. Ruling Elder Newton Gilbert Hammond was one of the ones who helped re-organize the church in 1868 following the war, meeting in members’ homes until a small frame chapel was built in 1872, on the southeast corner of Main at Hill. From 1897 to ’98, a structure was built on the southeast corner of the current lot and was used until the oil discovery hit. Within four days of the church announcing its plans for a new building in 1924, $104,000 was already raised. In 1926, the current brick sanctuary and Sunday School wing were completed, and the women’s auxiliary had raised $20,000 for its Moller pipe organ. The Presbyterians have since added a chapel and education facilities (1954/55), and a playground (1998) in celebration of the church’s 150 years. http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/15_-first-presbyterian-church Sun, 04 May 2008 18:41:14 -0500 http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/16_-john-newton-house The oldest existing house in the community, the John Newton house is a well-preserved example of 19th century frontier Arkansas architecture. John Newton brought his family from Alabama to south Arkansas in 1843 and prospered from raising cotton. He bought 546 acres (covering from North West Avenue to Retta Brown School on Dixie Drive and from Fifth Street to Peach) from El Dorado’s first settler Matthew Rainey in 1849, and built his plantation home for wife Penelope and their six children. The building originally stood on Peach Street where the Murphy Oil headquarters is today but was moved to its Jackson Avenue address in 1910 by then-owner Rufus N. Garrett. You may notice the initials PW and EM etched in the windowpanes now framed in the front parlor. Patti Wright, granddaughter of John Newton, romantically “engraved” her and her fiancée’s initials (Judge Emon Mahony) with her diamond engagement ring one evening, and the panes became a sentimental facet of the house. http://www.goeldorado.com/root/downtown/walking-tour-of-downtown2/historic-walking-tour/16_-john-newton-house Sun, 04 May 2008 18:42:17 -0500