4 South Arkansas Properties Added to National Historic Register

Bridges, schools, and cotton gins among the latest additions to the National Register of Historic Places in Arkansas.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program has added nine new properties to the National Register of Historic Places, including four in South Arkansas. The newly listed sites range from historic bridges and schools to a cotton gin and a YWCA building, all of which have been recognized for their architectural and historical significance.

Why it matters

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Inclusion on the register provides access to preservation grants and tax credits, as well as recognition of a property's importance to the local community and the state's history.

The details

The newly listed South Arkansas properties include the Highway A-2 Bridges in Curtis, the Robert E. Lee School in Hot Springs, the College Street Bridge near Coal Hill, and the Emrich and Beley Cotton Gin in Tyronza. These sites were chosen for their architectural merit and their roles in the region's history, from transportation infrastructure to educational and agricultural facilities.

  • The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program added the nine new properties to the National Register of Historic Places in January 2026.

The players

Ralph Wilcox

The national register and survey coordinator and deputy state historic preservation officer for the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.

Irven Granger McDaniel

The noted Arkansas architect who designed the Robert E. Lee School in Hot Springs.

Jeanfo

The French sculptor who used the Robert E. Lee School as a studio and home after it ceased being used as a school.

Charles Carter

The architect from the firm of Ginocchio & Cromwell who designed the Emon and Mabel Mahony House in El Dorado.

Neil Hamill Park

The Arkansas landscape architect who influenced the formal garden at the Emon and Mabel Mahony House in El Dorado.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's always an honor to have Arkansas properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service's recognition of these properties' significance illustrates the fact that Arkansas has a rich and diverse history.”

— Ralph Wilcox, national register and survey coordinator and deputy state historic preservation officer for the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (arkadelphian.com)

What’s next

The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program will continue to identify and nominate additional historic properties across the state for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

The takeaway

The latest additions to the National Register of Historic Places in Arkansas showcase the state's rich architectural heritage and the ongoing efforts to preserve important landmarks that tell the story of the region's history.