AAC
742 to 239. NYA workers were soon at work removing the remains of the burned building to prepare the site for a new courthouse. Little Rock’s Erhart and Eichenbaum ar- chitectural firm was hired to design the new building, which would be completely fire- proof and constructed of sturdy local mate- rials. Te architects chose the popular Art Deco style for the new courthouse, which is reflected in such details as the stylized geometric floral patterns above the case- ment windows, the stylized decorated frieze band, and the overall vertical emphasis of the rough-faced limestone building. Interi- or details included furniture built by NYA members and marble wainscoting. Te fi- nal project cost was around $150,000. Construction began in 1938 and on
June 13, 1940, more than 3,000 people attended the new building’s dedication. B.L. Harton of Newport, who served as the NYA’s district supervisor, presented the keys to the building to Judge C.C. Aylor. Te principle speaker, Tom Alford of Little Rock, extolled the NYA’s work in Izard County, where projects in Mel- bourne, Calico Rock and Mount Pleasant had generated a quarter of a million dol- lars for the local economy. Brass bands from Batesville, Mountain View and Cot- ter entertained the crowd and a string band from Calico Rock played music for the evening street dance that closed out the festivities. Seventy-eight years later, the Art Deco
courthouse remains the center of Izard County government.
Te grounds in-
clude a World War I doughboy monu- ment that was placed around 1930 and a bandstand built in 1952 above the original courthouse square well.
Izard
County’s enthusiastic participation in the U.S. bicentennial in 1976 is evident in the American eagle painting by Shirley Jen- nings that adorns the second-floor land- ing and 10 additional paintings by local art students in the courtroom. Te Izard County Courthouse remains an enduring icon and continues to serve the needs of the people into the 21st century. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Sept. 30, 1993.
COUNTY LINES, WINTER 2018
FEATURE
Left: The World War I doughboy monument was placed on the courthouse grounds in 1930. Top right: Izard County participated in the U.S. bicentennial in 1976 by display- ing paintings by local art students. This eagle painting by Shirley Jennings adorns the sec- ond-floor landing. Above: Interior details in- clude furniture built by National Youth Admin- istration members and marble wainscoting.
Among the many programs and services of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program is the County Courthouse Restoration Grant Program. Created in 1989, this grant pro- gram has helped to extend the lives of courthouses that hold vital links to community pride and local history. Tese grants are funded through the Real Estate Transfer Tax, administered by the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council. Since the begin- ning of the program, the AHPP has awarded more than $22.9 million to 74 historic courthouses and courthouse annexes around the state for use in rehabilitating, preserving and protecting these important historic resources. Since 1995, Izard County has received nine grants totaling $656,609 for the Izard County Courthouse in Melbourne.
Arkansas Historic Preservation Program County Courthouse Restoration Grants awarded in Izard County
FY1995 FY1997 FY2002 FY2003 FY2005 FY2007 FY2009 FY2012 FY2014
TOTAL: ADA Restroom
Roof, Interior Restoration ADA Stairlift, Wiring Preservation Master Plan New Electrical Service HVAC Upgrade
Steel Window Restoration Masonry Repointing Stone Restoration
$6,500
$30,000 $32,599 $40,000 $40,000 $142,000 $151,760 $80,000 $133,750
$656,609 39
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