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JOHNSON COUNTY HISTORY
Johnson
County was created from a portion of Pope County,
by the Act of November 16, 1833, and was named Johnson
honoring the first Territorial Judge of Arkansas, Judge
Benjamin Johnson. The Act creating the county, directed
the temporary seat of justice should be held at the home
of Elijah Alson, son of the pioneers of the county and
whose home was at the Spadra Boat landing. In 1836 the
County Seat was established here after Mr. Josiah Cravens
offered 1/4 mile square on Spadra Creek free to the Commissioners
if they would locate the County Seat here. Clarksville
was named honoring Loenzo N. Clarke another large land
owner of the County, and one of the Commissioners who
was chosen to locate the County Seat. As early as 1828
there were a few white settlers here and still some Indians.
The river boat landings at Spadra Bluff, Morrisons Bluff
and Pittsburg Landings were the main river landings in
our County. Those who came on barges had to land at one
or the other of these places. Numerous wagon trains from
Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and
Kentucky brought many of our early settlers. They were
all looking for good farm land and plenty of water. Johnson
County covers 700 square miles, there are five incorporated
towns in our county, our population is 18,221 and Clarksville's
population is 5,833. The first blind school in the state
was organized here in Clarksville-also the first deaf-mute
school was here in 1850. Clarksville was incorporated
December 21, 1848.
The College of the Ozarks originated in Cane Hill,
Arkansas, Washington County in 1834, was chartered in
1852, then was moved to Clarksville in 1891.
Our first Spadra Creek Bridge was built in 1852.
The same location has been used for every bridge that
has been built ascending East Hill, on East Main Street,
as have the same locations been used for the Court House
as the first one built in 1838. Every Methodist Church
since the first one built in 1843, has been built on the
same location. The College of the Ozarks School of
Pharmacy in 1946 was the first in the state.
The first free delivery of rural mail in Arkansas was
begun in Johnson County in 1896. We've had one or
more banks in Clarksville since 1901. The first Educational
Association in the State was organized in Clarksville,
April 12, 1869, and was incorporated on February 23, 1881.
Many Indian signs can be found over the county.
One called "the Rock House", is a cave of red sandstone.
On the walls are many figures of turtles, lizards, and
other reptiles. Other places too numerous to mention have
turned up arrow heads and Indian relics.
There is no region of this state where the towering ranges
of the Ozarks loom up more majestically. The Boston and
Mulberry Mountains traverse the northern areas of the
county to the Arkansas River. The Mountains afford the
widest and loveliest prospects it is possible to conceive.
History
by: Lilian Mickel
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RAYMOND
MUNGER
MEMORIAL CHAPEL
(University of the Ozarks Campus)
The
chapel is a two-story church designed in the collegiate
Gothic Style. The building was designed by Rogers
architect A.0. Clark and constructed in 1932 under
the direction of contractor Gomer Kraus. Of particular
note are the pointed arch windows that light the
nave, the buttressed single-story aisles and die
ashlar faced stone that enhances the churches
medieval character.
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MISSOURI-PACIFIC DEPOT
(comer
of Johnson and Main Street)
The
Missouri-Pacific Depot in Clarksville is a single-story,
brick masonry freight and passenger railroad depot
designed in the Mediterranean style that was popular
for this building type during the 1st quarter of the
20th century. Constructed circa 1910, the Clarksville
depot was originally covered by a ceramic tile roof,
the primary feature which gives the depot a Mediterranean
flavor. Although composition shingles now cover the
hipped roof, the original Italianate brackets under
the wide projecting eaves remain as does the unique
parapeted cross gable over the three-sided telegrapher's
bay. The depot is currently owned by the
Clarksville-Johnson
County Chamber of Commerce.
Listed 6/11/92 |
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DUNLAP
HOUSE
(101 Grandview)
The
Dunlap House, designed by Charles Thompson in 1910, is
a large two-story American Foursquare house with an unusually
decorative front door featuring a large beveled oval glass
window linked by two similar oval sidelights and its porch
which covers only part of the principle facade. A very
visible building in Clarksville, the Dunlap House is being
restored to its original condition. Listed 12/22/92.
OARK
GENERAL STORE
(East of Highway 215)
The
Oark General Store was built circa 1902 with siding
added in 1942 and two additions made to the structure
in 1943 and 1995. Listed 1995.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
(212 College Avenue)
The First Presbyterian church built in 1919 was
listed on 5/13/91 with statewide significance as
the extraordinary work of a master. Designed by
the architect A.0. Clark from Rogers, Arkansas,
it stands as the finest example of Classical Revival
architecture in Clarksville and in Johnson County.
Its octagonal dome, columned corner entrance portico
and large, arched stained glass windows distinguish
it as an exceptionally erudite and high-style example
of this particular style. |
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CAPTAIN ARCHIBALD
McKENNON HOUSE
(215 N. Central)
The
McKennon House was built in 1868 in Adam-like style. It
is a two-story, red, common-bond brick building possessing
the lightness and delicacy of the Adam style. The two-story,
flat roof hexastyle portico has a light and airy effect
created by the wide spacing of the tapered square columns.
Typical of the Adam style are the double doorways that
are centered on the upper and lower levels of the facade.
Each has half-round fanlights and flanking sidelights.
The upper-level entry opens out onto a balcony with delicate
bausters and turned corner-posts. The significance of
the house is further emphasized by the state, local, and
national prominence that McKennon gained in governmental
affairs.
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PIONEER HOUSE
(Highway 123 & Hospital Drive, next to Heritage
Inn)
The
Pioneer House is the oldest documented structure
in Johnson County. Built circa 1850 of hand-hewn
virgin southern yellow pine, the single-room log
structure reflects a skillful use of the half-hewn,
half-dovetail notch construction technique. The
log cabin evolved into a larger one and a half
story late nineteenth century log and frame farmhouse
covered by weather board siding. An exterior chimney
of native field stone dominates the east wall,
and another interior brick chimney is found in
the frame addition. The Pioneer House rest upon
a dry laid continuous stone foundation. The remains
of a stone well and milk house are located to
the southwest of the structure. The original
builder is not known for certain. Listed 3/1/95.
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McKENNON HOUSE
(115
Grandview)
The
McKennon House on Grandview was built in 1907
and designed by Charles Thompson. Unusual features
are the oval window centered in the second story,
appearing just above the apex of the pedimented
portico, and the Palladian window decorating the
front dormer. The door features beveled plate
glass and sidelights. The sash windows have one-over-one
lights. The house was built for Dr. A.M. McKennon
on a large lot overlooking Clarksville. Listed
12/22/82.
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JOHNSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Main Street
The
Johnson county Courthouse is significant as the
best example of federally funded Classical Revival
style structures built in Johnson County during
the Depression era. The building is in excellent
condition and possesses exceptional integrity.
The interior of the courthouse is practically
original. The second-story courtroom with it's
lavish dark stained woodwork and ornately carved
broken pediments and pilasters accurately reflect
the look and atmosphere of a 1930's era courtroom.
With the exception of some door replacements,
the exterior is virtually unaltered and continues
to remain one of the grander aspects of the Depression.
Listed 6/14/91.
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DAVIS HOUSE
(212 Fulton Street)
The
Davis House was built in 1915. It was designed by Charles
Thompson, the same as the McKennon House. This two story
American Foursquare house is crowned by a high pyramid
roof with overhanging eaves lined with exposed rafters.
The large curving wrap-around porch features paired Tuscan
columns supporting a full entablature enriched with modillion
blocks at the base of the cornice. A distinguishing feature
of this house is the central dorm capped with a curved
Flemish gable roof outlined with molding. The door has
beveled glass and a simple transom. The larger sash windows
have eight-over-one lighting. Listed 12/22/82.
BIG PINEY CREEK BRIDGE
(State
Highway 123)
Situated
in the scenic mountains of the Ozark National Forest,
the Big Piney Creek Bridge was built in 1931, and is a
one lane, steel Warren truss of total length of 461 feet.
This version of the Warren truss is unusual in that it
uses verticals and diagonal and vertical sub-struts. Big
Piney Creek Bridge is in good condition and is being maintained
as vehicular bridge. Listed 4/9/90.
SERPENT CAVE & KINGS
CANYON PETROGLYPHS
(address restricted)
Serpent
Cave's features, among other designs, is a pictograph
of a profiled human head connected to a serpent body.
While the Kings Canyon Petroglyphs are pecked or incised
designs in rock carved by the aboriginal inhabitants of
the area. To protect the fragility of this prehistoric
art and to safeguard against possible vandalism, the addresses
to these sites are restricted. Listed 5/4/92.
HARMONY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
(Highway
103 North)
Built
in 1915-1917 about eight miles north of Clarksville. It
is a single-story, stone masonry church designed in a
simplified Gothic Revival Style. It is significant as
the best local example of a church combining the native
Ozark stone construction tradition and the nationally
popular Gothic Revival style of architecture.
PENNINGTON HOUSE
(317 Johnson Street)
The
Pennington House was built between 1888-1891 and is a
two-story, wood frame residence combining the Folk Victorian
and Italianate architectural styles. Listed 1994/95.
LINKS
FOR INFO
Johnson
County Historical Society
C/O Corresponding Secretary
PO Box 505
Clarksville, AR 72830-0505
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