dewitt commercial historic district

This is worth seeing primarily for its architectural value. I looked up the history of the buildings on the internet and took a walk through the commercial historic district while visiting family in the area. In all the times I’ve visited DeWitt, I never really noticed the architecture here until I took the time to look at it during this visit. All but 3 of the 54 buildings in the district were built between 1900 and 1960, and the district as a whole is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s centered on the court square and the streets surrounding it.Several buildings are considered significant enough to have their own listings in the National Register, in addition being part of the district itself. The post office on Cross St. looks fairly ordinary on the outside, but has a depression-era mural on the inside that is worth a quick look, especially if you’re interested in that period of history. It was funded by one of the government programs to provide work during the depression, and portrays the artist’s perception of life in DeWitt at that time. The courthouse in the center of the square was built in 1931 and is one of the best examples of an art deco courthouse in Arkansas. Dana’s House Children’s Shelter (formerly First United Methodist Church) on Cross St. was built in 1923, and is an example of a Classical Revival-style religious building. It was the First United Methodist Church at the time it was listed and is still listed that way, even though its ownership and function have since changed. Most of the other buildings represent different periods of commercial vernacular architecture. Most buildings are in use, but a few appear to be empty.This is not one of those old town squares that’s been converted into a quaint shopping district for tourists. There is little to interest shoppers here. It’s a town square that still functions as one, with a pharmacy, hardware store, newspaper office, restaurants, etc. If you are in town already and have a strong interest in historic architecture, this is worth a quick ride or walk through. I wouldn’t say it’s special enough to make a detour, though, unless you are far more interested in the architecture of the time period than I am.