El Dorado Historic District

The City of El Dorado, Arkansas has a rich history as an oil "boom-town" of the 1920s. As prosperity came to the hitherto rural community, the downtown retail area manifested itself in a rich urban fabric. By the time the oil boom had stabilized, the city had reached a population of more than 20,000. Most of the buildings constructed during the boom remain today. A few buildings constructed before the boom also remain. Today, the downtown core represents not only the physical heart of the city, but its historical heart as well.

Located on the highest point in the vicinity, the historic center of town has avoided flooding that has damaged other central business districts in the country. In the 1980s, a concerted effort of revitalization preserved many of the original structures. Additionally, new structures appeared that were designed in harmony with the existing urban fabric. The result is one of the most remarkable downtown areas in the south-central United States.

 
Looking north on Jefferson Street, east side of square.

North side of the square, looking west on Elm Street.

Court House on the square. A truly imposing seat of government and a busy place all the time. Built in 1927 at a cost of approximately $400,000.

Federal Building completed in 1931 and costing $400,000, was built with an eye to the future, In addition to an efficient post office department, it now houses many of the various new government agencies and bureaus. Postal receipts for the first half of 1949 were $98,424 as compared with $82,764 for the same period last year.