Howard County Courthouse
A striking Moderne courthouse in northwest Arkansas, built during the Depression with federal funding and distinguished by black marble entrance frames and original Art Deco courtroom details.
At a glance
This two-story brick courthouse anchors downtown Nashville at the intersection of North Main and Bishop Streets. Its H-shaped plan and clean geometric lines exemplify the Moderne style that emerged in American civic architecture during the 1930s. The Little Rock firm Erhart & Eichenbaum designed a building meant to project both permanence and progressive optimism in a county seat.
History
Built in 1939, the courthouse was funded by the Public Works Administration, the New Deal program that employed architects and craftspeople across the nation. The building served Howard County’s judicial and administrative functions from completion through the late twentieth century, when it gained formal recognition for its historical significance.
What you see
The east-facing front facade centers on a black marble–framed entrance, a design motif repeated on the secondary north and south entrances. Interior hallways showcase expansive tile surfaces in earth tones. The courtrooms retain their original Art Deco woodwork, a period detail rarely preserved intact in rural courthouses.
Cultural significance
The courthouse exemplifies Depression-era civic optimism and the lasting impact of federal employment programs on American architecture. Its Moderne style and intact original finishes make it a document of 1930s design principles applied to municipal function.
Key facts
- Location: Nashville, Howard County, Arkansas
- Coordinates: 33.94777778, -93.8475
- Built: 1939
- Architects: Erhart & Eichenbaum (Little Rock)
- Style: Moderne
- National Register: Listed 1990
Practical information & getting there
The courthouse stands in downtown Nashville at the corner of North Main and Bishop Streets. Visitor information for interior access or guided tours should be confirmed with Howard County offices. The building remains in active use as a county courthouse.
Sources & resources
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