The City of Russellville is committed to preserving, protecting, and celebrating the unique architectural, cultural, and historical character of its commercial and residential historic districts. Our Commercial Historic District is the only historic district in Russellville that is under the purview of the Russellville Historic District Commission (RHDC) through the adoption of ordinance 2023. Any future local ordinance districts would also come under the purview of the RHDC, however, those will only be created through local ordinance at the request of 60% of the owners of the proposed district.

In the commercial historic district, our goal is to maintain the integrity of the built environment while supporting thoughtful reinvestment, economic revitalization, and adaptive reuse that enhances the downtown experience for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.

In the residential historic district, an honorific national register district, we are here to support the charm, craftsmanship, and neighborhood identity of historic homes by encouraging preservation-minded maintenance, appropriate alterations, and increased awareness of the value these neighborhoods bring to the community’s sense of place.

Together, these efforts support a vibrant and livable Russellville – where the past is honored and integrated into a dynamic future.

About the Russellville Historic District Commission

The RHDC was established by Ordinance 2011, authorized on February 21, 2008, under the authority of Arkansas Code §14-172-201 et seq.

The Commission consists of nine (9) members, appointed with the advice and consent of the Mayor and City Council. Members must:

• Be registered voters residing in the City of Russellville
• Hold no salaried or elected municipal office
• Include at least one member who owns property within the designated historic district(s)
• Demonstrate a strong interest or background in historic preservation, with knowledge or experience in areas such as architecture, history, planning, real estate, building rehabilitation, or conservation.

Each member serves a three-year term and remains in place until a successor is appointed and confirmed.

Commission Responsibilities                                                 

One of RHDC’s primary duties is to review proposed exterior changes to buildings within the city’s designated historic districts, approved by local ordinance. This is done through a formal review process:

Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)

1. Property owners must submit a COA application for any proposed exterior alterations. 
   1. There are three application types that may be approved at the staff level, they are:
      1. Sign applications to include
         1. New Signs unless new permanent structures being attached to the building
         2. Replacements; and
         3. Window signage;
      2. Awning repairs / replacements
      3. Graffiti abatement, unless proposal is to paint over graffiti on an unpainted brick structure.
2. All other applications are reviewed at RHDC’s monthly meetings.
   1. Approvals with or without conditions are provided within 2 business days of the commission determination.
3. Permit Process
   1. Once the COA is approved, applicants may apply for a Building Permit or any additional permits that may be required through the Permitting Office.

RHDC is also responsible for:

• Conducting studies to identify and designate historic districts or sites within Russellville
• Recommending districts for National Register of Historic Places nomination to the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO)
• Coordinating with state and federal agencies to maintain Certified Local Government (CLG) status
• Attend trainings to stay current on historic preservation techniques and technologies.

Application Deadlines

• COA applications must be submitted by the application deadline noted here in order to be placed on that month's agenda.
• Apply using this application.
• For more details on submission requirements or meeting schedules, contact the Historic Preservation Officer (HPO), Sara Jondahl, AICP, by email.

Russellville Downtown Historic District

The Russellville Downtown Historic District was officially created by Ordinance 2023 on June 12, 2008, and has been revised through the following ordinances:

• Ordinance 2212 (October 15, 2015)
• Ordinance 2236 (March 24, 2016)
• Ordinance 2438 (November 17, 2022)

District Boundaries (Approximately bounded by): 

• East: Arkansas Avenue
• North: Union Pacific Railroad
• West: El Paso Avenue
• South: Second Street

Design Guidelines for the Downtown Historic District were adopted in August 2012 and serve as the foundation for RHDC decision-making, alongside the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

Current Initiative:

The Design Guidelines are undergoing a revision through a grant award by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP) and will be complete by August 2026. The revision will include guidance for the Residential District for information only, but may be helpful for properties undergoing renovations within residential areas of the community that are hoping to retain the historic fabric of their home.

Old Town Neighborhood National Register Historic District

The designation of the Old Town Neighborhood in Russellville, Arkansas, on the National Register of Historic Places represents a significant milestone in historic preservation for the community. This achievement was the result of a neighborhood driven initiative, supported by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP), the City of Russellville, and the Russellville Historic District Commission.

The concept for nominating Old Town to the National Register dates back to 2005 when then Mayor Raye Turner placed signage at the entrance to the neighborhood, officially designating it as "Old Town." This recognition sparked interest in preserving the neighborhood’s historic character, but it wasn’t until 2019 that formal discussions began. At that time, residents of Old Town brought their desire for official recognition to the Russellville Historic District Commission, initiating a collaborative process between the neighborhood, city staff, and AHPP to explore the feasibility of a National Register designation. Following this request, city staff applied for a grant to fund a professional survey of the neighborhood to determine whether sufficient historic fabric remained to justify creating a National Register Historic District, which confirmed the neighborhood’s eligibility.

Three community meetings were held to engage neighborhood residents in the discussion. Two of these meetings took place on the lawn of Suzanne Hodges’ home in Old Town, and the third was held at the historic Depot in Downtown Russellville. These meetings provided an opportunity for residents to learn about the National Register process, ask questions, and express their opinions about pursuing the designation. At the final meeting, AHPP conducted a vote among property owners to gauge support for the nomination. The results showed a strong majority, over 60%, in favor of moving forward with the listing. Encouraged by the neighborhood’s clear support, the City of Russellville applied for and received a second grant to hire a qualified consultant to prepare the formal nomination.

In early 2023, following rigorous research, documentation, and review, the Old Town Neighborhood was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This designation recognizes the neighborhood’s historical and architectural significance while providing opportunities for preservation incentives and protections. The successful listing of Old Town was made possible through the dedication of its residents, the support of AHPP, and two Certified Local Government (CLG) grants awarded to the City of Russellville.

The listing of the Old Town Neighborhood is a testament to the power of community led preservation efforts. This initiative not only honors the rich history of Russellville but also serves as a model for other communities seeking to preserve and celebrate their heritage. The collaboration between residents, local government, and preservation organizations ensured that Old Town’s unique character will be protected for future generations, maintaining its place as a cherished part of Russellville’s historical landscape.

District Boundaries (Approximately bounded by): 

• East: S Boulder Ave
• North: West 3^rd Street
• West: Half a block west of S Glenwood Ave
• South: Half a block south of West 8^th Street

Preservation Trades Local Resources

• Kendel Hern
• Cody Kurtzo

Interested in being listed?

• Submit your application to join the City’s Preservation Trades Local Resources List

Federal or State Tax Credit Consultants

• Amber Jones - Historic Preservation Tax Credit & Facade Easement Coordinator 501-607-0954
• Antoinette Johnson, PhD - Johnson Consulting: Historic Preservation & Interior Design 501-350-5931
• Elizabeth Rosin - Rosin Preservation LLC 816-472-4981
• Haley Wilcox - Ogee 469-751-7424
• Jennifer Herron, AIA - Herron Horton Architects 501-975-0052
• Lakresha Diaz - Historic Tax Credits Preparation 501-255-0839

These are all being listed as a service to help owners connect to professionals with experience in Federal and/or State Historic Preservation Tax Credits. The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program has experience working with these companies, none are being recommended.