61st Tour of Homes-Argenta Historic District
Quapaw Quarter Association hosts 62st Tour of Homes in Argenta Historic District
Tour took place Saturday-Sunday, May 9 & 10, 2026
This year, our 61st Tour of Homes was held in the historic Argenta neighborhood in downtown North Little Rock. Argenta welcomed guests as they toured a total of twelve historic properties across all of the weekend's events. The QQA hosted the Candlelight Dinner and Auction at the Sanctuary at Argenta, and a Mother’s Day Brunch at the E.O. Manees House. Hydco Construction shared their newly renovated headquarters, the old North Little Rock Electric Building for the QQA to use as our check-in location. Guests were able to tour the building and were then whisked around Argenta by a swift fleet of golf carts driven by QQA volunteers. Photos from the weekend can be found on our facebook page, here. If you haven't downloaded your photos from our Brunch selfie-station, you can see those here.
Get to Know the Neighborhood
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993, the Argenta Historic District has played a central role in the revival of downtown North Little Rock. This area has evolved into a cohesive and thriving district that honors its heritage while embracing new life. Today, the district encompasses the heart of the city’s early residential and commercial development, with boundaries stretching from Melrose Circle and 9th Street to the north, N. Broadway to the west, W. 4th Street to the south, and the railroad tracks along Main Street to the east.
The transformation of Argenta over the past few decades is nothing short of inspiring. From just over half of its 172 properties meeting National Register standards in 1993, the district has grown—through dedicated preservation efforts and community investment—to include 258 properties, with more than 80 percent now contributing to its historic integrity. As noted by late preservationist and author of the original Historic District nomination, Sandra Taylor Smith, Argenta’s buildings “strongly retain their integrity of location, design, workmanship and materials,” creating an authentic sense of time and place. Tree-lined residential streets blend seamlessly with the energy of Main Street’s commercial corridor, offering visitors a rich and immersive experience.
Daytime Tour properties
Guests with tickets to the Daytime Tour of Homes were welcomed into 7 historic properties across the district. From the oldest recognized home in the district, to a brand new restoration, this tour highlighted preservation in all stages to guests.
Built c. 1955
Owner: HydCo Construction
House Captain: Callie Williams
The North Little Rock Electric Building was completed in 1955 by contractor J. E. Pyle based on a design developed by the architectural firm of Swaim and Allen. This purpose-built municipal building served as the headquarters for the city electrical utility until 2012. The building was recently purchased by Hydco, Inc, a local general contractor firm specializing in construction management and design-build projects. The Hydco, Inc. firm was founded in 1987 by Barry Hyde and is now run by son Jeremy Hyde. This structure has just undergone a major renovation project to repurpose this building into Hydco’s headquarters as well as commercial rental space while still retaining original mid-century modern features such as the terrazzo floors and the curvilinear corner stair.
Built c. 1920
Owner: John Crow
House Captain: Angela Mathews
This house was built in c. 1920 possibly by Mr. Modeste Rapillard and his wife Mary. The Rapillards owned a grocery business on Main Street and lived above the grocery store. In 1919, the Rapillards purchased this corner lot and built this craftsman cottage as a rental house. A few years later, they built the brick home at the northeast corner of 7th and Maple Streets where they would live for several decades. The first know renters of this property were Charles and Edith Nahlen, who lived here with their daughter Dorthy and brother Joe Nahlen. Charles was a cashier and a bookkeeper for various businesses. The home continued to be a rental house for several decades. The current owner renovated the house, adding a second bathroom and rear entry space about 5 years ago. Today, the property is available to rent as a short-term rental.
Built c. 1886
Owners: Gary & Ann Clements
House Captain: Kelly Lyon
The oldest building on our tour this year (and the 2nd oldest left in North Little Rock), the Barth-Hempfling House was built by German Immigrants during the late 1880s. This house would have been originally surrounded by farmland, well outside the core of the city along the Arkansas River. The structure features an early vernacular hall and parlor and central passage interior layout as well as Queen Anne Style decorative elements along its beautiful open front porch. The Barth and Hempfling families and their children would live in the home until the 1980s. This included Anna Hempfling, who lived in this home from her birth in 1899 until moving to Little Rock in 1985. Gene Pfeiffer then purchased the property and restored it, opening it up for commercial use for several non-profits. Today, the property is owned by the Clements family and houses Clements Architecture.
Built c. 1897
Owner: Stacy Kirkpatrick
House Captain: Myranda Randle
Completed in 1897 by Albert E. Colburn, the large Queen Anne Style House now known as The Baker has been a landmark in downtown Argenta for more than a century. Colburn was a local jeweler and businessman who owned several properties on this block. In 1901 a fire destroyed most of his business on the surrounding block and damaged parts of this house. The financial blow was too much, and he sold the home and property to George Davidson and his family. The house served as the Davidson home as well as a boarding house, with as many as twenty boarders living on site at one time. In 1916, the house was sold to the Cadmus J. Baker family. The Baker’s would also rent out rooms in the house until they sold the home to Dr. Hampton Roy Sr. in 1977. By the 1970s, the house had seen better days. Dr. Roy Sr., a renowned ophthalmologist and local historian, invested in significant restoration work, bringing the house back to its original glory. The house is now an Airbnb style hotel and event venue featuring a new partnership with Ease Supper Club. The interior features rare original curly heart pine trim and doors throughout the house.
Built c. 1923
Owner: Susan and Robert Markman
House Captain: James Wethington
This house was built in c. 1923 with a craftsman bungalow exterior and older Greek Revival Style trim throughout the interior. The earliest known owner of the house was Andrew V. Tolbert, a brakeman for the Missouri Pacific Railroad and a World War I veteran. Andrew had married Elva Manees, daughter of E. O. Manees, in 1920. Sadly, Elva passed away in childbirth in 1923 shortly after she and Albert had moved into the new home. Andrew would continue to live here until 1935, moving out shortly after his divorce from his second wife. The house continued to be rented by railroad workers for decades. In 1993 the house was renovated and brought up to code by the Argenta Community Development Corporation (CDC). This was one of more than 65 properties in downtown North Little Rock that were renovated to continue to serve as safe and affordable housing and business space by the Argenta CDC. This local group succeeded in saving the historic character of the neighborhood while also boosting property values and fostering community engagement. The current owners have continued to maintain and renovate the property with the help of Historic Tax Credits.
Built c. 1909
Owner: Paula and Mark Cardillo
House Captain: Antoinette Johnson
The Louis & Anna Wojhoski House is a recently renovated and restored example of a c. 1909 Colonial Revival house with 1930s Craftsman additions. Louis and Anna both immigrated from Poland in the 1880s as children and eventually married in Argenta in 1909. By 1913, Louis and Anna are living at this address, with Louis’s mother, also named Anna, living across the street at 309 West 7th Street. The Wojhoski family would grow to include three children, who were raised in this home. The Wojhoski family continued to live here until 1958. The house would then go through a series of owners before being heavily damaged by 2 major fires over the last few decades after sitting empty for several years. The house has just undergone a major rehabilitation restoring the house and updating the interior services. The current owners were able to save this home with the help of Architect Ed Sargent, Contractor Jeff Lewis, and Interior Designer and Historic Preservation Consultant Antoinette Johnson with Johnson Consulting; bringing the house back from the brink to serve a new generation. The extensive work on this property was made financially possible in large part to State and Federal Historic Tax Credits.
Built c. 1913
Owners: Charlie & Elizabeth Hart
House Captain: Patricia Blick
Built in 1913, this house is an example of the uncommon Dutch-Colonial Revival Style. Possibly built as a rental property, this was the home of local railroad workers for several years. Benjamin Farmer, a railroad conductor, moved into the house during the early 1920s. He and his family would live here for the rest of his life. During the 1980s, the house later served as the home of Norman Brooks, a former railroad clerk and Marine Corp veteran who helped to found the Boosters for a Better Downtown North Little Rock in 1991. This was one of several groups who worked to preserve the historic fabric of Argenta while also promoting the area to new residents and business. Today, we see the fruits of those labors in the immense growth and beautiful historic streetscapes of Argenta. This house was renovated and restored by Robin and Lynn Murphy in 2006-2007. In 2011, Charlie Hart and his wife Elizabeth Mayfield-Hart fell in love with this house and its neighborhood at first sight and continue to enjoy its historic charm.
Candlelight Tour & Dinner Properties
Ticket holders enjoyed a tour of four iconic properties within Argenta, with champagne and appetizers along the way. Guests enjoyed the peaceful front porch and expertly decorated house at 412 W. 5th Street, experienced city skylines from the Argenta Place rooftop, and found a hidden oasis in the heart of the city at the Owen’s Funeral Home. Featured on both the Candlelight Tour and the Daytime Tours was one of Argenta's most legendary examples of historic preservation at The Baker. Dinner was served at The Sanctuary at Argenta where diners enjoyed music from the Accidental Trio, a silent auction that was well fought over, and a decadent dinner to round off the night.
Built c. 1917
Owner: Nicki Nicolo
House Captain: Megan O’Connel
This house was built by Lucien and Marie Cornil and their family starting in 1916. Completed in 1917, this home is an example of an American Foursquare type of construction, which features a characteristically square façade with a large front porch. On the inside, the plan historically featured 4 rooms per floor, and this house generally follows that plan. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cornil were immigrants from Belgium who had moved to Little Rock Arkansas by the early 1900s where Lucien Cornil worked as a machinist for the railroad. Son, Frank Cornil, would return from service in World War I to live here with his family, and daughter, Louise, was married in the house in 1922. This house was purchased by the current owners in 2021. With the help of State Historic Tax Credits, the current owner has invested in replacing the foundation and worked on repairs throughout the house to ensure it survives for another 100 years.
Built 2007
Owners: Argenta Place POA
The Argenta Place building was developed in the early 2000s by the New Argenta Fund Project led by John Gaudin. The building was completed in 2007 and contains residential condos, office space, retail and restaurant space. Today the building is owned and operated by Nabholz Properties Inc. Access to this private rooftop this evening was made possible by the Property Owners Association of the building.
This property is a great example of compatible infill within an historic district. The building fits into the existing wall of commercial buildings along the Main street corridor. The brickwork and trim, while not an exact replica of historical styles, pays homage to the original buildings that historically lined Argenta’s Main street.
Built c. 1928
Owner: Hardin & Grace Law
House Captain: Bob Hardin
In 1911, Robert T Owens started Owens & Ricks, undertakers, in downtown Argenta. By 1917, Robert and his wife Judith became the owners of the business and renamed it Owens & Company, undertakers. Mr. and Mrs. Owens soon moved their business to 312 Main Street. The company continued to grow and invested in automobiles to serve as ambulances and hearses as well as an onsite telegraph service. By the mid-1920s, the Owens purchased this corner lot at 5th and Main in North Little Rock and started work on a brand new, state of the art funeral home. The new Owens Funeral Home was opened on June 5th, 1928, and featured a large chapel for services, a large showroom for caskets and memorials, and a purpose-built embalming room. The property also included two large 2nd floor apartments for staff to live onsite to offer 24 hours service. The Owens Funeral Home served the community until the business was sold in the late 1970s. The property then went through several owners, before it was purchased in the early 2000s by a group of businessmen who recognized the value of this historic building and invested in repairing and renovating the space to serve as offices. The 2nd floor apartments were also renovated to serve as living space once again. Mr. and Mrs. Hardin, part owners of the building, continue to live and work here, in the heart of downtown Argenta.
First Presbyterian Church of North Little Rock
now The Sanctuary at Argenta
Built c. 1902
Additions c. 1953
The original building was a small sanctuary, built in 1902 to accommodate the newly formed Argenta Presbyterian Church. That original section can still be seen in one wing of the church, though it looks very different to what it used to. Over time the congregation grew and Argenta changed around it. During the early 1950s, the church hired architect John Park Almand to design a new sanctuary. Almand had already become a prominent local architect, designing all types of buildings including Little Rock Central High School and First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock as well as more than 50 churches around the state. He designed a modern interpretation of the Gothic Revival Style for this church which featured a steeply pitched roof and pointed-arch windows. He also included a new arcade of gothic archways to tie the new and old buildings together on the site. The first service in the new sanctuary was held on August 22, 1954. Almand returned in 1957 and designed an educational annex addition on the north side of the courtyard. Finally, a kitchen and fellowship hall was added in 1963. Today, the site operates as an event rental space, while still accommodating an active congregation.
Mother's Day Brunch at the historic E. O. Manees House
The QQA partnered with Ease Supper Club at the E. O. Manees house Mother's Day 2026 for a delectable Brunch. Florals filled the space and the pink and green table clothes created a fun but classy spring atmosphere. Brunch guests were greeted at the Manees house with a bottomless mimosa and bloody mary bar. Seating for brunch was family style, which gets guests chatting with each other and fostering connections. A photo stand was set up for guests to document the moment! Props were provided and the camera was flashing as familys, friends, and our wonderful catering staff had phone with the photo stand, and you were sent home with a photo strip of the pictures! Brunch guests were invited to arrive on their own time between 11am and noon. Brunch tickets included access to our Tour of Homes Day Tour locations, which included 7 homes in the Argenta Historic District.
Built c. 1895
The E. O. Manees house was originally built by Solon Humphrey in 1895 and purchased by Elmer Olonzo Manees and his wive Alma in 1908. The Manees family eventually included eight children, necessitating a remodeling of the house in 1920 to enclose original sleeping porches and widening the front porch and adding two large doric columns to the front facade. E. O. Manees was a well-known local businessman and civic leader, running the Manees Dry Goods Company in Argenta for nearly 50 years as well as serving on the local school board and county quorum court. The house was sold to the city of North Little Rock in 1943 and was used as city offices for several decades. In 2016, the home was purchased by Allen Engstrom, who renovated and restored the house and grounds. Today, the house is run as a wedding and event venue by Hayden Finley.
In memoriam
Sandra Taylor Smith was the power house historian behind the Argenta Historic District, was a founding board member of the Argenta Community Development Corporation, and also served as the longtime director of the North Little Rock History Commission. During the 1990s, after decades of decline followed by Urban Renewal fueled destruction across the downtown area of North Little Rock, locals pushed for re-investment in Argenta. Sandra’s dedication to the importance of preserving local history resulted in the Argenta Historic District’s listing in the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. Sandra fought for the Historic district to include both residential and commercial structures. The revitalization of Downtown Argenta was just one of Sandra’s preservation achievements.
Across the state, preservation efforts in many communities benefited from Sandra’s knowledge and dedication to research. In recognition of her lifetime of work preserving the history of the state, Sandra was awarded the Quapaw Quarter Association’s Jimmy Strawn Preservation Leadership Award and Preserve Arkansas’s Parker Westbrook Lifetime Achievement Award. She served on the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Alliance, volunteered as a tour guide for the Quapaw Quarter Association Tour of Homes, Co-Chaired the QQA Christmas Potpourri Tour, was an Ex-Officio Board Member of the Argenta Leadership Council, served as President of the Pulaski County Historical Society Board of Directors, and was a Board of Directors member of the Friends of the Old Mill.
Her efforts not only helped jump-start the rehabilitation of the Argenta neighborhood in North Little Rock, but also affected communities throughout Arkansas.
The Tour of Homes is made possible thanks to our dedicated volunteer planning committee, support from our membership and neighbors, and the sponsors that support our mission.
Thank you to our sponsors that made this year such a success!
The Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Thank you Ryan Stephens Group for being our Neighborhood Sponsor. Check out their website here!
Thank you UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture, Williams & Dean Architecture, Preserve Arkansas, HydCo Construction, Mike Metzler, American Structure Inc., and Attorney General Tim Griffin for being our Street Sponsors. Check out their website by clicking on each business name.
Thank you Centennial Bank, Williams & Dean Architecture, The Blick Family, Clements & Associates, Johnson Consulting, J. Lewis Construction, Sallie Peay House, Bray Sheet Metal, Engel & Volkers, American Structure INC., and North Little Rock Tourism for sponsoring our Houses! Check out their website by clicking on each business name.
Thank you Argenta Thrive, Chester Nests, and Joe & Susan Burkett for sponsoring our Tour Buggy Stops!
Thank you Downtown Dwellings, Little Rock Kickball Association, Evo Business Environments, Argenta Thrive, Taylor King Law, and Quapaw Home and Garden Club for sponsoring a Golf Cart! Check out their website by clicking on each business name.
Thank you Brian Minyard Constulting for being a supporting sponsor of this tour