The Harris and Horsfall Historic District at the University of Arkansas at Monticello has officially been added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing two of the campus’s most historic buildings for their architectural and historical significance.
According to the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, the designation acknowledges Harris Hall and Horsfall Hall as structures worthy of preservation because of their important role in the university’s history and their distinctive architectural design.
Built in 1933 during the Great Depression, the two buildings were constructed with support from the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, a federal agency created in 1932 under President Herbert Hoover to provide emergency funding and stimulate the economy. The project created jobs for local residents while expanding the university’s campus. The agency served as a precursor to the Public Works Administration, which later helped fund several additional UAM buildings.
The historic district includes Harris Hall and Horsfall Hall, which were originally built as student residences. Harris Hall was named for C.T. Harris, a member of the board of trustees for the Arkansas Fourth District State Agricultural School, now the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and opened as an all-male dormitory. Horsfall Hall was named in honor of Margaret Horsfall, wife of the school’s first president, Frank Horsfall, and served as an all-female dormitory. Both buildings were completed in November 1933.
Designed by Little Rock architect A.N. McAninch, the buildings showcase Tudor Revival architecture, a style that later influenced the design of several other campus buildings, including the university’s current Music Building. The structures feature steeply pitched gabled roofs, tall, narrow windows and cut-stone foundations. McAninch also incorporated sandstone exteriors in a broken ashlar pattern, giving the buildings a distinctive appearance while maintaining the Tudor Revival aesthetic.
Although the original windows have been replaced, Harris Hall and Horsfall Hall continue to retain much of their historic character through multiple renovations and preservation efforts.
Today, Harris Hall serves as office space, while Horsfall Hall remains the university’s only all-female residence hall. Despite decades of updates, both buildings continue to reflect their original 1933 design and remain enduring landmarks on the UAM campus.
The National Register designation highlights the buildings’ lasting contribution to the university and recognizes their place in Arkansas history as examples of New Deal-era construction and early 20th-century collegiate architecture.
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