Texarkana, Arkansas, is where the past meets the pavement. This distinctive border town is rich with historic buildings that tell stories of timber booms, railroads, grand architecture, and the people who shaped the region.
While many of the city’s landmark structures are still in use or privately owned, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them. In fact, most are ideal for a relaxed, self-guided drive-by tour. Many of these landmarks are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, honored for their architecture, cultural significance, and the roles they’ve played in Texarkana’s unfolding story. You can explore them at your own pace—no set route, just a chance to see history where it happened.
If you like discovering places with character—where history’s tucked into every corner—Texarkana won’t disappoint.
Residential Landmarks
Texarkana’s historic homes offer a glimpse into its Gilded Age prosperity and 20th-century transition. These private residences aren’t open to the public, but they are easily admired from the sidewalk or your car window. The neighborhoods are peaceful, the craftsmanship unmatched, and the backstories fascinating.
Augustus M. Garrison House
Built in 1895, this Queen Anne masterpiece features a dramatic wraparound porch, spindlework, and a three-story turret. Once home to prominent attorney Augustus Garrison, it’s one of the city’s most picturesque private homes. Easily admired from the street. 600 Pecan St., Texarkana, AR
J. K. Wadley House
This ornate 1895 mansion belonged to lumber and railroad magnate J. K. Wadley. Its onion-domed turret and deep wraparound porches are signature Queen Anne. Once a bed and breakfast, it’s now a private home. A must-see from the sidewalk. 618 Pecan St., Texarkana, AR
Bottoms House
Designed by Bayard Witt for lumberman George Bottoms in 1910, this house blends Prairie School, Tudor, and Craftsman elements. Its layered design and raised corner lot make it a standout on Hickory Street. 500 Hickory St., Texarkana, AR
Dean House
A classic 1911 Colonial Revival with a commanding portico, wraparound porches, and a porte-cochère. Built for Thomas Mercer Dean, it’s a crown jewel of the Beech Street Historic District. Private, but photogenic. 1520 Beech St., Texarkana, AR
Kittrell House
Designed by Charles L. Thompson, this early 1900s American Foursquare home is understated elegance. Ionic columns, a hipped roof, and a lovely raised lot. Quiet, classic, and well preserved. 1103 Hickory St., Texarkana, AR
Mullins Court
Texarkana’s first Colonial Revival apartment complex, built in 1928. The U-shaped brick building still functions as private residences but is easy to admire for its symmetry and distinctive brickwork. 605 Hickory St., Texarkana, AR
Historic Districts & Streets
Sometimes the best way to understand a city is to drive its neighborhoods. These historic districts capture the spirit of Texarkana’s rise, from red brick streets to clusters of homes that reflect changing styles and community growth.
Beech Street Historic District
This district between 14th and 24th Streets features Craftsman, Colonial Revival, and Tudor-style homes set beneath leafy canopies. It’s perfect for a slow cruise or a quiet stroll. None of the homes are open to the public, but the architectural diversity makes for excellent sightseeing. Along Beech Street between 14th and 24th Streets
Beech Street Brick Street
Laid around 1904, this surviving stretch of brick pavement is one of the last in the city. You can drive it—yes, really—and get a feel for how travel once felt. It pairs beautifully with the historic homes lining the street. In the Beech Street Historic District
East Broad Street Historic District
This compact commercial strip near the railroad showcases Texarkana’s early business core. Look for the O’Dwyer and Ahern Building (c.1886) as a standout. While not open to the public, it’s great for sidewalk views and photographs. 100 block of East Broad Street
Civic & Government Buildings
These landmarks show Texarkana at work—from county courthouses to a building that literally spans two states. Some offer public access; others are better appreciated from outside. All reflect the city’s civic pride.
Miller County Courthouse
A 1939 WPA Moderne-style building with clean lines and a strong presence. Still in use and open during weekday hours. Pop inside to appreciate the design up close. 400 Laurel Street, Texarkana, AR
U.S. Post Office & Courthouse
This landmark straddles the Arkansas-Texas border, offering a rare chance to stand in two states at once. Built in 1933, it blends Beaux Arts and early Art Deco. The post office is open to the public. State Line Avenue (Between 5th and 6th Streets, straddling Arkansas and Texas)
Texarkana Union Station
Opened in 1930, this still-active Amtrak station also sits on the state line. While interior access is limited to train schedules, the exterior is photo-ready and worth a visit. State Line Avenue between Front Street and 3rd
Texarkana Municipal Building
Built between 1927 and 1930, this Gothic–Art Deco civic building originally housed a city auditorium, jail, and fire station. Still in use. Best appreciated from the sidewalk or during business hours. Walnut and 3rd Streets, Texarkana, AR
Commercial & Industrial Icons
Texarkana’s economy grew alongside the railroads, and these preserved commercial buildings reflect the work, trade, and innovation that once powered the city. Some are now lofts or restaurants, offering a blend of old and new.
Buhrman–Pharr Hardware Company Historic District
Two towering warehouses from 1914 and 1923 that once served as major distribution centers. Now loft apartments. Not open to the public, but the brickwork and scale make for great viewing from East 3rd Street. 3rd Street, between Laurel and Ash Streets
Hopkins Feed and Seed Store (Hopkins Icehouse)
Originally a German car dealership, then a seed store, now a lively bar and grill. One of the few places on this list where you can go inside. Preserved brick and a community vibe make it a favorite stop. 301 East 3rd Street, Texarkana, AR
Ritchie Grocery Building / 1894 City Market
This Romanesque Revival structure is now a gallery, event space, and loft development. You can go in to browse art or attend events, making it one of the city’s most accessible adaptive reuse projects. Corner of Front and Olive Streets, Texarkana, AR
Wallace Adams Service Station
Texarkana’s last surviving 1920s gas station. A small but mighty reminder of the city’s car culture. Located at 523 East 3rd Street. Great for photos, not open to the public. 523 East 3rd Street, Texarkana, AR
Religious & Cultural Sites
From spiritual centers to sites tied to iconic American figures, these landmarks highlight Texarkana’s diverse heritage and cultural legacy.
Canaan Baptist Church
Built in 1929 for a congregation founded in 1883, this Colonial Revival-style church remains central to the city’s African-American community. View from the sidewalk; services still held regularly. Junction of Laurel and 10th Streets, Texarkana, AR
Orr School
The only surviving Texarkana structure linked to Scott Joplin. This modest wooden schoolhouse isn’t open to the public, but it offers a meaningful stop for music lovers and historians alike. 831 Laurel Street, Texarkana, AR
Old Rondo Cemetery
Located northeast of town, this peaceful site contains the graves of 85 Confederate soldiers who died in 1862. The monument and cemetery offer a sober reflection on a complicated chapter of American history. Respectful visitors are welcome. Junction of McClure Road (County Road 125) and Cobb Lane, northeast of Texarkana
Conclusion
Texarkana’s history isn’t tucked away in museums or behind velvet ropes. It’s right there—on front porches, in courthouse shadows, along brick streets worn smooth by a hundred years of weather and wheels. Some buildings are still buzzing with life. Others just sit quietly, holding on to the stories they’ve already told.
You don’t need a map or a guide to find it. Just take your time. Drive a little slower. Look a little closer. Whether you’re rolling down State Line Avenue or easing onto Beech Street’s old brick stretch, you’ll feel it—this town still remembers. And if you’re willing to notice, it just might share something you didn’t expect.
