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Picture the moment. You are wearing your sunglasses, step out of the cutest downtown boutique, and gaze at a neoclassical, historically ornate courthouse as a soft, warm breeze carries the scent of coffee and fresh-baked scones your way. You look left, then right, before carefully crossing the brick-lined street along the historic path before you. Something hits you. History surrounds you, yet you are equally immersed in modern amenities, shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Yep, you are on a downtown street or square in Arkansas, and Main Street Arkansas and the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program are helping make moments like this possible.
Main Street Revitalizes Arkansas Communities
Rooted in historic preservation, the Main Street Four-Point Approach™ was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1980 to preserve historic commercial architecture and strengthen the fabric of American communities.
Arkansas joined the National Main Street Network in 1984, and the following year, five cities joined the statewide network through a competitive application process. Since then, communities across the state have continued to invest in the elements that make their downtowns special: distinctive architecture, entrepreneurial spirit, robust staffing, walkable streets, and a unique sense of place.
Today, Main Street Arkansas strengthens and preserves historic downtowns and Main Street districts statewide by providing technical assistance, financial resources, and ongoing education to local programs. Volunteers and community leaders continue to dedicate countless hours to preserving community gathering spaces and helping downtown districts remain vibrant places to live, work, shop, and explore.
The Main Street Arkansas designation remains a highly valued and sought-after recognition for Arkansas communities. During the latest biennial reporting period, Main Street Arkansas communities reported more than $124 million in investment for renovations, rehabilitation, and new construction projects in 2023 and 2024. Communities also recorded nearly 1,000 net new jobs, along with hundreds of facade renovations, public improvement projects, and building rehabilitations focused on long-term downtown revitalization.
Main Street Arkansas Communities and Downtown Networks
Siloam Springs | Designated Main Street Program
Siloam Springs was an early member of the Main Street Arkansas program and has remained committed to the economic development of the Main Street area while enhancing downtown’s historic character. Over time, more than $3.7 million was invested in networked businesses, funding facade improvements, building rehabilitation, public area improvements, and public art installations, including a downtown mural created by elementary school student artists.
SOMA 501 | Associate Program
The SOMA (South Main) District in Little Rock is a thriving example of a neighborhood that blends food culture, local business, and historic preservation. From dirt roads and horse-drawn carriages to periods of decline after highway expansion, SOMA has transformed into a family-friendly, walkable district filled with restaurants, coffee shops, art spaces, and local landmarks such as Community Bakery, Green Corner Store, Midtown Billiards, and the ESSE Purse Museum, the only museum of its kind in the country.
Dumas | Designated Main Street Program
Built around a historically designated commercial district that still bears the names of its original owners, Dumas is a town deeply connected to the farming history of southern Arkansas. In 2016, Dumas also became a Certified Local Government community through a partnership between the National Park Service and the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. In addition to supporting downtown partnerships and revitalization efforts, Main Street Dumas manages the Dumas Area Arts Council, Farmer’s Market, and Billy Free Memorial Park.
Searcy | Designated Main Street Program
Main Street Searcy has become a statewide example of how consistent events and community engagement can energize a downtown district. The organization helped attract the Small Business Revolution television series, hosted major community events, and continues to organize activities such as farmers’ markets, art pop-ups, trick-or-treating events, and Get Down Downtown. The district also partners with property owners and local organizations to improve historic buildings, preserve community landmarks, and expand access to public spaces.
El Dorado | Designated Main Street Program
Main Street El Dorado is one of Arkansas’s strongest examples of how preservation, the arts, and walkability can transform a downtown. Anchored by restored historic buildings and linked to attractions such as the Murphy Arts District, downtown El Dorado has become a vibrant corridor offering dining, entertainment, public art, and shopping. Through continued investment in beautification, local business growth, and community spaces, the district blends Arkansas history with modern energy and fun for locals and visitors alike.
Paragould | Designated Main Street Program
Main Street Paragould has focused on building a downtown centered on community gathering and historic preservation. A former power plant has been transformed into a popular venue for weddings, concerts, events, and the local farmer’s market, helping make the downtown a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike. In 2025, the downtown added five new businesses and four new murals, continuing its investment in public art, walkability, and downtown revitalization.
quote – Entrepreneurs have been the backbone of the American economy for 200 years … Main Street seeks to create an environment where it’s easier for these businesses to get off the ground, increasing their likelihood of success. – Patrice Frey, President and CEO of National Main Street Center, Inc.
Different Ways Communities Can Participate
Main Street Arkansas now offers three levels for communities interested in joining the movement: Network, Associate, and Designated Programs. Each level enables communities to participate in ways that best fit their size, goals, staffing, and local needs.
Network Level communities are often exploring the Main Street approach for the first time or may focus primarily on events and community engagement. These organizations receive access to Main Street America and statewide informational resources.
Associate Level programs are communities actively working toward designated status. These districts typically have part-time staff, volunteer leadership, and growing revitalization efforts focused on long-term downtown development.
Designated Level programs meet Main Street America’s foundational criteria and receive the full suite of Main Street Arkansas services, including technical visits, retail analysis, consulting support, and one-on-one guidance from preservation and downtown development professionals.
Pioneering businesses, historic preservation, community gathering spaces, and local leadership continue to work together to help Arkansas downtowns thrive.
Learn More and Connect
- Main Street Arkansas
- Main Street Grants | Public Art Program and Downtown Revitalization Grants
- Main Street Technical Assistance | Consulting, Interior and Exterior Design, Ongoing Training
Unless otherwise noted, images were provided by Main Street Arkansas.
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[…] Last year, Arkansas hosted 32.4 million visitors, with 12.6 million staying overnight. Some were families seeking weekend destinations, and others were cyclists looking for world-class trails. Some came to drop a student off at a university, and others looked for historic preservation among small-town Main street communities. […]
[…] Little Switzerland.” All of this references the unique landscape of the historic downtown area stacked on the side of a mountain. Eureka Springs makes the perfect fall destination as a town […]
[…] it the “world leader in rain-grown cotton.” Today, historic sites and museums, downtown squares, and mercantiles continue to give visitors a glimpse of life when dirt streets were host to trading […]
[…] a vital role in the state’s history. In many cases, they are cornerstone monuments that hold Main Street and downtown areas together, even growing businesses for thriving communities. For some of these smaller towns across […]
[…] Walk a Main Street […]
[…] opportunity to support local businesses, foster new interests and create lasting memories together. Main Street districts often host downtown extended hours or live music nights, where local businesses partner or stay […]
[…] Main Street and downtown districts across Arkansas truly shine during the holiday season. Picture this: strolling through streets adorned with magical lights, catching the scent of cider simmering from morning to evening, and hearing the cheerful melodies of carolers—all just steps away from your town square or within a short drive from your own Christmas tree. […]
[…] to mind: The Duck and Rice Capital of the World. This small Delta town might not have the busy main streets or boutique-lined squares of other places, but what it offers is much more enduring: heritage, […]
[…] The very first place I would start? Your town square or Main Street District. […]
[…] of that work is happening through Arkansas Main Street and Downtown Network programs, which help communities preserve the character of their downtowns while also supporting […]