VAN BUREN, CRAWFORD COUNTY, ARKANSAS - MY ADOBTED BOYHOOD HOME

Photo in 2001 looking down Main Street.

Van Buren's iconic landmark, the old Crawford County Bank building at N. 7th Street and Main. This photo was taken in 2001 when it was the home to a nice restaurant

Another iconic landmark in Van Buren, the old Missouri-Pacific railroad depot in 2001.

Van Buren in the 1870's looking north towards what is today the intersection of Main Street and State Highway 59. The "Graphic" was a newspaper.

A view south-west along Main probably in the 1880's.

The grand opening of the First National Bank, date unknown. I assume this building was on Main Street, but I am not sure it is still standing.

February 1889 at the intersection of today's Main Street and Highway 59. The building on the left with the "Tom Keene" sign is the same one as in first picture above with the "Historic Van Buren" signage. The building at the far left was destroyed decades ago when a run-away semi lost its brakes coming down Log Town Hill (Hy 59).

This picture is from around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The old Crawford County Bank building on the right.

This is from 1912 looking northeast towards the depot.

Main Street in the 1930's.

A 1940's post card picture of the Bob Burns movie theater. Today it is the restored King Opera House. Bob Burns was the famous radio and movie comedian in the 1930's who was born and reared in Van Buren.

A WWII parade down Main Street. The photo is captioned as the Jesse Turner parade.

My brother and sister-in-law in Van Buren in 2001. The old Citizens Bank on the far left.

Several decades ago the facades of buildings along Main Street were remodled to resemble their appearances in the 1890's. This was the old Bob Burns theater.

A view up Main Street. Most of the stores along Main are now gift shops, antique stores and rumage stores.

Main Street in 2001.

Bob Burns' home. This photo is probably from the 1950's or 60's. I cannot remember precisely where it was located, but is was not too far south of Main Street. I am uncertain that it still stands.

The picturesque Crawford County Courthouse in 2001, located at the southwest end of Main Street.

Ronald N. Wall

Added: 17 August 2020