NPS Fwm 10-WM loct 1990)

Vnited States Department af the Interior National Park Service

* OMS NO. 100lJ-0018

dtionaf Register of Historic Places -- Registration Form Thts form is Tor usc m nommanng or rrgutstinp dctcrmtnat~ons inr individual propernss and districts. Scs insmctions rn Howl to Con~p/ere rlre .+'n;orionnl Regis!er o f F ~ s ~ o r ! c Placer R q i s v n ~ ~ o n Form f ia t~ana l R q l s t a Bullrrin 16.4) Complete each llem by rnark~n~ "u"' !n the appropriate box or by entenng thc rnfomauon rqucsted. IF an Item d m not apply te the proper? bctng dccumcn~ed, enter "X1h" for "nol appl~cablc." For functions. architectural classrfica~mn, rnatenals. and axas o f s i p ~ f i c a n a mtm only catcgoncs and sukarepuncs fmm !he insmctioqs Placc add~t~onal cnmm and narrative Items on continuat~on sheets O P S Form IF-9303) I:sc a t m t c r , wwd processw. or computrr, ro c m p l e ~ all itern

1. Same of Pruperty

historic name Opal's Steak House

other namesbite number Quick Wash Coin Laundry

2. Location

strect & number 831 Park Avenue not for publication

city or !own Not Springs vicinity

state Arkansas code -4R counv Garland code 051 zip code 71901

3. Statefiederll Agency Certification

1 As the desimatcd authont). under the Nat~ovl Histonc Pmwanm .*I. z~ arnmdrci, I hexby certify that t h ~ s nom~nar~on 0 request fordeteIminacia?I of eIi$ibilit? meets the documtanon s+'andards iw re$stcring &es in the Nztional Repisrer o f Hisroric Places and rneetr r k procedural and pmfessimal qui-ts ser for in 36 CFR Pan W. In my optnioa. the p r o p q meets [7 dms no1 meet tk National Regism criteria I recommend that Ibis pr- be consid& agnifrcsnr

S~gnanrre of m ~ t - y n p of:icisl,7t:e

-4rkansas Historic Preservation Program State or Fedenl ~ . c y snd bureau

In my upmion, the proamty meets does not ml the Ka:~wnal Rqgsrer cnrena (u See C~?It~IIuahofl sheet for addlumal comments )

Signature of certifying ofliclaLTltle Date

State or Fedenl agency and bureau

4. Natinnal Park Service Certification

1 hereby certify that !he property 1s e n t c r d in Ue National Rqister.

~w continuation iheei dercrmined cligiblc for the

Nat~onal Register. Sec cWmiinuarion shcel

dttemlned not eligible for the Nationa! Register.

0 removed f m the National Register.

atha. (cxptin:)

Opal's Steak House Kame o f f'rcpcny

Garland Countv. Arkansas County and S t i l t

5. Classification

i vnership of Property Category of Property Kumber of Resources within Property wck as many boxes as app:~) (Chesi only one borr (Do not include prev~ously I~sted resources tn co~nt. 1

Q private

public-local

public-State

public-Federal

district

site

strtlcture

a object

Kame of related multiple property listing tEr ta "K, A" ~t'p'upestv ts not patr of a multrpte pmp* I~sting.)

Contributing Yoncontributing

1 0 buildtngs

0 0 sires

0 0 strucmres

0 0 obiects

I 0 Total

Yumber of Contributing resources previously listed in the National Register

Arkansas Highway and Transportation Era Architecture, 1910 - 1965

6. Function or Use

Historic Functions (Enter categwies from instmcrions)

Current Functions (Enter catrgones from instructions)

7. Description

Architcctural Classification Materials (Entcr ca~qoncs from ~nstnict~ons) (En:er categoncs fmm i m r ~ ~ o n s )

MODERV MOVEMEhTIModerne foundation CONCRETE

\valls BNCK

roof OTHEhTar Build-no

other

Narrative Description (Describe the hrstunc and cumnt condition of Ihe propcrryon one or m m continxttion sheets,)

ODal's Steak House Garland County, Arkansas C o u n v and State

8. Statement of Significance

f ~plicable 8ational Register Criferia Levels of Significance (locat, sta:e, national) ,ark "x" in one ar more boxes for the mtma qual~fyng thc properr). - LOCAL

fcr Nat~onal Register lircing.)

A Propem IS associated with events that have made a significanr contribution to the broad palterns of Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instruct~ons)

our hstory. ARCHITECTURE TRANSPORTATION

a E; Property is assaciated with the lives of persons significant in our past.

C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics o i a type, perjod, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack Period of Significance individual distinction. c. 1947-1954

D Property has yielded, ar is likely to yield, information important in prehstory or history.

Criteria Considemtions (Mark 'k" in all [he boxes that apply.)

PmperQ is: 7 A owned by a religious institution or used for

i religious purposes. >-p.

B removed from its origka1 location.

C. birthplace or grave of a hstoncal fiwe of outstanding mportance.

D a cemetew.

E a reconstructed buiIding, object, or structure.

F a commemwative property

G less than 50 years of age or acbeved significance within the past 50 years.

Significant Dates c. 1947

Significant Person {Complete if Criterion B is marked) N;.4

Cultural Affiliation (Complete if Criterion D is marked)

Karrative Statement of Significance (Expcplatn the srgnilicance of the properg on one or more continuation s k e G )

9. Major Bibliographi~a~ References

Bibliographv (Ciie the books, articles, and orh~r sources used in preparing this form on one or more continunt~on shcets.)

Previous documentation on file (PIPS): prelirmnary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested

previously listed in the National Register 1 P reviowly determined eligible by the National - Register a designared a National Historic Landmark Q recorded by Historic American Buildings Susvey

8 recorded by Historic American Engineering

Record #

Primary location of additional data: [XI State Historic Preservation Ofice

Other State Agency Federal Agency

[XI Local Government LTniversity Other

Name of repository: Garland County Historical Society

Opnl's Steak House Garland County. Arkansas Name or' Property County 2nc S w ~ c

10. Geographical Data

P :reage of Property* less than one

-

UT31 References {Place add*~~c#ml L'DI refrrences on a continuation sheet.)

1 I5 495502 3370683 Zone East~ng h'onh~ng

3 Zone East~ng h'urthing

4

See continuation sheet

Verbal Boundary Description S28 T2S R19U', Block 153, part of Lot 8, Hot Springs Reservation.

Boundary Justification The nominated property includes the entire parcel h~starically assaciated with Opal's Stcak House.

11. Form Preeared Ev

nameltitle Ralph S. Wilcox, National Register & S w e y Coordmator ! Bill Wiedower, Heiple 8: Wiedower, Architects

orsanization NFPP date September 19.2002

street & number 1500 Tower Buildinp. 323 Center Street telephone (501 ) 324-9757

city or tow- Little Rock state Arkansas zip code 7220 I

Additional Documentztion Suhnnt thc i o ld\%lng ~lvrnq urt5 tie complrrcd form

I

-<* ~ntinuation Sheets

>laps A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute seties) indicating the property's location

A Sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or nwnerous resources.

'Photographs

Regesentative black and white photographs of the property.

Additional items {Cbrr-k w t h the SHPO or FPO fwany additional itcms )

Property Owner (Corr.p erc rhis itcm at the request of SHPO w FPO.)

name Carroll Funderburk

street & number 127 Circle Drive teIephone (501) 623-6054

ci ty or t o w Hot Springs state Arkansas zip code 7 190 1

Paperwork Rrdurtlon Act Stalrmtnk This information is berng collccted for applications l o the Natlanal Register of Historic Places no nmlnate p-ies for list~ng or dc!erm~ne c l i g t b ~ l i ~ for 1is:in~. to list pmpemes and ro amend existine listing. Response to this request is r c q u ~ r d to obtain e benefit in accordaflce sirh !he N a r i a l l IIistonc Ptcservation .Act. as amended (16 L.S.C. 470 sf seq.)

'lmnted Burden Statemnt: Publ~c m i n e butden fw this f m i s estimated ro average 1%. 1 hours per resporrse includ~ng time Tor m i m v i g rnstmctions, Imqg and rnalnulnlng data. and cmplcting md rcwewing the farm. D l m t comments regarding this burdm estimate or m y 3spcct of h i s 1'm to the CLief,

?I6lmlnistrar~ve Servica Div~sion. ?4atmal Park Senice. P. 0 Box 371 27. Washrngton, DC 2001 3-71 2 7 , and the Office of Management and Budget. Papmork Reductions hjec t s ( 1 024-00 1 91. Waahlngton, DC 20303.

Ooal's Steakhouse N.~x of 9 ~ ~ p ~ r I v

Lnited States Department of the Interior i k n a l Park Service

L - - -

National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 7 Page 1-

Garland County. Arkansas Cow? ~ n d S:z:c

Opal's Steakhouse, now the Quick Wash Coin Laundry, is located at 8 71 Park Avenue in Hot Springs. It was built circa 1948 in the Ar€ Moderne style. It and he building next door were among the few .Art Moderne structures built on Park Avenue rvithin a two- to thee-year period. It has housed a number o f businesses over the years, but has maintained the majority of its originaI character.

Elaboration

The building that housed Opal's Steakhouse is a small, rectangular brick and stucco one-story structure. The front of the building is h~rned at an angle facing Park Avenue. This street-facing f a ~ a d e of Opal's Steakhause has horizontal windows, a horizontal brick soldier course above the windmvs and door. rno prqfecting horizontal brick bands above the soldier course, and a brick cap at the parapet. Both of he

-.tiers of the front facade are curved with an approximate three-foot radius. The original front door and '*T~ndows have been replaced. The two remaining exterior facades of the building are stucco, which

appears to be original. Both brick and stucco havc bccn painted a beige color.

The para?et at the roof of Opal's Steakhouse steps down about 6"' - 8" where the brick changcs ta srucco at the side, and continuts at that height until the rear of the building. "Shere is no parapet at the rear. Instead, the low-slopped roof extends 12" beyond the rear wall face and i s capped with a new al~iminurn qutter. u

On h e single exposed side facade, there i s a window in the first one-third of the side wall, and a door in the last one-third. There are also four horizontal vents approximately two feet below the parapet cap for venting of the attic space. Thc sear wall has two, steel, double-hung windows with eight-over-eight lights, which appear to be original.

The interior of Opal's Steakhouse has been altered over the years to accommodate the various businesses that have occupied the building. Virtually nothing of the original interior of Opal's remains today. There is no ornamentation from the original Art Modernc style.

The exterior of the building i s in good condition, and is currently occupied as a coin-operated laundry business. It is a fine example of the Art Maderne style and one o f the few to endure on Park Avenue.

Opal's Steamowe Name of P - o z q

United States Department of the Interior - Vational Park Service

National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 8 Page I

Garland Counv. Arkacsas Codnrl: and Sfatc

Summary

Opal's Steakhouse, circa 1948, is being nominated under Criterion C with local significance as the best example of an Art Modeme-style restaurant on Park Avenue in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is also being nominated under Criterion A for its associations with the development of tourist-related accommodations on Park Avenue in the first half of the hventieth-century. Although the building has accommodated numerous different businesses over the years since housing a restaurant, it has retained its historic character and defining stylistic elements.

Elaboration

Located at 871 Park Avenue, Opal's Steakhouse was built as the conversion from Iarge residential homes to commercial businesses aimed at automobile travelers began in the mid to late-,1930s and continued through the 1950s. Beginning with the completion of the paved Little Rock-Hot Springs highway (Hi~hway 70) in 1925, with Park Avenue being the finaI stretch into "the Spa City," residents of Hot Springs and Park Avenue saw an opportunity to "make a bucK' off the growing automobile traffic the highway guaranteed. Tn addition to being a convenient stop en route to Dallas, Texas, Hot Sprinss thrived as a tourist destination. Known primarily for the healing powers of the thermal waters that flowed from its hillsides, Hot Springs also boasted alligator and ostrich farms, a horse-racing mck, several theaters, and two amusement parks during its visitation peak. As a result, travejer services, including tourist courts, restaurants and eating establishments: and service stations, began appearing along Park Avenue because of i t s proximity to the highway, as well as Hot Springs' major attractions and entertainment venues.

The .4rt Moderne styling of Opal's Steakhouse is evident in its horizontal brick and stucco faqade. Horizontal windows and a curved front facade are also strong Art Modeme elements. The good exterior condition of the building and characteristic Art M a d m e detailing make it eligible for nomination to d ~ e National Register under Criterion C.

Opal's was constmcted between 1946-48, on the site of a previous eating establishment. It first appears on the 1948 and 1950 Sanborn Insurance Company Maps as a restaumt, before being cited in the 1951 Hot Springs City Directory. A name change in 1952 resulted in the Golden Drumstick Restaurant, which it remained until purchased and converted to a clothing store, used furniture store, and finally a coin-operated laundry. Obviously due to its variety of uses, the interior of the building has very little in common with the - originaI Opal's Steakhouse, However, with the exception of a replacement front door and front faqade window, the exterior has not undergone major aIterations. Because of this, Opal's Steakhouse i s eligible under Cri terf on C to be nominated to the KationaE Register.

Opal's Steakhouse N ~ r e uf T-~prt).

Garland Counrv. Arkansas Count! and State

United States Department of the Interior National Park Sewice

National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet seetiin number 8 Page 2

Unlike their tourist court neighbors on Park Avenue, eating establishments did not suffer because of the decline of tourism in Hot Springs by the early-1950s when medical advancements made drugs more readily available for ailments previously treated with thermal baths. resulting in lthe decline of visitors to the city. The population of Hot Springs continued to grow so that restaurants and eating establishments along Park Avenue were not affected to a very large degtee.

Statement of Significance

Opal's Steakhouse is being nominated under Criterion C as a fine example of the Art hloderne style. It is also being nominated under Criterion A for its associations with the development of tourist-related accommodations on Park Avenue in the first half of the twentieth-century. The nomination is being

i ;ubmitted under the multiple property Iisting "Arkansas Highway and Transportation Era Architecture, 1910-1965" in conjunction with the historic context "Arkaasas Highway History and Architecture, 191 0- 1965,"

Opal's Steakhouse Nzrre o i Property

United States Department of the Interior National Park Senrice

National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 9 Page 1

Garland County, Arkansas C o ~ n ry and Swtc

Bibliography

Baeder. John. Gas, Food. and Lod.Gnq: A Postcard Odyssey. Through the Great American Roadside. ?;rw York: Cross Rives Press, Ltd., 1 952.

Garland County Tax Records, 1 958 - 1953,2000 - 2001.

Interview with Jill Curran, Director, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, August 2003.

Interview with Cam11 Funderburk, owner of Quick Wash Coin Laundry, September 9.2003.

( htewiew with Bobbie Jones Mckan. Executive Director, Garland County Historical Society, August 2003.

Hot Springs City Directory, 1930, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1944,1948, 1951, 1953, 1955.

Liebs, Chester H. Main Street to Miracle Mile: American Roadside Architecture. Boston: Little. Brown and Company, 1985.

McAlester, Virginia and Lee. A Field Guide to American Houses. Net%* York: Alfied -4. KnopF, 1990.

Sanbom Insurance Company Maps - 1938, 1950.