Upon the creation of Conway County in 1825, the Cadron settlement (about 15 miles down the Arkansas River to the east) served as the initial seat of government. After several moves, the county seat was finally established in Morrilton in 1883. Frank W. Gibb, an architect from Arkansas, created the current courthouse, which was finished in 1929 after the previous one burned down in 1927.
Although there are elements of the Green and Roman styles, the Italian Renaissance is also seen in the design. The four-story structure, which is made of light brown brick and cream-colored stone, adheres to the type of classicism that was popular for public buildings in the 1920s. The upper three levels of the recessed central five bays are fronted by flanking pilasters and four imposing Ionic columns. A brick parapet and a conspicuous entablature complete the structure.
Inside, the courthouse boasts one of Arkansas's nineteen surviving New Deal murals, titled "Men and Rest", painted by Richard Sargent in 1939. This mural depicts rural life with three men taking a rest break in front of a wagonload of hay. In the scene's background are a meadow, a barn, and another wagon. Check it out!
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