Miller County’s art deco structure built in 1939
Miller County formed in 1829 but was dissolved by James Conway, the first governor, after most of its citizens were found to prefer the governance of Texas over that of Arkansas.
It was re-established in 1874, about the same time Texarkana formed accommodating the convergence of several railroad lines.
The first Miller County Courthouse was built around 1888 in Texarkana, and it served for 50 years before being condemned as unfit.
Architect E.C. Seibert designed the current art deco structure, which was erected in 1939 under the auspices of the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works.
The Miller County Courthouse, 400 Laurel St. in downtown Texarkana, Ark., is a four-story, cut stone and cast concrete masonry courthouse building designed in a restrained version of art deco.This version was quite popular with such federal public works projects during the 1930s.
The main entrance the double-leaf metal door is flanked by two fullheight two-lights. The main elevation is symmetrically organized overall, with each of the projecting wings divided into window bays.
The principal elevation faces Laurel Street. This elevation is symmetrically organized overall, with each of the projecting wings divided into four window bays, while the cinder blocks are divided into 11 window bays with a centrally located main entrance.
The interior remains remarkably intact with only a limited amount of alteration. In 1996, rewiring was begun and fluorescent lights and
acoustical tiles were installed on several floors. The first three floors are devoted to the offices of the courthouse, and the jail occupies the fourth floor. The basement contains more office space and the holding cells for prisoners, as well as the heating and cooling systems for the building.
Original interior decorations included marble floors, simple molded entry ways, ceiling molding and courtroom furniture.