BlockBefore
Photograph of Magnolia Commercial Historic District
Photograph by Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0. Via Wikimedia Commons.

Magnolia Commercial Historic District

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.

From the record

“The Magnolia Commercial Historic District encompasses the historic heart of Magnolia, the county seat of Columbia County, Arkansas. It includes the courthouse square and most of the buildings which face it, as well as buildings along Calhoun and Jackson Streets.”

Wikipedia article Magnolia Commercial Historic District, CC BY-SA 4.0.

One of 24 National Register listings published here for Columbia County · listed in 2008 · category: District.

Sources: the Wikipedia article · the National Register database, National Park Service

The listing

Fires near this property

121 since 1997

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 121 fires within 5 miles of Magnolia Commercial Historic District between 1997 and 2020, burning about 794 acres in total. 3 started naturally. 33 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning42
Missing data/not specified/undetermined36
Arson/incendiarism33
Smoking3
Natural3
Recreation and ceremony2
Equipment and vehicle use1
Misuse of fire by a minor1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
9 September 2013Missing data/not specified/undetermined5.0 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
6 September 2000Arson/incendiarism2.0 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
6 September 2000Arson/incendiarism2.0 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
5 September 1998Arson/incendiarism1.0 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
5 September 1998Arson/incendiarism2.0 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
4 September 1998Debris and open burning1.0 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
4 September 1998Debris and open burning2.0 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named
29 September 2000Debris and open burning1.0 acresArkansas Forestry Commissionnot named

Every fire recorded in Columbia County

Mines and quarries near this property

7 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 7 workings within 5 miles of Magnolia Commercial Historic District: 7 past producers. None of them still produces. What was taken out: Bromine, Sand and Gravel, Construction. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
UnkSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnkSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnkBrominePast Producer
UnkBrominePast Producer
UnkBrominePast Producer
UnkBrominePast Producer
UnkBrominePast Producer

Every working recorded in Columbia County

Storms near this property

60 of 98 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Magnolia, the town this property stands in, in 98 storm reports between 1993 and 2025: 48 thunderstorm wind, 33 hail, 11 flash flood, 3 lightning. The reports record 4 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
May 2003HailMagnolia3 hurtNumerous car and home windows were shattered and numerous roofs stripped of shingles. An estimated 400 homes and 40 mobile homes received moderate to major damage according to Farm Bureau Insurance and the Emergency Management. Damage extended from County Road 36 between Woodland Acres Estates and Lake Sue Nursery, across US 82 and continued southeastwardly through the Calhoun and Tidewater Communities. Damage was also reported along County Roads 11, 25, 30, 34, 35, 36, 402, 447, and 525 to name a few. The brunt of the storm appeared to be along the Calhoun/Old El Dorado Highway area. Damage included dented decking on roofs, broken windows, roofs damaged, water damage, sprinkler heads broken off, greenhouses totally destroyed and plants pulverized. The chopped up leaf debris, twigs and small limbs ripped from arbors was also impressive. At least 3 people were injured. A hailstone went through the sunroof of a car and flying glass cut one female occupant. Another man was hurt when his car was hit by hailstones. A family made a run for a storm shelter but was beaten by the falling ice. One 7 year old child was struck in the head by a large stone and suffered many bruises. All the injuries were treated and released.
June 2004Thunderstorm WindMagnolia1 hurt, $40,000Thunderstorm wind gusts downed trees which fell atop two pick-up trucks. One of the drivers was injured and taken to a local hospital where he was treated and released.
October 2001Flash FloodMagnolia$120,000,000Numerous roads closed from high water. The county was declared a disaster area due to the washed out roads and bridges. Nearly 8 inches of rain fell in less than 12 hours.
April 1997Flash FloodMagnolia$11,000,000Flooding was reported across the entire city. The local hospital had one foot of water in it while water also entered numerous homes. Rainfall for a 24 hour period averaged just under twelve inches. Many roads and bridges were washed out resulting in 1 million dollars damage alone.
April 1994Tornado (F2)Magnolia$5,000,000An F2 tornado touched down in Magnolia. The tornado traveled approximately two miles through Magnolia before lifting. The tornado damaged a number of vehicles in a car lot, destroyed a greenhouse at a local Wal-Mart and damaged a local gas station. Several mobile homes were either damaged or destroyed and a small church was also damaged.
May 1999Tornado (F3)Magnolia$600,000Two frame homes were demolished, several frame homes suffered roof damage, 1 church and 3 businesses suffered roof and frame damage. Many trees were snapped and uprooted. Damage estimates includes timber damage.
April 1999Flash FloodMagnolia$140,000Numerous county roads were under 4 to 6 feet of water. One small bridge was washed out.
March 2008HailMagnolia$100,000Hail knocked out windows to homes and damaged automobiles.
August 2008Flash FloodMagnolia$100,000Flooding was occurring in Magnolia and other nearby communities. Several county roads were underwater including high water across County Road 15 or Burnt Bridge Road. In Magnolia, Arkansas, several city streets were underwater including the intersections of East Main and Dudney as well as East North and Dudney. Barricades were needed along West Main Street near the West Side High School. Vine Street was washed out where some cars were flooded out.
April 2011Thunderstorm WindMagnolia$75,000Numerous fallen trees resulted in damage to a mobile home and a residence at the 600 block of CR. 148 near Magnolia.
July 2007LightningMagnolia$60,000Lightning struck a tree near 79 Sassafras Drive in Magnolia, Arkansas blasting a hole in the yard. The bolt traveled through water pipes in the home of a local resident. No occupants were home at the time but two dogs were overcome by smoke.
February 2009Thunderstorm WindMagnolia$40,000Numerous trees and power lines were downed. An awning was blown off the Coca Cola plant and a radio tower was blown down at the police department.
August 2003Thunderstorm WindMagnolia$40,000Several trees down. One large tree fell on a house.
March 1996Thunderstorm WindMagnolia$20,000no account filed
August 2001LightningMagnolia$12,000Lightning struck a home in Magnolia when the owners head a loud pop. The power went off and it was discovered the lightning struck the meter loop, traveled from the loop to the northwest (far) end of the house where the breaker box was located in a utility room and set fire to the carport, utility room, and kitchen. The lightning hit with enough force to knock pictures off the walls of the home.
April 1999Thunderstorm WindMagnolia$10,000Winds were measured at Industrial Plant which suffered roof damage.
July 2007Thunderstorm WindMagnolia$5,000Awning blown off of a building on Washington Street near downtown. Powerlines were also knocked down on North Jackson Street near downtown. Trees were downed on county road 27. Around 15 trees were taken down by damaging wind gusts just south of the city.
April 1994Thunderstorm WindMagnolia$5,000Thunderstorm winds downed some trees.
October 1993Thunderstorm WindMagnolia$5,000Thunderstorm winds downed some power lines.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-A tree was blown down onto South Fredrick Street in Magnolia.
June 2025Flash FloodMagnolia-Several city and rural streets and highways flooded with some closed, including high water underneath the Highway 82 overpass with water in vehicles.
September 2025Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Trees were downed across the west side of Magnolia, including across West North Street, South Heights Street, and Pecan Street.
September 2025Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Trees were blown down on Gladys Street in Magnolia.
March 2024Flash FloodMagnolia-Numerous roads were flooded and closed throughout Columbia County with widespread rainfall amounts in excess of 5 inches and at least 2 high water rescues for stranded motorists.
December 2024HailMagnolia-Nickel size hail reported on Main Street in Magnolia.
April 2021Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-A 60 mph wind gust was estimated in Magnolia.
April 2021HailMagnolia-Nickel size hail fell in Magnolia.
May 2020HailMagnolia-Nickel to quarter size hail fell in Downtown Magnolia, although a few stones up to half dollar size were observed as well.
June 2019Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Several trees and power lines were downed blocking roads across Columbia County.
March 2017Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-A tree was blown down onto a power line on West McNeil Street in Magnolia.
April 2015Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Trees were downed on the SAU campus.
November 2015Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Trees were downed in the Magnolia community and elsewhere around the county.
December 2015Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Powerlines were downed in Magnolia, Arkansas.
March 2014Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Numerous trees downed including some downed on Hwy. 79.
July 2014Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Trees and powerlines were downed throughout the entire county.
March 2013Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Trees were downed at the Columbia County, Lafayette County line at U.S. Hwy. 82.
January 2013Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Several trees were downed in Magnolia and just south of town.
March 2012Flash FloodMagnolia-County Road 15 was flooded and closed south of Magnolia, Arkansas.
March 2012Flash FloodMagnolia-Hwy. 19 and County Road 5 south of Magnolia, Arkansas were flooded and closed.
June 2012Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Several trees were downed throughout the county. Trees were downed on South Calhoun and Renfro Roads.
August 2012Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-The window of a house in Magnolia was blown out from debris.
October 2009Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Trees and powerlines were downed across the city with roads closed.
October 2009Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Trees were downed across the county with roads closed.
May 2007Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Trees downed across County Road 76.
July 2007Flash FloodMagnolia-Hwy. 82 at Dudney Road was closed with waist deep water.
September 2006Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Trees downed along Hwy 82 west.
August 2005Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Trees downed across a road.
June 2004Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Trees downed in many locations in town.
August 2004Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Trees downed near the Village community.
June 2004Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Trees downed.
May 2003Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Numerous trees down.
May 2003HailMagnolia-Windows were broken in 40 mobile homes and numerous car windows were broken.
April 2002Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Numerous large trees down.
May 2002Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Several large trees down.
February 2001Flash FloodMagnolia-CR 122 and 258 flooded and impassable.
October 2001Flash FloodMagnolia-Numerous streets flooded. East Main Street closed due to high water.
March 2000Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Numerous trees down.
April 2000Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Trees and power lines down across Hwy 344.
May 1999Thunderstorm WindMagnolia-Numerous trees down across CR 7.
May 1999LightningMagnolia-A 36 minute blackout was created from the lightning strike.

Every storm recorded in Columbia County

Map coverage status

No historic map-sheet match is published for this property yet. That does not mean no map exists. This record needs a coordinate-quality review before it can be joined to a sheet boundary. Browse the county's mapped places while that work is pending.

Listed places nearby

6 within 8 miles

Other National Register properties close enough to walk or drive between, ordered by distance from this one. Both positions come from the same geocoding pass that matched these properties to their map sheets.

Photograph PropertyDistance Listed
Columbia County Courthouse0.1 miles1978
Rushton Clinic, The0.2 miles2013
Dr. H. A. Longino House0.2 miles1982
Columbia County Jail0.2 miles1982
Couch-Marshall House0.3 miles1992
Magnolia Colored School Historic District0.4 miles2014

Sources for this property

National Archives recordThe nomination case file for reference 08000435 in Record Group 79.
Wikipedia articleCommunity-written account of this property, licensed CC BY-SA.
Columbia CountyAll 24 listed properties in this county.

Provenance

  • Listing record. National Park Service National Register of Historic Places, listed-properties dataset, current to 2026-05-22.
  • Map join. Address geocoded through the United States Census geocoder, then tested against the published boundary of every sheet in the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection.
  • How this page is made. Listing fields come from federal records; map-sheet coverage is a labelled coordinate-to-boundary calculation, not a source-field claim.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.