The 46th Annual Spring Tour of Quapaw Quarter homes features five distinctly beautiful homes — each beloved, and rightfully so.
The neighborhood, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, “was defined in the articles of incorporation as a 16-square-block area — one quarter of a township — bounded by Capitol Avenue on the north, Scott Street on the west, Ninth Street on the south, and Bond Avenue on the east.” The name, according to the Web site, “was derived from the Quapaw Treaty Line of 1818, which runs through the neighborhood.”
The tour is sponsored by the Quapaw Quarter Association (QQA), a group of volunteers whose mission is “to promote the preservation of Little Rock’s architectural heritage through advocacy, marketing and education.” Dana Daniels Nixon serves as board president.
“We chose these homes, all easily in walking distance of one another, because each is magnificent in its own way; each is historic, and they haven’t been on the tour for a while,” Nixon said. “This is an eclectic group of houses with different personalities and histories.”
This year, for the first time in several years, the QQA will host a Candlelight Gala Tour and Dinner Party on May 8. Tickets are $100 each; ticket holders will tour the five homes from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., walking along the streets, which will be closed. There will be two champagne/wine stations, one on Louisiana Street, the other on Center Street. Gala attendees will then gather at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 W. 17th St., for an evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing.
Tours will continue May 9, from 1 to 5 p.m. and will include a grand floral design demonstration by Michael Walls, Little Rock native turned “florist to the stars.”
For more information, please contract the QQA at (501) 371-0075 or log onto quapaw.com.
Frese Cottage
1614 Louisiana St.
Circa 1882
Owners: Charles and Becky Witsell
2,030 square feet
This Victorian cottage is the home of Becky Witsell, famed stencilist. So, of course, the home is a showcase of her talent with late Victorian wallpaper reproductions, marbling on fireplaces and baseboards and beautiful stencils on the floors, walls and ceilings.
“I started stenciling in the ‘70s,” Becky Witsell said, “ then learned decorative painting and screen painting and learned the historic techniques.” An example of historic patterns is in the dining room, where you’ll find 12 medallions from medieval prayer books. She also designed the rooms’ curtains and describes her home as eclectic.
Turner – Back House
1722 Center St.
Circa 1884 and 1917
Owners: Tom and Lillian Whittenburg
6,000+ square feet
This Victorian home underwent several renovations, including the now-visible facade. According to the QQA, it was the first, large architect-designed home in the Governor’s Mansion area. This home once housed apartments and, in 1992, was converted back to a single-family dwelling. The Whittenburgs have lived in the home for three and a half years and furnished it in a mix of modern and antique that fits well.
One tour, and Tom declared, “‘I know exactly where the Christmas tree is going,’ so we had to buy it. Downtown feels good to us — we love the diversity of the neighborhood,” Lillian said.
Mayer Cottage
317 W. 17th St.
Circa 1937-38
Owners: Richard and Lenora Steinkamp
2,000 square feet
This quaint cottage was designed as a bachelor cottage for the Caruth-Cochran House. The home is “one-room deep” and takes advantage of natural light and cross ventilation; it has bay windows and opens in the rear to a fabulous courtyard, pool and pool house, which was designed by architect John Jarrard. The Steinkamps used tones of gold on the walls echoing the sunlight, and master bedroom features a toile fabric Lenora fell in love with while in Paris.
“Our son sent us a picture of the cottage … one look, and we called the listing agent,” Lenora said. They’ve owned the Mayer cottage since 2005.
Fletcher-Heiskell House
1708 Louisiana St.
Circa 1892 and 1919
Owners: Lynn and Betti Hamilton
5,000+ square feet
This house was once the home of Frank M. Fletcher, founder of Fletcher Coffee and Spice Co., J. N. Heiskell, pres., Arkansas Gazette and later, a boarding home and a high school. It was all but destroyed by fire. It was restored in 1998 and features several specialty rooms, such as a vanity, sunroom, sitting room, mudroom and breakfast room. Lynn Hamilton has gathered an extensive history of the home including pictures and newspaper articles.
“We love being a part of a community of progressive thinkers who respect the past. We love the history … the beauty of the old houses … the sense of spirit and pride,” Hamilton said.
Turner-Ledbetter House
1700 Louisiana St.
Circa 1891-92
Owners: Dr. Dan and Sandra Cook
4,500 square feet
The Cooks purchased their home in 1979 and moved in “ready or not” in 1980. The renovation was, according to Sandra Cook, a true undertaking, and she calls the house a work in progress. The home, according to the QQA, is one of a few brick, Queen Anne-style homes in Little Rock. It has six fireplaces, five pocket doors and four large bedrooms. An upper level sunroom is Cook’s favorite — “even on a dreary day.” The home is furnished in “simple Victorian dÉcor,” —the oldest piece of furniture is a fainting couch dating back to 1860 — and Witsell designed a stencil, which Cook used in the front living room. With beautiful fretwork and an open floor plan, “It’s a great holiday house,” Cook said.
