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| City/County/Congressional District: • Little Rock , Pulaski County ( District 2 ) |
| Location Class: • Residential |
| Year Built: • 1910s-1950s | Year Abandoned: • 1980s-2000s |
| Historic Designation: • Historic District 2013 |
| Status: • Abandoned • Endangered • Demolished |
Dunbar Historic Neighborhood is situated between two of Little Rock’s more prominent historic districts, the Governor’s Mansion and Central High districts. The district is primarily composed of single family residential homes, with several commercial properties, churches and community buildings. The neighborhood has been the home to most of Little Rock’s significant black community leaders since the Civil War and was home to six of the Little Rock Nine.
Many of the original houses in Dunbar were razed in 1952 and 1954 under the Housing Act of 1949. Today, many of these sites remain as vacant weed lots. In 1997, eight properties in the neighborhood were listed on the National Register and in 2003 the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program determined that a section of the neighborhood was eligible for listing on the National Register. The lack of redevelopment in the area has contributed to some historic homes being lost due to deferred maintenance and neglect.
Dunbar Neighborhood is a significant part of Little Rock’s 19th and early 20th century development. It also represents other historic neighborhoods around the state where disinvestment has led to a loss of historic homes.
In 2013, the district was listed to the National Register of Historic Places as the Paul Dunbar Historic Neighborhood District.