Justin Matthews

Justin Matthews (1876–1955) was an Arkansas road and bridge builder and real estate developer. He helped to design and expand many areas in central Arkansas.

Justin Matthews
Born1876
near Monticello, Arkansas
Died1955 (aged 78–79)
North Little Rock, Arkansas
Resting placeMount Holly Cemetery, Little Rock
OccupationBuilder, Real Estate Developer
Known forNational Register of Historic Places properties
Spouse(s)Mary Agnes Somers Matthews (d. November 22, 1933)
Robin Matthews

Background

Matthews was born in 1876 near Monticello, Arkansas. He was formally trained as a pharmacist but prospered in cotton seed oil. In 1911, he moved to Little Rock, Arkansas where he built roads, bridges and invested in and developed real estate on the north side of the Arkansas River.[1]

Development projects

Matthews two neighborhoods in North Little Rock, divided by the Sylvian Hills Highway (since renamed as John F. Kennedy Blvd). The Edgemont area of Park Hill contains grand homes, some of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Crestwood neighborhood contains more modest houses. He sold the completed homes, as well as empty lots and offered his company's services to build similarly sized and valued house on them.

He is also credited with the design and development of the Lakewood residential area of North Little Rock, multiple lakes in the community, the building of The T.R. Pugh Memorial Park, also known as The Old Mill.

He donated several parcels to the city of North Little Rock to be developed into small city parks.

The Arkansas Gazette's 1955 obituary said the businessman was credited for having "transformed a wilderness into a great community with homes, stores, schools, churches and service establishments" and noted "his imagination and vision, his boldness, his dynamic energy and his driving force that prevailed against formidable obstacles."

Personal

Matthews was married twice. His first wife, Mary Agnes Somers Matthews, died November 22, 1933. The couple are buried side by side on the front row of Mount Holly Cemetery in downtown Little Rock. The graves are marked by a pair of distinctively carved religious figures - Joseph holding the Christ child; along with the Virgin Mary, both monuments were fashioned from white marble. He was survived by his second wife, Robin.

Non-licensed architect Frank Carmean, a gifted and well respected talent, was employed by the Justin Matthews Company. He copied famed structures in California and created new designs for Matthews' Arkansas clients.

Works
  • The T.R. Pugh Mill, also known as The Old Mill in the Lakewood area of North Little Rock, AR.
  • The Wavey Roof House, mistakenly referenced as Matthews-Phebus House, 564 Skyline Dr. North Little Rock (Matthews, Justin, Co.), not NRHP-listed
  • Cherry House, 217 Dooley Rd. North Little Rock, (Matthews, Justin, Co.), NRHP-listed
  • Joseph E. Jr. England House, 313 Skyline Dr. North Little Rock, (Matthews, Justin, Co.), NRHP-listed
  • Jeffries House, 415 Skyline Dr. North Little Rock, (Matthews, Justin, Co.), NRHP-listed
  • Matthews House, 406 Goshen North Little Rock, (Matthews, Justin), NRHP-listed
  • Matthews-Bradshaw House, 524 Skyline Dr. North Little Rock, (Matthews, Justin, Co.), NRHP-listed
  • Matthews-Bryan House, 320 Dooley Rd. North Little Rock, (Matthews, Justin, Co.), NRHP-listed
  • Matthews-Dillon House, 701 Skyline Dr. North Little Rock, (Matthews, Justin, Co.), NRHP-listed
  • Matthews-Godt House, 248 Skyline Dr. North Little Rock, (Matthews, Justin, Co.), NRHP-listed
  • Matthews-MacFadyen House, 206 Dooley Rd. North Little Rock, (Matthews, Justin, Co.), NRHP-listed
  • Owings House, 563 Skyline Dr. North Little Rock (Matthews, Justin, Co.), NRHP-listed
  • Roundtop Filling Station, Intersection of Roundtop and Trammel Roads, Sherwood, AR (Matthews, Justin, Co.) NRHP-listed[2]
  • Young House, 436 Skyline Dr. North Little Rock, (Matthews, Justin, Co.), NRHP-listed
  • Multiple other houses located on Skyline Drive and in the Crestwood neighborhood of Park Hill in North Little Rock, Arkansas, not NRHP-listed
  • Two uniquely designed gasoline stations in Little Rock, since demolished
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References
  1. Cheryl G. Nichols, and Arkansas Historic Preservation Program staff (March 30, 1992). "Pre-Depression Houses and Outbuildings of Edgemont in Park Hill MPS".
  2. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
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