OSCEOLA TIMES BUILDING
The owners and developers of The Osceola Times Building have commissioned LPC to conduct preservation consulting services for the rehabilitation of the circa 1901 Osceola Times Building located within the Hale Avenue Historic District in Osceola, Arkansas. Preservation consulting services include: consultation with the owners and architect as well as the Part 2 and 3 of the state and federal preservation tax credit applications.
From the National Register Nomination: The Osceola Times building was constructed in 1901 and is significant to Osceola in its representation of the newspaper that helped to build and develop "new town". Construction of this two story building which houses Mississippi County's oldest newspaper, helped to insure the success of “new town'' by its placement. The paper's editor, Leon Roussan, was a strong leader of Osceola from its incorporation in 1875, and was elected to be the first Mayor of the small town. Roussan was one of the first proponents of the move to "new town" and did much to encourage and support the move of the City's business district closer to the new railroad lines. As in many turn of the century two story commercial buildings, the first floor housed the newspaper offices and the second floor contained an apartment in which the Roussan family lived. The Osceola Times is the oldest weekly newspaper in. northeastern Arkansas and throughout the years has played an important role in local issues. Upon Mr. Roussan's death, his wife, Adah Roussan, took over ownership and became the editor of the Osceola Times.