
Journey Back in Time: Exploring Oldest Building in Arkansas
Arkansas is steeped in rich history. One of the oldest public buildings still standing today is the Jacob Wolf House in Norfolk, Arkansas.
🏡Oldest Public Structure Building Standing in Arkansas
🏡Last Two-Story Dogtrot Public Structure in the U.S.
🏡Location Of The Jacob Wolf House in Arkansas
National Register of Historic Places - Jacob Wolf House
The Jacob Wolf House was built in 1829. It remains on the National Register of Historic Places and is managed by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, and the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. It also serves as an official Trail of Tears Interpretive Center. It's the only one of its kind constructed for civic purposes while most of the others in the U.S. were built as taverns, stagecoach inns, or private homes.
Izard County Territorial Courthouse
From 1829-1835, the Jacob Wolf House served as the Izard County Territorial Courthouse, the two-story dogtrot-style cabin became the family home of Jacob Wolf in 1863. The historical significance of these style homes was the large breezeway that ran through the middle of the house, according to Southern Living.
The cabin was built using dovetailed yellow pine logs from nearby trees that help maintain endurance and longevity as described by Only in Arkansas. This public structure remains the last two-story dogtrot public structure in the United States, according to Arkansas.com.

Who Was Jacob Wolf?
Jacob Wolf built the structure in 1829, after moving from Pennsylvania, he was a carpenter, blacksmith, merchant, and log builder. The Wolf House served many settlers who were relocating into the central highlands of the Ozarks in northern Arkansas.
When the house was being used as a courthouse, the grounds surrounding the building became a place for social gatherings and used as a river port, and center of trade among other activities. The brother of Sam Houston, John served as the county clerk in the courthouse.
The Jacob Wolf House is located in Baxter County between Norfork and Mountain Home near the North Fork and White River. It's worth the drive if you are a history buff.
The Oldest Public Structure & House in Arkansas
Gallery Credit: Lisa Lindsey
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