$178,397Average Value$230Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Historic homes bear witness to growing city
The May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District joined Fort Smith around 1890, when the city’s population nearly tripled in size. This boom led to a desperate need for more houses, including those built along May, Lecta and Sweet avenues. While the rest of the city has continued to grow and evolve, expanding far beyond these original additions, the homes in this neighborhood have remained relatively unchanged. At its core, modern-day Fort Smith is all about community – a fact that is most evident in its people. “There’s a strong, welcoming sense of community here,” says Josh Buchfink, public relations manager for the city. “We’ve developed friendships here. It is an easy place to build relationships with other people.” Even the city's museums, local businesses and houses of worship paint a picture of community by actively participating in fundraisers and events, and May-Lecta-Sweet rests at the heart of it all.
Many of the homes in May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District have mature trees in the yard.
May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District has many renovated historic homes.
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Tree-lined streets and century-old homes
Residents can stroll the sidewalks of May-Lecta-Sweet, admiring the trees and old homes that line the streets. “The thing I like about the May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District is all of the trees,” says John Lehnen, Fort Smith resident and Fort Smith Historic District member. “I think it’s such a pretty neighborhood – just to drive through – with all the shade cover.” These trees sit on the front lawns of older houses, many built between the late-19th and mid-20th century. Victorian-era architecture, including Queen Annes, is common, as are Craftsman styles, Colonial Revivals and Foursquares. “I think that the biggest draw to the area is the historic homes,” says Rebecca Morter, Realtor with the Griffin Company of Weichert Realtors. “Sometimes it’s also the price point. You can probably get a bigger home at a better price point.” Most three-to-four bedrooms range from $125,000 to $300,000.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designates part of May-Lecta-Sweet as a Special Flood Hazard Area. All homeowners are encouraged to purchase flood insurance, which is required for anyone with a federally backed mortgage. FEMA also deems Fort Smith at a relatively moderate risk of tornadoes. Most standard insurance policies cover wind and storm damage.
May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District offers many homes to fit any budget.
Many of the homes in May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District have covered porches in the front.
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Public and private schools
May-Lecta-Sweet is part of the Fort Smith School District. Niche grades Ballman Elementary School a B, while Darby Jr. High School receives a C-plus. There are also private schools, many run by local houses of worship. None go through high school, so most students attend B-rated Northside High School. While enrolled at Northside, students can join the school’s step team, the N’Steppers. The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith (UAFS) is about 1 mile away and offers general education courses to local high schoolers. The whole community shows up for UAFS’s basketball and volleyball games. “The community is very deep into sports, period,” says Cheryl White, Realtor with Keller Williams Platinum Realty who has lived in Fort Smith for most of her life. There is another college that gets a lot of love in Fort Smith: the University of Arkansas and its Razorbacks. Signs saying “GO HOGS!” decorate lawns and business fronts.
Ballman Elementary School is part of the Fort Smith Public School district.
Immaculate Conception Elementary School is a private Catholic school in Fort Smith, AR.
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Car-dependent community
Residents of May-Lecta-Sweet – and the rest of Fort Smith – mostly rely on their cars to get around. Rogers Avenue is one of the city’s major thoroughfares. It connects with Interstate 540. Some public transit is available, with bus routes running along Park and Rogers avenues. Fort Smith Regional Airport is about 4 miles away. “We call the airport a puddle hopper,” White says. Flights from the regional airport only go to Dallas – Fort Worth International Airport. Baptist Health – Fort Smith is the closest hospital, about 2 miles away.
Bensons Grill in May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District offers residents 24/7 food options.
Public transportation is available to the residents of May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District.
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Putt putt, playgrounds, pools at Creekmore Park
May-Lecta-Sweet is less than 1 mile from Creekmore Park. A trail encompasses the park, going past playgrounds, tennis courts and open fields. Families can also play a round of miniature golf and get a snow cone at Grand Slam Fun Center or plan a summer pool day. The Creekmore Express Train makes the park a community favorite, especially in December. “At Christmas time, the wait to ride the train is hours,” says Mila Masur, resident of Fort Smith and executive director of The Clayton House. Why is the wait so long? Because the train offers the best view of the lights that decorate the park, depicting various holiday scenes. The main branch of the Fort Smith Public Library is across the street from the park’s entrance. There, patrons can attend author talks, movie nights and Storytime. The Fort Smith Regional Art Museum (RAM) is about 1 mile away. Besides housing exhibits, including one focused on living artists, the RAM hosts art classes and artist lectures. There’s also RAM Saturdays, a free weekly event allowing people of all ages to make a take-home project. The Fort Smith Little Theatre is Downtown and gives residents the chance to both audition for and watch live theatre. “It’s a small theatre, but they do some amazing shows,” White says.
Creekmore Park is a very large park in the middle of Fort Smith.
The Regional Art Museum is within walking distance to.May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District.
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Locally owned restaurants stand out
While most of May-Lecta-Sweet is residential, shopping is within 2 miles of the neighborhood. Now & Then Shoppe is an antique store that spans two Craftsman buildings on Lecta Avenue. Its collection of goods ranges from furniture and indoor decorations to lawn ornaments and garden statues. Benson’s Grill is less than 1 mile away and serves classic diner food, while the nearby Miguel’s Taqueria serves authentic Mexican food. Folks can head to the original Fort Smith Coffee Co. – built inside an old gas station on Rogers Avenue – for a cup of coffee. The cafe opened its doors in 2017 and has grown into a staple of the city. Downtown Fort Smith offers more options for shopping and dining about 2 miles away. At AJ’s Oyster House, patrons can enjoy a New Orleans-inspired menu, while Taliano’s is a family-owned Italian restaurant. “All of our recipes are the same as those we’ve been using for 54 years,” says owner Joe Caldarera. Most residents get groceries from Walmart Neighborhood Market or Harps Food Store, each about 2 miles away. The Fort Smith Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings features fresh produce and handmade treats.
May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District is very close to the entertainment district Downtown.
May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District offers many dining experiences to residents.
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River Valley attends city events
Fort Smith is home to events that draw crowds from its community and the greater River Valley. Olde Fort Days Rodeo is one example of an event that draws in people from all over. For over 90 years, folks have competed in saddle and bareback riding, steer wrestling and calf roping. “You’ve got the cowboys who want to tame the horses and tame the bulls, and the bulls and the horses are not wanting to be tamed,” says White, who attends the rodeo every year. In between competitions, attendees can enjoy live music. Locals also love the Fall Festival, an annual celebration of community that fills Garrison Avenue. At the Fort Smith Historic Site, reenactors portray scenes at the Gallows, when Judge Isaac C. Parker – who earned the nickname “The Hanging Judge” despite his personal beliefs against the death penalty – oversaw the Fort Smith Courthouse from 1875 to 1896. Patrons can enjoy vendors, activities and food from across the city.
May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District is very close to many events in the area.
May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District is within walking distance to many of the parks in Fort Smith.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ryan Boggs,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Transit
Airport
Fort Smith Regional
13 min drive
May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District, Fort Smith sell after 114 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District, Fort Smith over the last 12 months is $519,900, up 65% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
WELCOME TO YOUR VERY OWN SUMMER OASIS!! This is the perfect home for entertaining with its spacious interior, a large, private backyard, firepit with seating area, built-in grill with a direct gas line and a relaxing, saltwater pool. It also offers a garden area with raised beds and endless opportunities for planting and landscaping. Completed in 1936, this Tudor style home is a unique classic
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ryan Boggs,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
276
Median Age
37
Population under 18
25.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$46,071
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$73,569
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.6%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
27.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.4%
% Population in Labor Force
61%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
47/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
76/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
