The US Forest Service is celebrating the 85th anniversary of the celebration of the completion of the Supervisor's Office building in Russellville. It was the efforts of Henry R. Koen, the Ozark National Forest supervisor between 1922 and 1939, which secured the success of this undertaking, and in 1979 the building was named after him.
The Henry R. Koen Forest Service Office Building in Russellville, Arkansas is constructed of beige native sandstone and dark stained wood (using the balloon frame method of construction) and is two stories in height with a full basement.
The Henry R. Koen Forest Service Office Building is a significant at a statewide level by virtue of its associations with the Civilian Conservations Corps, which oversaw and executed its construction, and as an outstanding urban adaptation of the rustic or 'indigenous' style typically reserved for more rural sites.
The work and impact of the CCC spanned the entire nation and principally benefited national and state parks and forests. However, virtually all projects were intended for and executed in rural locations for recreational use; hence it was unusual for the CCC to construct an office building in a relatively urban setting, even though it was to serve the Forest Service as a regional headquarters building. It was the efforts of Henry R. Koen, the Ozark National Forest supervisor between 1922 and 1939, which secured the success of this undertaking. Henry Koen, an Arkansas native had worked for the Sylamore Ranger District in north central Arkansas. Later, during his tenure as forest supervisor he greatly expanded the administrative infrastructure of the forest. His recognition of the need for a centralized and coordinated system of forest management inspired his vision of a modern headquarters building.
