Coupled with Massey Hotel's community heritage, the building's architectural style is uncommon in Arkansas, and even more rare in the Ozarks.

Even without the through traffic, the district has seen significant redevelopment upon opening of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art north of the town square.

The increased tourist traffic related to the museum has made Downtown Bentonville one of the state's most popular tourism destinations.

The Eagle Hotel was also a historically significant property, housing Union general Franz Sigel during the Civil War prior to the Battle of Pea Ridge.

However, several other shops and businesses were located on the Hotel Massey's first floor, including the ticket office for the train to Rogers.

The library opened on November 11, 1979 and operated in the Massey Hotel for 27 years, before outgrowing the historic structure and moving to its current location.

The porch roof is supported by round stone Romanesque columns atop rusticated granite pedestals.