The May-Lecta-Sweet Historic District is located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Sebastian County. A mix of different architectural styles, with a period of significance that spans 1890 (Abigale Sparks House, 412 May Avenue-oldest known house to date in the district) to 1958 (50-year cutoff date determined by the National Park Service), comprises this historic district that is approximately six city blocks long and three city blocks wide. Residential in nature, tree­lined streets border Lecta, Sweet, and May Avenues, which are the main thoroughfares running north and south through the district. One hundred and thirty-two resources make up the district; 118 (89.4%) contribute to the district’s period of significance and 14 (10.6%) are non-contributing. The district maintains a high degree of integrity and is representative of suburban development in Fort Smith, Arkansas, during the early 20th century.

By 1897, developers were subdividing part of the area that comprises the May-Lecta-Sweet neighborhood. Lots in this area were part of the Barnes and Sweet Addition. An 1897 City map shows that the area between Park Avenue (then Kent) south to Rogers Avenue (then Little Rock) had been subdivided into lots. Some of the earliest homes in the area that appear on a 1901 Sanborn Map that still exist today include residential buildings at the following addresses: 221 May Avenue, 201 May Avenue, 202 May Avenue (Whyback House), 321 May Avenue (Rudledge House), and 431 May Avenue. Although not appearing on the 1901 Sanborn Map, the Abigale Sparks House at 412 May Avenue, is the oldest known residence in the district. Advertisements in period newspapers in 1905 refer to the homes in this area as "suburban" as this area lies southeast of downtown Fort Smith. The Barnes and Sweet Addition was the first developed area followed by the area from Park Avenue north to Kinkead Avenue later appearing on the 1908 Sanborn Map as the Kinkead Addition. Although primarily residential in nature, also located within this neighborhood were the Blue Bird School (1922); the Central Presbyterian Church (1954); and just outside of the district's northern boundary the John H. Rogers School (1919).