Little Rock

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little rock. The name is derived from La Petite Roche (the “little rock” in French), a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River that served as a navigational landmark by early river travelers. The territorial capital was moved from Arkansas Post to Little Rock in 1821. Ten years later, Little Rock was incorporated as a city. Little Rock was no more than a minor wilderness town when Arkansas became a territory in 1819. At that time, the capital was down river at Arkansas Post, but owing to the location of Little Rock, on the banks of the Arkansas River in the center of the new territory. When Arkansas was admitted into the Union in 1836, Little Rock became the state capital. Little Rock’s Courthouse and Post office was originally constructed in 1881 and served in that capacity until 1932.During the Civil War, Little Rock was captured by Union forces in 1863 and was under military control until the end of the conflict.www.u-s-history.com

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rock 9 In a key event of the American Civil Rights Movement, nine black students enrolled at formerly all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in September 1957, testing a landmark 1954 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. The court had mandated that all public schools in the country be integrated “with all deliberate speed” in its decision related to the groundbreaking case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. On September 4, 1957, the first day of classes at Central High, Governor Orval Faubus of Arkansas called in the state National Guard to bar the black students’ entry into the school. Later in the month, President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent in federal troops to escort the “Little Rock Nine” into the school, and they started their first full day of classes on September 25.

On March 16, 1822, Captain Morris piloted the steamboat The Eagle toLittle Rock, seventeen days after departing New Orleans. This became thefirst steamboat to reach Little Rock. The boat reached Little Rock at anearly hour in the morning and Captain Morris, in order toarouse the town, fired a salute of several guns.

eagleDue to low waters, it was unable to make it to Dwight Mission. On March 19, 1822, it returned to Little Rock. It then headed back to New Orleans. ThoughitwouldbetheMcClellan-KerrnavigationprojectbeforetheArkansas River would become a permanent home to commercial river traffic, boats up and down the Arkansas River helped establish Little Rock as an important trading post. It did not stay in Little Rock, but headed upriver toward the community of Dwight Mission, founded by Presbyterians in what is now Pope County at the mouth of the Illinois Creek.



Hornibrook Mansion Many architectural masterpieces are located in Little Rock. Amongst those is the Hornibrook Mansion, completed in 1888 for $20,000, which was at one time the most extravagent dwelling in the state. An example of the Gothic Queen Anne style, the mansion was built for businessman James H. Hornibrook originally, but currently serves as a bed and breakfast. Hornibrook moved from Toronto following the Civil War. Thanks to his saloonkeeper profession, he was deemed to be socially inferior by the genteel society in Little Rock. Hornibrook’s business continued to be profitable, however, and after his competitor, Angelo Marré, completed his home, the Villa Marré, Hornibrook proceeded to build the most extravagant dwelling in the state, the Hornibrook Mansion.



Is the longest specially-built bicycle and pedestrian bridge in thecountry. In 2007, the Big Dam Bridge Foundation was established as a non-profit, the Foundation works incooperation with Pulaski County and the cities of Little Rock and NorthLittle Rock to accomplish its mission.

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The located at 405 Markham Street, is in the heartpulaski c o u n t yo f d ow n t ow n L i t t l e Rock (Pulaski County). Two distinct buildings make up the Pulaskic o u rt h o u s e County Courthouse: a Romanesque Revival completed in 1889 and a Beaux Arts structure completed 1914. The styles are divergent from each other and symbolize different eras i n L i tt l e R o c k ’s h i s to r y . The Pulaski County Courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 18, 1979.





The r i v e r market In the heart of downtown Little Rock, the River Market District, by day, offers a market hall with an exciting mix of food vendors that will entice your senses and fit any culinary cravings. Shop for fresh fruits and veggies, visit several art galleries and souvenir stores, dine at a variety of restaurants, take a trolley ride or stroll through the park, take in multiple works of public sculpture, experience several museums and attractions, or enjoy the incredible and relaxing view of the river.

clinton Av e n u e President Clinton Avenue was designated one of “10 Great Streets for 2009” by the American Planning Association’s Great Places in America Program. This exemplifies Little Rock’s strategic vision, planning andwork of the past 20 years transformingthe once desolate downtown area into a true destination enhancement. http://www.rivermarket.info/learn-more/d i

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http: //www.e sse pursemuseum.com/abo ut / Purse Museum

One of only three purse museums in the world, ESSEPurse Museum & Store is the culmination of owner Anita Davis’ dream of exploring concepts of art, history, and the feminine. The name ESSE comes from the Latin infinitive for “to be,” which embodies what visitors willfind in the museum: that a purse is not just a utilitarian bag in which a woman carries her necessities, but an extension of her personal space, her essence, and of the things that make her “her.”

little Rock



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