Little Rock, Arkansas Totally Explained

Everything about Little Rock totally explained

Little Rock is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Arkansas and the county seat of Pulaski County. The city's population was estimated at 184,422 in 2005 estimates. Little Rock, North Little Rock and Conway are co-principal cities of the six-county Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area, an area with a population of 666,401 people, according to 2007 census estimates. The MSA is in turn included in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff Combined Statistical Area, which had a population of 841,325 in the 2007 census estimates.
Located near the geographic center of Arkansas, Little Rock derives its name from a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River called La Petite Roche (the "little rock"). The "little rock" was used by early river traffic as a landmark and became a well-known river crossing.

History

Origins

Many artifacts have been found that suggest Native Americans inhabited Central Arkansas thousands of years before European settlers arrived. These original inhabitants may have included the Folsom people, Bluff Dwellers, Mound Builders, Caddo, Quapaw, Osage, Choctaw and Cherokee. Arkansas was left untouched by European hands until 1541 when Hernando de Soto of Spain traveled through the area.
Little Rock was actually named for a little rock. Early travelers used a stone outcropping on the bank of the Arkansas River as a landmark. "La Petite Roche" (French for "The Little Rock"), so named in 1722 by French explorer Jean-Baptiste Bénard de la Harpe, marked the transition from the flat Mississippi Delta region to the Ouachita Mountain foothills. Travelers would refer to the area as "the Little Rock" and the name stuck.

Timeline

1722 - French explorer Jean-Baptiste Benard de la Harpe lands near a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River which he reputedly names La Petite Roche (the little rock). La Harpe builds a trading post near the little rock. The Quapaw Indians reside nearby.
1812 - William Lewis, a fur trapper, builds a home near the little rock.
1820 - Little Rock is surveyed.
1820 - Robert Crittenden, born 1797, and Chester Ashley, born 1791, enter into an agreement for a "Partnership in the Practice of Law" which lays the groundwork for the Rose Law Firm, the oldest law firm west of the Mississippi River.
1821 - Little Rock becomes the capital of the Arkansas Territory formed in 1819.
1831 - Little Rock is incorporated as a city.
1833 - The Territorial Capitol (now the Old State House) is built. Completed in 1842, it serves as the State Capitol until 1911.
1836 - Arkansas becomes the 25th state, and Little Rock became the official capital city.
1861 - Arkansas joins the Confederacy.
1863 - Union forces occupy Little Rock.
1874 - The Brooks-Baxter War takes place in Little Rock.
1880 - General Douglas MacArthur born on January 26 in the The Tower Building of the Little Rock Arsenal. The building is now the home of the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History and the surrounding is area is called MacArthur Park.
1911 - The current State Capitol building is completed. It is the second building constructed to house the state government, after the Old State House.
1916 - Pulaski Heights, one of Little Rock's earliest western suburbs, is annexed into the city, setting the stage for further westward expansion.
1957 - The Little Rock Nine are enrolled at Little Rock's Central High School after public protests and the Arkansas National Guard, under the direction of Governor Orval Faubus, prevents their first attempt at enrollment. President Eisenhower dispatches federal troops to ensure the students' safety and enforce their right to attend school. These events are collectively referred to as the Crisis at Central High.
1958 - All three public High Schools in Little Rock are closed for one year by Governor Faubus.
1968 - Construction booms downtown, Worthen Bank Building at 375 feet and Union National Bank at 330 feet are under construction and replace The Tower Building as the city's tallest buildings. Union National Bank subsequently merged into Worthen, which eventually would become part of Bank of America.
1974 - First National Bank building is under construction and becomes the city's tallest building at 454 feet and 30 stories. The building currently is Arkansas headquarters for Regions Bank.
1986 - The Capitol Tower is completed, and at 40 stories and 547 feet tall, is currently the tallest building in Arkansas. The skyscraper name changed to the TCBY Tower later and became the Metropolitan National Bank as of October 2004. The Stephens Building is also completed and is 25 stories and 365 feet tall when finished. It was first known as the First South building and then the Rogers building.
1992 - Bill Clinton is elected President of the United States. He delivers an election night acceptance speech from the front steps of the historic Old State House in downtown Little Rock. He is the first person from the state of Arkansas to be elected President. He is elected to a second term in 1996.
1997 - The 40th anniversary of the Crisis at Central High is marked by the opening of a new National Park Service visitor center.
2000 - Little Rock's record high temperature of 111 degrees Fahrenheit is recorded by the National Weather Service in August.
2003 - First Little Rock Marathon is held. Counting the relays, 1615 runners participate in the 26.2-mile race, making it one of the top 25 races in the nation for 2003.
2003 - Little Rock resident Wesley Kanne Clark, a retired four-star general in the U.S. Army and former Supreme Allied Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), announces his intention to run in the presidential primary election for the Democratic Party nomination.
2004 - William J. Clinton Presidential Center opens with a host of dignitaries and celebrities, including President George W. Bush, and former presidents George H. W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.
2006 - The international charitable organization Heifer International dedicates a $17.5 million world headquarters in downtown Little Rock. The organization announces plans to further develop the 33-acre location into the Heifer International Center campus.
2006 - The Pulaski County Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge, better known as the Big Dam Bridge, opens to the public. The Big Dam Bridge extends 3,463 feet across the Arkansas River and is currently the world’s longest bridge specifically built for pedestrians/bicycles.
2006 - The five-year construction boom of mixed-use, high-rise buildings in downtown's historic River Market district will produce over 60 stories of residential and retail property and 240 additional hotel rooms by the end of 2009. Among the major residential projects completed or planned are the Capital Commerce Center (2002), First Security Center (2004), 300 Third Tower (2006), and the River Market Tower (2009).
2007 - Dickey-Stephens Park, home to the Arkansas Travelers minor league baseball team, opens. The newly constructed ball park has a capacity of 7,000 and is situated on the Arkansas River in North Little Rock, Arkansas, opposite downtown Little Rock.

Geography

Little Rock is located at (34.736009, -92.331122).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 116.8 square miles (302.5 km²), of which, 116.2 square miles (301.0 km²) of it's land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (0.52%) is water.
Little Rock is located on the south bank of the Arkansas River in Central Arkansas. Fourche Creek and Rock Creek run through the city and flow into the river. The western part of the city is located in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. Just northwest of the city limits is Pinnacle Mountain and Lake Maumelle, which provides Little Rock's drinking water. The city of North Little Rock is located just across the river from Little Rock, but it's a separate city.

Government

The city operated under a city manager form of government until 2007 when voters voted to convert to a strong-mayor form of government, making the mayor's position a full-time position with veto power, though the city also retains the city manager position. The city employs over 2500 individuals in 14 different departments including the Police department, the Fire department, Parks and Recreation and the Zoo.
Most Pulaski County government offices are located in the city of Little Rock and include among others the Quorum, Circuit, District, Juvenile Courts and the Assessor, County Judge, County Attorney and Public Defenders offices.
The U.S. Federal District Court (Eastern District) of the St. Louis 8th District and also the Circuit Federal Court of Appeals are located in Little Rock.

Climate data

Little Rock lies in the Humid subtropical climate zone, with hot, humid summers and cool to chilly winters. Meteorological Data for the Little Rock Greater Metropolitan Are>

averages for each month.]]

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 183,133 people, 77,352 households, and 46,488 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,576.0 people per square mile (608.5/km²). There were 84,793 housing units at an average density of 729.7/sq mi (281.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.1% White, 40.4% Black, 0.3% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.28% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. 2.7% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
   There were 77,352 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.98.
   In the city the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85 males.
   The median income for a household in the city was $37,572, and the median income for a family was $47,446. Males had a median income of $35,689 versus $26,802 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,209. 14.3% of the population is below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.9% of those under the age of 18 and 9.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Metropolitan statistical area

The 2007 U.S. Census population estimate for the Metropolitan Statistical Area of Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway was 666,401. The MSA includes the following counties: Pulaski, Faulkner, Grant, Lonoke, Perry, and Saline. The largest cities include Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Jacksonville, Benton, Sherwood, Cabot, Maumelle, and Bryant.
The 2007 U.S. Census population estimate for the Combined Statistical Area (CSA) of Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff was 841,326.

Economy/Business

Major corporations headquartered in Little Rock include Alltel, Dillard's Department Stores, Windstream Communications and Acxiom.
   Additional large companies headquartered in Little Rock include Metropolitan National Bank, Rose Law Firm, Nuvell Financial Services, Central Flying Service and Stephens Inc.
   Large companies headquartered in other cities but with a large presence in Little Rock include Dassault Falcon Jet and Raytheon Aircraft Company near Little Rock National Airport in the eastern part of the city, and Fidelity National Information Services in northwestern Little Rock. Non-profit organizations include Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, Heifer International, Lions World Services for the Blind, William J. Clinton Foundation, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Audubon Arkansas, The Nature Conservancy, and Winrock International. Associations include the American Taekwondo Association, Arkansas Hospital Association, and the Quapaw Quarter Association.
   Major employers throughout Little Rock include Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Entergy, Raytheon, The Sharper Image, Siemens, AT&T Mobility, Kroger, Affiliated Foods Southwest and Timex.
   One of the largest public employers in the state with over 9,400 employees, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and its affiliates — Arkansas Children's Hospital and the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System — have a total economic impact in Arkansas of about $4.1 billion per year. UAMS receives less than 11% of its funding from the state. Its operation is funded by payments for clinical services (64%), grants and contracts (18%), philanthropy and other (5%), and tuition and fees (2%).
   The Little Rock port is an intermodal river port with a large industrial business complex. It is designated as Foreign Trade Zone 14. International corporations such as Danish manufacturer LM Glasfiber have established new facilities adjacent to the port in recent years.
   Little Rock was named 22nd out of 361 metropolitan areas as best places for business in 2005 by Forbes Magazine.
   Moody's Investor Services ranks Little Rock as the second most diverse economy in the nation.
   Along with Louisville and Memphis, Little Rock houses one of three branches of the St. Louis Federal Reserve district.
   In addition, early in the 20th Century, Little Rock was home to brass era automobile maker Climber.

Museums

The William J. Clinton Presidential Center includes the Clinton presidential library and the offices of the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton School of Public Service. The facility, designed by architect James Polshek, cantilevers over the Arkansas River, echoing Clinton's famous campaign promise of "building a bridge to the 21st century. The archives and library contains 2 million photographs, 80 million pages of documents, 21 million e-mail messages, and nearly 80,000 artifacts from the Clinton presidency. The museum within the site showcases artifacts from Clinton's term and includes a full-scale replica of the Clinton-era Oval Office.Opened on November 18, 2004, the Clinton Presidential Center cost $165 million to construct and covers 150,000 square feet (14,000 m²) within a 28 acre (113,000 m²) park.

The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History opened in 2001, the last remaining structure of the original Little Rock Arsenal and one of the oldest buildings in central Arkansas, it was also the birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur who would go on to be the supreme commander of US forces in the South Pacific during World War II.

The Arkansas Museum of Discovery features hands-on exhibits in the fields of science, history and technology.

The Old State House Museum is a former state capital building now home to a history museum focusing on Arkansas' recent history.

The Historic Arkansas Museum is a regional history museum focusing primarily on the frontier time period.

Libraries

The Central Arkansas Library System

includes the main building downtown and numerous branches throughout the city as well as branches in Sherwood, Maumelle and Jacksonville. The Pulaski County Law Library is located at the William H. Bowen School of Law

Education

The city has two major universities that are part of the University of Arkansas System. The campuses of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences are located within Little Rock.
   The University of Arkansas at Little Rock was founded in 1927 as Little Rock Junior College, under the supervision of the city Board of Education. The first semester open, there were eight instructors and about 100 students. The college is currently accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, a status it has kept since 1929. Housed originally in public school buildings, the college moved in 1949 to its present location between University Ave and Fair Park Blvd, North of Asher Ave, on land donated by Raymond Rebsamen, a Little Rock businessman. The college was also the sole beneficiary of a continuing trust established by former Governor George W. Donaghey at the time. In 1957, the institution began a four-year degree program, became independent and privately supported under a separate board of trustees, and took the name Little Rock University. In September 1969, The Little Rock University merged into the University of Arkansas System, to create the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The University of Arkansas System merger began a period of steady growth, which saw UALR go from about 3,500 students and 75 full-time faculty members in 1969 to about 10,000 students and over 400 full-time faculty members in the 1998 academic year. The University's expanded offerings now include 54 undergraduate major programs, an extensive schedule of night, weekend, and off-campus classes, and a wide range of community educational services. UALR began offering graduate and professional work in 1975. Besides the juris doctor offered at the William H. Bowen School of Law, UALR now has three doctoral programs and 29 graduate and professional programs, as well as joint programs with other campuses of the University of Arkansas System.
   The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is part of the University of Arkansas System. UAMS has about 2200 students in six academic units: the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Health Related Professions, and Public Health and the Graduate School. UAMS also has more than 660 resident physicians completing their training at UAMS or at one of the seven Area Health Education Centers around the state. UAMS combines the patient care resources of a state-of-the art hospital and outpatient center with the Arkansas Cancer Research Center, Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, and Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neurosciences Institute. Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System are affiliates of UAMS.
   The outreach efforts of UAMS include seven Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) in Fayetteville, Pine Bluff, El Dorado, Texarkana, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, and Helena, Arkansas.; networks of senior health centers and centers for young children with special health care needs; and interactive video education and medical consultation services to community hospitals around the state. UAMS is the state’s largest basic and applied research institution with internationally renowned programs in multiple myeloma, aging, and other areas.
   Located in downtown is the specialized Clinton School of Public Service, a branch of the University of Arkansas System, which offers a masters degree in public service.
   The city is also home to two smaller, private historically black colleges, Philander Smith College and Arkansas Baptist College.
   The public schools in Little Rock are operated by the Little Rock School District known by residents as LRSD. Currently, the district includes 64 schools with more schools being built. As of the 2005-2006 school year, the district has enrollment of 26,524. It has 5 high schools, 8 middle schools, 31 elementary schools, 1 early childhood (pre-kndergarten) center, 2 alternative schools, 1 adult education center, 1 accelerated learning center, 1 career-techinal center, and about 3,800 employees. High schools in Little Rock include:
Public

Little Rock Central High School

J. A. Fair Science and Technology Systems Magnet High School

Hall High School

McClellan Magnet High School

Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School Private

Little Rock Catholic High School

Little Rock Lutheran High School

Little Rock Christian Academy

Episcopal Collegiate School

Mount Saint Mary Academy

Pulaski Academy

Arkansas Baptist School System Lions World Services for the Blind

is the most comprehensive rehabilitation center in the world for the blind and visually impaired. Founded in 1947, the goal of the center is to enable the individual to become independent in society.

Medical

Hospitals in Little Rock include:

Arkansas Children's Hospital

Arkansas Heart Hospital

Baptist Health Medical Center

John C. McCellan Veterans Administration Complex

Arkansas State Hospital - Psychiatric Division

Pinnacle Pointe Hospital

St. Vincent Health System

Southwest Regional Medical Center

University Hospital, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Cultural

Aerospace Education Center - IMAX Theater & EpiSphere Digital Dome Theater. The IMAX Theatre features a variety of science related items. Aviation exhibits on display are an original Sopwith Camel and a replica of the Wright Flyer.

Arkansas Arboretum - Located at Pinnacle Mountain, it has an interpretive trail with flora and tree plantings.

Arkansas Arts Center - the state's largest art museum, notable for its drawings, collections and children's theater productions. It features works by Van Gogh and Rembrandt among others. The museum has eight art galleries, a museum school, gift shop and restaurant.

Arkansas Repertory Theatre - The Rep is the state's only professional non profit theatre.

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra - In its 41st season, the orchestra performs over 30 concerts a year and many special events.

Ballet Arkansas - The state's only professional ballet company.

Heifer International - headquarters of the global hunger and poverty relief organization, located adjacent to the Clinton Presidential Center

Quapaw Quarter - Turn of the century Little Rock includes three National Register historic districts with over a hundred buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours are available showing the many Victorian and Antebellum homes.

Robinson Center Music Hall - The main performance center of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

Villa Marre - An 1881 home of Italianate and Second Empire styles refurbished in the 1960s and shown in the opening scenes of the television show "Designing Women."

Wildwood Center for the Performing Arts - The largest park dedicated to the performing arts in the South. It features year round performances of opera, cabaret, and jazz. Wildwood Festival in June features chamber music, film series, art exhibits, jazz and lecture series among others. It is home to the Young Artist Tour. The park also offers a summer music camp for children.

Notable places

Arkansas State Capitol - a smaller scale replica of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. completed in 1911.

Arkansas State Fair

Little Rock Marathon

Little Rock Central High School

Little Rock Zoo - Arkansas' only zoo with over 725 animals and over 200 species.

Riverfront Park - a park located in downtown, hosts the annual Riverfest music festival, and is home to the La Petite Roche (the little rock).

River Market District - a refurbished former warehouse district and subset of downtown including an old-fashioned bazaar-style market hall, a farmers' market open from April to late October each year; and various shops, bars, restaurants and galleries.

Willow Springs Water Park - one the first water theme parks in the U.S. built in 1928.

Lake Nixon - another popular lakeside water park.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Arkansas River Trail

American Taekwondo Association World Headquarters. The American Taewkondo Association [ATA] is based in Little Rock where it hosts the World Taekwondo Championships each summer. The ATA World Headquarters is also seadquarters for all of the Songahm Taewkondo organizations including the World Taekwondo Federation, the Songahm Taekwondo Federation and the World Traditional Taewkondo Union. These combined organizations have millions of members in the USA and worldwide.

Shopping/retail

Some notable shopping locations in the city of Little Rock are:

Further Information

Get more info on 'Little Rock'.

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