Little Rock, Arkansas
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Image:Littlerockskyline.jpg Template:US City infobox Little Rock, Arkansas should not be confused with Littlerock.
Little Rock is the capital and largest city in the U.S. state of Arkansas. It is located in central Arkansas and is the county seat of Pulaski County. 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.
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History
- 1722 - French explorer, Bernard de la Harpe, landed near a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River which he reputedly named La Petite Roche (the little rock). La Harpe built a trading post near the little rock. The Quapaw Indians resided nearby.
- 1812 - William Lewis, a fur trapper, built a home near the little rock.
- 1820 - Little Rock is surveyed.
- 1821 - Little Rock became the capital of the Arkansas Territory formed in 1819.
- 1831 - Little Rock is incorporated as a city.
- 1836 - Arkansas became the 25th state, and Little Rock became the capital.
- 1861 - Arkansas joins the Confederacy.
- 1863 - Union forces occupy Little Rock.
- 1874 - The Brooks-Baxter War takes place in Little Rock.
- 1911 - The State Capitol building is completed. It is the third building constructed to house the state government. The former two still exist.
- 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 riots and the National Guard hindered their first attempt at enrollment. Eisenhower federalized the dispatched troops to ensure their safety and enforce their right to attend school.
- 1992 - Bill Clinton, the first person from Arkansas to be elected President of the United States gives his acceptance speech from in front of the Old State House in downtown Little Rock.
- 2004 - Clinton Library opens in Downtown Little Rock with a host of dignitaries and celebrities, including current and former presidents
Early Origins and Miscellaneous Facts
Arkansas was originally inhabited by many Native American groups. Many artifacts have been found that suggest these Native Americans inhabited Arkansas thousands of years before European settlers arrived. These original inhabitants include the Folsom people, Bluff Dwellers, Mound Builders, Caddo, Quapaws, Osage, Choctaw and Cherokee. Arkansas was left untouched by European hands until 1541 when Hernado de Soto of Spain traveled through the area.
The name "Arkansas" reflects both our French and Indian heritage. The French explorers referred to the native Americans who lived in northern Arkansas as "Arkansaes" (meaning South Wind).
The spelling comes from early French usage and the precedent set by the Arkansas Gazette. The pronunciation was determined by the General Assembly of 1881 after much investigation. The name is pronounced "Ark-an-saw", not "Ark-an-sas". At one time it was against the law to mispronounce the name, so be careful out there!
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" 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.
Arkansas is the "natural state" and our state motto is "regnat populus " (Latin for "the people rule").
Over 100 years later in 1682 La Salle claimed the land for the King of France. In 1686, Henri de Tonti, another frenchman, founded the Arkansas Post. This was the first permanent white settlement in the area. France owned Arkansas until 1762 when France ceded much of the Louisiana Territory, including Arkansas, to Spain.
Arkansas became a territory in 1819. In 1836, the territory had a population of 60,000 and was eligible to become a state. Arkansas became the 25th state in the United States on June 15 of 1936. The population grew steadily over the next 24 years and in 1860 had a population of 435,000. Farmers in the southern regions of Arkansas constituted the majority of the population although 25 percent of the population was slaves.
After becoming a part of the union only 30 years before, in 1861 Arkansas decided to secede from the Union to support the confederacy. The Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove battles of the American Civil War were fought in Arkansas. After the Civil War ended in 1865, Reconstruction began. As part of the Reconstruction effort changes were made to the state constitution. In 1874 the constitution that we use today was ratified.
The Arkansas flag was created in 1913 when the battleship USS Arkansas was commissioned. The Daughters of the American Revolution discovered that there was no state flag to present to ship with (presenting a flag to ships was traditional). They decided to hold a flag designing competition. Miss Willie Hocker of Wabbaseka designed the winning flag which looked much like the flag we fly today.
The original flag was a white diamond on a red field bordered by twenty-five white stars on a blue band. Three blue stars in a straight line were centered in the diamond. Miss Hocker explained that the three colors (red, white and blue) designated Arkansas as a member of the Union. The diamond shape signified Arkansas as the only state in North America where diamonds had been found and mined. The three stars in the center of the diamond had three meanings.
They represented the three countries that Arkansas had been a part of (Spain, France and the United States), the date of the Louisiana purchase which made Arkansas part of the US (1803) and the fact that Arkansas was the 3rd state created from the Louisiana purchase land. The 25 stars around the flag designated Arkansas as the 25th state of the Union. Hocker modified the flag several times before it was ratified as the official flag.
However, before it was ratified the flag had to be modified once again because there was no representation that Arkansas had been a part of the confederacy on it. The legislature eventually added a fourth star to represent the confederacy. The single solitary star above the name represents the confederacy. Because adding the forth star made the flag look asymmetrical (the bottom three stars were still arranged in a straight line) the legislator also offset one of the stars at the bottom giving us the flag we fly today<ref>Let's Get Historical!</ref>.
Geography
Little Rock is located at 34°44'10" North, 92°19'52" West (34.736009, -92.331122)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 302.5 km² (116.8 mi²). 301.0 km² (116.2 mi²) of it is land and 1.6 km² (0.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.52% 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.
Climate Data
Demographics
Image:Oldstatehouse.jpg 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 608.5/km² (1,576.0/mi²). There were 84,793 housing units at an average density of 281.7/km² (729.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.07% White, 40.41% African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.66% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.28% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. 2.67% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 77,352 households, out of which 28.6% have 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. There are 2,997 (3.8% of all households) unmarried partner households: 2,504 (3.2% of all households) heterosexual, 193 (0.25%) same-sex male, and 300 (0.39%) same-sex female households. 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
As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the Little Rock-North Little Rock MSA had a total population of 610,518 including the following counties: Pulaski, Faulkner, Grant, Lonoke, Perry, and Saline. The largest cities include North Little Rock, Conway, Jacksonville, Benton, Sherwood, Cabot, Maumelle, and Bryant.The 2004 census estimate for the area was 636,636 people.
The Combined Statistical Area of Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff had a population of 785,024 as of the 2000 census. The Combined area had a population of 813,160 as of 2004 from the census bureau estimates.
Economy
Little Rock is headquarters of several companies including Alltel, Acxiom, Dillard's, and Heifer International, as well as Stephens, Inc. — one of the largest investment firms off Wall Street and often noted by its association with Wesley Clark.
Education
Image:Clinton library.jpg The city is the site of two universities in the University of Arkansas System, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences campuses.
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. That first semester there were eight instructors and about 100 students. By 1929, the college was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, a status it has kept through changes in size and status. Housed at first in public school buildings, the college moved in 1949 to its present location in southwest Little Rock on a beautifully wooded site donated by Raymond Rebsamen, a Little Rock businessman. The college was also by that time the sole beneficiary of a continuing trust established by former Governor George W. Donaghey.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. Image:Dickinson hall1.jpg Image:AR LR Central High.jpg After several years of discussion and study, Little Rock University in September 1969 merged with the University of Arkansas to create the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The University of Arkansas merger began a period of rapid 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 1998-99 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, 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 more than $107 million in annual research funding, grants and contracts and internationally renowned programs in multiple myeloma, aging, and other areas.
One of the largest public employers in the state with almost 9,000 employees, UAMS and its affiliates, Arkansas Childrens' 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 public schools in Little Rock are operated by the Little Rock School District The school district's most notable public high school is the Little Rock Central High School. The school was the site of struggles over desegregation of schools.
Sites of interest
- Aerospace Education Center - IMAX Theater & EpiSphere Digital Dome Theater
- Arkansas Arboretum
- Arkansas Arts Center - the state's largest art museum, notable for its drawings collections and children's theater productions
- Arkansas Museum of Discovery - Arkansas Museum of Science & History
- Arkansas Repertory Theatre - The Rep
- Arkansas River Trail
- Arkansas State Capitol - a smaller-scale replica of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., completed in 1911
- William J. Clinton Presidential Center - a library and museum detailing the two terms of Clinton's presidency
- Heifer International - headquarters of the global hunger and poverty relief organization, located adjacent to the Clinton Presidential Center
- Historic Arkansas Museum - a regional history museum focusing primarily on the frontier time period
- Little Rock Central High School
- Little Rock Zoo
- MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History - a military museum dedicated to interpreting Arkansas' role in military history
- Old State House Museum - a former state capitol building now home to a history museum focusing on Arkansas' recent history
- Pinnacle Mountain State Park - a state park near northwest Little Rock
- Riverfront Park - a park located in downtown, hosts the annual Riverfest music festival, and home to 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 from April to late October each year; and various shops, bars, restaurants and galleries
- Robinson Center Music Hall - The main performance center of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.
Sports
Little Rock is home to the Arkansas Travelers. They are the AA Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They play at Ray Winder Field and are in the Texas League. The team is scheduled move into Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock in April 2007.
Little Rock is home to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Trojans. The majority of the schools athletic teams are housed in the new state-of-the-art Jack Stephens Center.
The Little Rock area is also home to the Arkansas Twisters of the af2 arena football league and the Arkansas RimRockers of the NBA Development League as well. Both of these teams play at the Alltel Arena in North Little Rock.
Many central Arkansans enjoy the University of Arkansas Razorbacks from Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks play football twice yearly at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock and the UA men's basketball team plays once yearly at Alltel Arena.
The now defunct Arkansas RiverBlades and Arkansas GlacierCats, both minor-league hockey teams, were located in the Little Rock area. The GlacierCats of the now defunct WPHL played in Little Rock at Barton Coliseum while the RiverBlades of the ECHL played at the Alltel Arena.
Transportation
A number of highways converge near Little Rock. I-40 passes through North Little Rock to the north. US 67 and US 167 share the same route from the northeast before splitting, with US 67 multiplexing with Interstate 30 to the southwest and US 67 multiplexing with US 65 and I-530 to the southeast. US 65 shares the same route as I-30 from the east. Other highways include I-430, I-440, I-530, and I-630. I-530 terminates in Little Rock after originating in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Air service is provided by Little Rock National Airport, offering nine major airlines with non-stop service to 15 major airports. Amtrak also serves the city twice daily via its Texas Eagle line, with connections to Chicago and Dallas.
Within the city, bus service is provided by the Central Arkansas Transit Authority (CATA), with 16 regular daily routes and two express routes throughout the Little Rock area. Additional service includes four connecting routes originating in Little Rock serving North Little Rock daily excluding Sundays; morning and early evening Monday-Friday express routes to Maumelle and Jacksonville/Sherwood; special events shuttle buses; and paratransit service for disabled persons.
Since November 2004, downtown areas of Little Rock and North Little Rock have been additionally served by the River Rail Electric Streetcar system, also operated by CATA. The streetcars are the first to operate in Little Rock since 1947, and the first in North Little Rock since 1939.
Notable people
The band Evanescence has its roots here, as does World Champion Middleweight Boxer Jermain Taylor. Former 2004 presidential contender and former NATO Commander Wesley Clark lives in Little Rock. Actress Joey Lauren Adams was born in Little Rock and attended North Little Rock High School. Actress Mary Steenburgen attended North Little Rock High School. Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, resided in Little Rock until purchasing the NFL Franchise. NBA players Derek Fisher and Joe Johnson both were born in Little Rock, the former attending Parkview High School and the latter Central High. Richard Thalheimer, the founder and CEO of The Sharper Image, is a Little Rock native, graduating Hall High School in Little Rock.
References
- 1. Galiano, Amanda. "Let's Get Historical-Early Arkansas." About.com Cities & Towns. 19 April 2006. [1].
- 2.City-data.com. "Average Climate in Little Rock, Arkansas. Based on data reported by over 4000 weather stations." 19 April 2006. [2].
External links
- Little Rock City Government website
- Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau website
- DINA City of Little Rock webpage
- DowntownLittleRock.com
- Downtown Little Rock Partnership
- Arkansas Business newspaper
- Arkansas Democrat-Gazette newspaper
- Arkansas Times newspaper
- Heart of Arkansas Tourism Association
- Little Rock Family magazine
- Little Rock Guest Guide
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