Little Rock is the largest city and has the most number of residents in the state of Arkansas. It is also the capital city of Arkansas. The name “Little Rock” was derived from the French word La Petite Roche, a rock formation at the Arkansas River. The small rock formation is still visible at Riverfront Park at present. It is believed that William Lewis, a fur trapper, was the first person to settle in the area in 1812.
Before Arkansas became a territory, Little Rock was nothing but forest. Because of the city’s ideal location, the territorial capital was moved to Little Rock two years after Arkansas became a territory. In 1831, Little Rock was formally incorporated as a city. Following the admission of Arkansas in the Union, Little Rock has named the capital of the state.
In 1881, the construction of the city’s Courthouse and post office began. Union forces seized the city during the Civil War and were under the control of the military until the war ended. During the Union occupation, a military cemetery was created for the dead bodies in the entire state of Arkansas. It was, later on, named the Little Rock National Cemetery in 1868. The Mount Holly Cemetery was erected in 1884 for the Confederate soldiers. The Confederate cemetery, later on, became the national cemetery’s Confederate Section.
In 1874, Little Rock became the venue for the Brooks-Baxter War. The conflict involving the Republican Party lasted for a month and was concluded after President Ulysses Grant decided that Elisha Baxter was the official governor of Arkansas. The Charity Hospital was established by Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. While there was no physical hospital, they had few physicians. To commemorate St. Vincent de Paul, the hospital’s name was changed to St. Vincent Infirmary. Little Rock became the heart of a network of railroad lines in 1880s. Following the establishment of many locks and dams across along the Arkansas River, Little Rock’s economy made significant development. Little Rock, later on, turned into a port.
After Governor Orval Faubus of Arkansas impeded a court order to unify Central High School in 1957, Little Rock gained popularity for the wrong reason. During that time, President Dwight D. Eisenhower deployed federal troops to the city and put Little Rock under the federal ruling. When Governor Bill Clinton was elected as U.S. President, Little Rock was once again put into the spotlight. General Wesley Clark, a local of Little Rock and U.S. Army Retired, attempted for the Democratic nomination but was unsuccessful.
Living history and depictions of the territorial history of Little Rock is placed in the Arkansas Territorial Restoration. The area is the venue for many government meetings before Arkansas was turned into a state. In 1833, what is now regarded as the Old Arkansas State House was completed. It functioned as the state capitol for more than seven decades. The structure is the oldest state capitol building located west of the river of Mississippi. The city houses one of the oldest Black congregations statewide. You can find the Aerospace Education Center, one of the main attractions in Little Rock.