History of Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

One of the first European explorers in the region, Jean-Baptiste Bénard de La Harpe, observed geological changes at the water's edge in 1722. On April 9, he made note of "rocks sticking out of the ground," referencing the first rock up the river, but he did not name it. La Harpe was more enthusiastic when it came to what he called the French Rock "le Rocher Français" the "bluff of mountainous rock" up the bend and north of the river, now called the Big Rock. The French called the smaller outcropping on the south bank "le Petit Rocher" (the little rock), with the name first showing up on a map in 1799.

"The Rock" was included in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, but the first settlement near the landmark was not made until the spring of 1812 when a trapper named William Lewis built a cabin on the bank of the river about 100 yards north from where the Old Statehouse stands today. Lewis left that October but filed a pre-emption claim on the land at the Federal Land Office in Nashville, Tennessee. According to the British naturalist Thomas Nuttall, no one permanently settled at "The Rock" until the spring of 1820, when a group of men established a town at the site. In March of that year, a U.S. post office with the name "Little Rock" was established...

Little Rock, capital of Arkansas, and seat of justice of Pulaski county, on the right or southern bank of Arkansas river, about 300 miles from its mouth, 155 miles W. by S. from Memphis, and 1065 miles W. by S. from Washington. Lat. 34° W N., Lon. 83° 10' W. It is situated on a rocky promontory, or bluff, about 50 feet high, the first that occurs in ascending the river, commanding a delightful and extensive view of the surrounding country. The state house is a fine brick edifice, rough cast. The town contains a United States arsenal, the state penitentiary, which has been once or twice burned down by the convicts, and 6 churches, all handsomely built of brick, namely, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Episcopalian, 1 Methodist, 1 Christian, and 2 Roman Catholic. There are 2 news papers published here. It has also a Ma sonic hall, an Odd-fellows' hall, and several seminaries. The United States court for the eastern district is held here. Many of the residents are planters who own estates in this part...

The Battle of Little Rock, Arkansas, which began on August 1, 1863, was a pivotal engagement during the American Civil War. This conflict was part of the broader Trans-Mississippi Theater, where Union forces sought to gain control over key Confederate positions west of the Mississippi River. Major General Frederick Steele led the Union troops in an effort to capture Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas, held by Confederate forces under the command of Major General Sterling Price.

The battle unfolded as Union forces advanced towards the city, encountering resistance from Confederate troops at various points around Little Rock. Despite fierce opposition, Steele's forces managed to overcome Confederate defenses and ultimately secured the city on September 10, 1863. The fall of Little Rock was a significant strategic victory for the Union, solidifying their control over Arkansas and disrupting Confederate supply lines in the region.

Meanwhile, the Chattanooga Campaign, also...

Little Rock, Ark., Feb. 16. - At 3 o'clock this morning fire broke out in the boiler room of the insane asylum near this place and spread rapidly, communicating with the drying room of the laundry, whence it communicated with the hot-air passages, which run all over the building. There were 75,000 gallons of water in the attic tanks, but owing to the destruction of the boiler room the pumps could not work, and only hose could be used. For a time it seemed as if the entire building would be burned.

There are nearly five hundred patients, all of whom were removed from the different wards to the first floor preparatory to taking them from the asylum. During the removal a scene of pandemonium reigned, the patients screaming, cursing, and sobbing with terror as the keepers hustled them from floor to floor until they were in comparative safety. Meanwhile the water gave out, and only the timely arrival of the fire engines and hose from this place prevented the complete destruction of the...