Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
1854 - Little Rock

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 of the state. Little Rock communicates regularly by steamboats with different points on the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers. Good clay for brick is found in the vicinity ; also quarries of fine slate, and granite very like the Quincy granite, but not so hard. A company has been formed by a number of gentlemen from Cincinnati to work the slate quarry, which is in the immediate vicinity. The origin of the name Little Rock is explained as follows: — In ascending the river there appears on the south bank, rising out of the water, a bald, igneous slate rock, which at low water is about 25 feet above the surface, but at high water is almost hid den from view. This gives name to the city, and is called by the townspeople "the Point of Rocks." Two miles above this, on the N. bank, is another rocky bluff, about 200 feet high, which is called the "Big Rock." Population in 1850, 2107; in 1863, about 3000.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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