A Brief Word From The Editor
With over 10 years in the industry, producing local community guides, relocation guides, maps, NATIONAL raceway tracks, high school sports posters, sports event memorable, and college sports schedules we know ADVERTISING!
With a long (emphasis on long) time in this industry, we searched for a more effective, and up to date way to get our readers our informational magazine. With all of the IPads, Kindles, Androids, and cellphones we searched high and low for a way to reach newmovers. The first idea was “we could produce books with information about a county and set up distribution points so new movers could find out the attractions, events, and also aware new-comers of local businesses, but wait how would that help customers that,
haven’t decided yet, or people that don’t pick up magazines like this, and what if we produce too many we would just be hurting the environment, so we came up for away to solve all of those problems. On-line Guides! No extra waste, no extra liter!, also in this day and age how much is actually done in hard copy anymore, newspapers are digital, and people like the idea of being able to take media like this with them so they can take it anywhere and read it at their leisure, and it’s kinda hard to lose this copy, because all of our publications are readable by all of the leading digital readers, tablets, and cell phones, if you have internet access then you have our magazine! We also do print hard copies for people that request them.
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Pulaski County is a county in the U.S. state of Arkansas with a population of 391,284, making it the most populous county in Arkansas. Its county seat is Little Rock, which is also Arkansas’s capital and largest city. Pulaski County is Arkansas’s fifth county, formed on December 15, 1818, alongside Clark and Hempstead counties. The county is named for Count Casimir Pulaski, a Polish volunteer who saved George Washington’s life during the American Revolutionary War. Pulaski County is included in the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area which had 724,385 people in the 2013 census estimates. The Little Rock, North Little Rock Combined Statistical Area had 898,683 people in the 2013 census estimates. History An 1863 American Civil War battle, the Battle of Bayou Fourche, occurred in Pulaski County. Pulaski County is also home to Willow Springs Water Park, which is one of the oldest waterparks in the nation, opening in 1928. Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 808 square miles (2,090 km2), of which 760 square miles (2,000 km2) is land and 48 square miles (120 km2) World Views Guides
(5.9%) is water. Adjacent counties Faulkner County (north) Lonoke County (east) Jefferson County (south) Saline County (west) Perry County (northwest) National protected area Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Demographics As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 361,474 people, 147,942 households, and 95,718 families residing in the county. The population density was 469 people per square mile (181/km²). There were 161,135 housing units at an average density of 209 per square mile (81/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 63.96% White, 31.87% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 1.25% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.09% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. 2.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 147,942 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.90% were married couples living together, 15.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.30% were non-families. 30.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The
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average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.98. In the county the population was spread out with 25.20% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 92.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.20 males. The median income for a household in the county was $38,120, and the median income for a family was $46,523. Males had a median income of $33,131 versus $25,943 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,466. About 10.40% of families and 13.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.90% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over. Education The Pulaski County Special School District is the county’s public school district for 729 square miles (1,890 km2) surrounding Little Rock and North Little Rock, which maintain independent districts. Also the Little Rock School District and North Little Rock School District. Pulaski Technical College is a two-year community college and technical school that of-
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fers seven locations throughout the county, including a flagship campus in western North Little Rock. Four-year postsecondary institutions include the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the University of Arkansas System’s only metropolitan campus, the United Methodist Church-affiliated Philander Smith College, Arkansas Baptist College, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences — all located in Little Rock. Government and infrastructure The Arkansas Department of Correction Wrightsville Unit is in Wrightsville. Communities Cities Cammack Village Jacksonville Little Rock Maumelle North Little Rock Sherwood Wrightsville Town Alexander Census-designated places College Station Gibson Gravel Ridge Hensley McAlmont Landmark Sweet Home Woodson Other places Crystal Hill
Ironton Natural Steps Woodyardville Townships Townships in Arkansas are the divisions of a county. Each township includes unincorporated areas and some may have incorporated towns or cities within part of their space. Townships have limited purposes in modern times. However, the US Census does list Arkansas population based on townships (often referred to as “minor civil divisions”). Townships are also of value for historical purposes in terms of genealogical research. Each town or city is within one or more townships in an Arkansas county based on census maps. Pulaski County only has two townships, as of 2010. Little Rock, Arkansas Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the State of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had a population of 724,385 people in the 2013 census estimate. The MSA is included in the Little Rock-North Little Rock, AR Combined Statistical Area, which had a population of 898,683 in the 2013 census estimate. As of the 2010 census, Little Rock had a city proper population of 193,52 It is the county seat of Pulaski County. 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 (French: “the little rock”). The “little rock” was used by early river traffic as a landmark and became a well-known river crossing. The “little rock” is across the river from “big rock,” a large bluff at the edge of the river, which was once used as a rock quarry. There have been two ships of the United States Navy named after the city, including USS Little Rock. History Origins Archeological artifacts provide evidence of Native Americans inhabiting Central Arkansas for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. The early inhabitants may have included the Folsom people, Bluff Dwellers, and Mississippian culture peoples who built earthwork mounds recorded in 1541 by Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. Historical tribes of the area included the Caddo, Quapaw, Osage, Choctaw, and Cherokee. Little Rock was named for a stone outcropping on the bank of the Arkansas River used by early travelers as a landmark. La Petite Roche (French for “the Little Rock”), named in 1721 by French explorer and trader Jean-Baptiste Bénard de la Harpe, marked the transition from the flat Mississippi
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Delta region to the Ouachita Mountain foothills. Travelers referred to the area as “the Little Rock,” and the landmark name stuck. Geography Little Rock is located at 34°44′10″N 92°19′52″W (34.736009, −92.331122). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 116.8 square miles (303 km2), of which, 116.2 square miles (301 km2) of it is 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 are 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 is a separate city. North Little Rock was once the 8th ward of Little Rock. An Arkansas Supreme Court decision on February 6, 1904, allowed the ward to merge with the neighboring town of North Little Rock. The merged town quickly renamed itself Argenta (the local name for the former 8th Ward), but returned to
its original name in October 1917. Climate Little Rock lies in the humid subtropical climate zone, with hot, humid summers and mild winters, with usually little snow. It has experienced temperatures as low as −12 °F (−24 °C), which was recorded on February 12, 1899, and as high as 114 °F (46 °C), which was recorded on August 3, 2011. Neighborhoods Inside Little Rock’s city limits, there are numerous different neighborhoods. They are Apple Gate, Birchwood, Breckenridge, Broadmoor, Brodie Creek, Candlewood, Capitol View, Capitol View/Stifft’s Station, Chenal Ridge, Cloverdale, Colony West, Downtown, East End, Echo Valley, Fair Park, Geyer Springs, Gibraltar Heights, Granite Mountain, Gum Springs, Hall High, The Heights, Highland Park, Hillcrest, John Barrow, Leawood, Mabelvale, Mushroom Pass, Oak Forest, Otter Creek, Parkway Place, Pleasant Valley, Quapaw Quarter, River Mountain, River Ridge, Riverdale, Robinwood, Rock Creek, Rosedale, St. Charles, Santa Fe Heights, South End, South Little Rock, Southwest Little Rock, Stagecoach, Sturbridge, the Villages of Wellington, Wakefield, West End and Woodland Edge.
Capitol View/Stifft’s Station Capitol View/Stifft’s Station is a neighborhood in Little Rock, located in the west central portion of the city encompassing approximately 1500 homes. Roughly, its boundaries include the area south of West Markham, north of Interstate 630, east of Pine, and west of Summit, as well as south of Riverview between Park and Summit. Capitol View/Stifft’s Station is just west of Downtown, north of the Central High School Historic District, Southeast of Pulaski Heights and uses the 72205 ZIP code. The Capitol View/ Stifft’s Station neighborhood is the result of Little Rock’s early 20th century westward growth. Located west of the Arkansas State Capitol, Capitol View and Stifft’s Station were the combined result of numerous additions to, what was at the time, western Little Rock. The architecture of the neighborhood is predominantly Craftsman, Craftsman Bungalow, and Bungalow with modest Tudor or Colonial Revival detailing. One may also find Shotgun Houses, Queen Anne or American Foursquarestyled homes, as well as various period revival influences including Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture. The dominance of these styles in the neighborhood reflects its World Views Guides | August 2014
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principal growth period of stratification is that almost 52 1920 to 1929, with roughly percent of the households in 40% of building stock conthe area are classified as low structed within this decade. and moderate income; howCombined with construction ever, the westernmost quarter undertaken in the 1930s, this of the neighborhood is over 61 period accounts for the mapercent low and moderate injority of housing stock built come, while 60 percent of the within the neighborhood. “Johnson – Woodrow area” Although construction of In- households are higher income. terstate 630 in the 1970s draOver 53 percent of the Capimatically altered the southern tol View/Stifft’s Station area edges of the area, the neighhouseholds were at an inborhood is largely intact and come level, in 1990, between much of the original housing $10,000 and $30,000.[4 This stock remains. compares to 38.1 percent of There are architecturally and the households in Little Rock historically significant strucwhile, at the upper end, only tures and sites which merit 9.6 percent of households in preservation and protection the area had incomes over within the area. Two struc$50,000. The citywide percent tures in the area are listed on of households with incomes the National Register of His- over $50,000 was 22.2 percent toric Places, the T.R. McGuire in 1990. House and Lamar Porter Field. The population profile of The neighborhood also conthe neighborhood, in 1996, tains two historic districts, The showed an area more middleCapitol View Historic District aged than that of Little Rock and the Stifft Station Historic (residents aged over 65 and District. As of 1996, approxiless than 18 both represented mately two percent of the a lesser percentage than that City of Little Rock’s residents of the overall city populacalled the Capitol View/Stifft’s tion). In addition, the female Station area home. The racial population is slightly larger in distribution within the neighthe area than citywide (54.4 borhood is similar to that of to 53.6 percent). Single parent the city: approximately 34 per- households also account for a cent black and just under 65 greater percentage of neighpercent white. However, also borhood households than like the city, the neighborhood citywide. All of the increases is subdivided geographically in single parent households into different socio-economic come from female headed zones. An example of this households. For the city, World Views Guides
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11.4% of households are single parent homes.Family and household sizes are generally smaller in Capitol View/Stifft’s Station than compared with the rest of the city. This is due in part to the high percentage of one person households (41.8 percent compared to 32 percent city wide). The neighborhood is overwhelmingly single family at over 63 percent. The Central Arkansas Transit Authority provides bus service in and through the neighborhood. One Downtown to West Little Rock route travels Markham Street to Kavanaugh Boulevard providing residents access to both Downtown and the Rodney Parham Road area. Bus routes along 7th Street and Capitol Avenue provide access to the West Markham Street area and the Otter Creek Neighborhood. The bus system is radial, downtown to the outskirts and back, much like the spokes of a wheel. Therefore, to go east, north, or south, the rider must first go downtown and transfer. The Capitol View/Stifft’s Station neighborhood has a service level as good as any residential area in metropolitan Little Rock. Capitol View/Stifft’s Station has no fire stations, either historic or modern, within its boundaries. One surmises that this area’s fire protection needs
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were served, initially, by either Fire Station #3, which was opened at 3515 12th in 1911, or Fire Station #7, in operation by 1916 at Beechwood and Prospect (now Kavanaugh). East Little Rock Predominantly industrial in development, East Little Rock generally refers to most portions of Little Rock located east of Interstate 30. The lowlying easternmost end of Arkansas’ capital city is marked by distribution facilities and warehouses, Clinton National Airport and its environs, the Port of Little Rock, and various manufacturers. A small amount of residential areas can also be found dispersed throughout East Little Rock, progressing towards censusdesignated places including College Station and Sweet Home. Industrial use of this area started as early as 1917, when the US government contracted with a chemical company to produce picric acid to sell to the French government for weapons. Labor was brought in from other states and Puerto Rico. Physically and economically, East Little Rock often contrasts sharply with the newest, westernmost neighborhoods of Little Rock. The two parts of the city are linked via Interstate 630, which has its first west-bound access near East 15th Street.
Part of East Little Rock has received tremendous attention since the late 2004 opening of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park near the banks of the Arkansas River. Development and subsequent opening of the facility and its adjoining Clinton School of Public Service, affiliated with the University of Arkansas, has served as a catalyst in plans to further improve its immediate area along the riverfront and downtown’s River Market District. The next major addition for East Little Rock, the new headquarters of Heifer International adjacent to the Clinton library campus, opened on January 30, 2006. Mabelvale Mabelvale was a small, unincorporated train station town in southwestern Pulaski County until being annexed into Little Rock in the late 1970s or early 1980s. The area today is part of Little Rock’s seventh ward, while retaining a separate postal designation and ZIP code from most of the rest of the city. The neighborhood is currently represented on Little Rock’s City Board of Directors by Brenda “B.J.” Wyrick. The neighborhood is generally defined as the homes and businesses in the immediate area surrounding the intersection of Mabelvale Main Street and the Union Pacific railroad line. Its location on
the south-central fringe of Little Rock proper — as well as proximity to unincorporated communities, neighborhoods in Southwest Little Rock and adjoining towns such as Shannon Hills which share the ZIP code — often leads to varying definitions of Mabelvale’s boundaries. The Heights and Hillcrest The Heights and Hillcrest are neighborhoods in the northcentral portion of Little Rock. Although distinct today, they were once part of the same Little Rock suburb called Pulaski Heights. Pulaski Heights first developed in the 1890s, was incorporated in 1903, and was annexed by Little Rock in 1916. Today, The Heights is an upper-middle-income residential neighborhood. It is marked by boutiques and restaurants along Kavanaugh Boulevard, St. John’s Seminary, and the Country Club of Little Rock. Hillcrest likewise centers around a section of Kavanaugh Boulevard. It is sometimes described as the “funkier” cousin of The Heights. Its landmarks include Mount St. Mary Academy, Allsopp Park, several major churches, and restaurants and bars. Chenal Valley A sizable and more recently developed section of the city, Chenal Valley is in the westcentral section of Little Rock,
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known as West Little Rock. Its name is derived from the area’s Shinall Mountain, but Deltic Timber Corporation, a major early developer of the area, opted to alter the name to mimic French language as part of a strategy (known as foreign branding) to orient the residential and commercial development toward upperclass population segments. Chenal Valley is one of the more expensive residential areas in Little Rock with typical homes in the $200,000 to $2,000,000 price range. The main thoroughfare is Chenal Parkway, mostly a divided four-lane path chiefly connecting Highway 10 to west Little Rock’s Financial Centre business district. Chenal Parkway’s northwestern terminus is just north of Highway 10 at Highway 300, near the Pinnacle Valley neighborhood. The southeastern terminus lies at Autumn Road at a transition to Financial Centre Parkway, with continuation to a conversion into Interstate 630 at Shackleford Road. Chenal Valley is known for its rapid development since 1990, when Chenal Country Club was established and some of the earliest of the area’s current crop of homes were built. Those and other residences, including a limited number of apartment and condominium complexes, can be found scat-
tered throughout a part of Throughout the Quapaw Little Rock that has for now Quarter, many small and large retained much of its pre-dehomes from the Antebellum velopment wooded areas. and Victorian eras can be Several mass-market retailfound, in addition to several ers populate Chenal’s eastern examples of Craftsman-style commercial corridor near the architecture. Scott, Center and Financial Centre area, includSpring streets, in particular, ing industry leaders Wal-Mart, are where many such homes Kroger, Target, Home Depot stand today. The exterior of and Barnes & Noble. Chenal is the Villa Marre, one such also home to the headquarters home, was known nationally of the Nuvell unit of GMAC as the outside of the home Financial Services, an imcontaining the office of Sugportant employer for the city arbaker Designs, the fictional overall. Atlanta-based interior design Quapaw Quarter firm on the CBS sitcom DeThe Quapaw Quarter of Little signing Women. The actual Rock is a section of the city home is located along Little including its oldest and most Rock’s Scott Street, and has historic business and residenbeen a former home for the tial neighborhoods. The name office of the Quapaw Quarter of the area was first given in Association, the chief organi1961, honoring the Quapaw zation that sponsors historic Indians who once lived in the preservation efforts in the area centuries ago. area. As many as fifteen separate Governor’s Mansion District National Historic Register Along with the Villa Marre, Districts make up the Quapaw the exterior of the Arkansas Quarter, including more than Governor’s Mansion was also 200 separate homes and build- featured on Designing Womings on the National Register en, shown as the home of Suof Historic Places. Trapnall zanne Sugarbaker. The manHall, situated along East Capi- sion and its grounds comprise tol Avenue, was among the a city block, dividing Center first of the homes built in 1843 Street in its 1800-numbered as the home of early state legblock, and anchor the city’s islator Frederic Trapnall and Governor’s Mansion Historic his wife, Martha. Structures District, encompassing many housing businesses on Main homes and businesses along Street and Broadway south of and around lower Broadway. Interstate 630 are among this The first official residence of group as well. Arkansas’s governors opened World Views Guides | August 2014
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on January 10, 1950, to a week-long open house for all Arkansans. The Georgian Colonial Revival home was renovated and expanded from 2000 through 2002, reopening for the inauguration of Mike Huckabee’s second full term as governor in early 2003. The MacArthur Park Historic District, dedicated in 1981, adjoins the city’s MacArthur Park along East 9th Street, including the Arkansas Arts Center and the circa-1840 Tower Building of the Little Rock Arsenal. This building in the district contains the birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur, a foremost commander of American forces in the Pacific Theater during World War II. South Main Residential Historic District The South Main Residential Historic District — nicknamed SoMa by some area locals — was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007 according to the Department of Arkansas Heritage. The district which runs along South Main Street between 19th and 24th streets is notable for its assortment of quality late-nineteenth and early twentieth century residential architecture, including specifically the Queen Anne, Craftsman and Colonial Revival styles. Government World Views Guides
The city has operated under the city manager form of government since November 1957. In 1993, voters approved changes from seven at-large city directors (who rated the position of mayor among themselves) to a popularly elected mayor, seven ward directors and three at-large directors. The position of mayor remained a part-time position until August 2007. At that point, voters approved making the mayor’s position a fulltime position with veto power. The current Mayor is Mark Stodola, a former Little Rock City Attorney and prosecuting attorney. The current City Manager is Bruce T. Moore, who is the longest-serving City Manager in Little Rock history. The city employs over 2,500 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, including the Quorum, Circuit, District, and Juvenile Courts; and the Assessor, County Judge, County Attorney, and Public Defenders offices. Both the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit have judicial facilities in Little Rock. The city
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is served by the Little Rock Police Department. Demographics Historical population Census Pop. %± 1850 2,167 — 1860 3,727 72.0% 1870 12,380 232.2% 1880 13,138 6.1% 1890 25,874 96.9% 1900 38,307 48.1% 1910 45,941 19.9% 1920 65,142 41.8% 1930 81,679
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25.4% 1940 88,039
up 52.7% of Little Rock’s population; of which 49.4% were non-Hispanic whites, down from 74.1% in 1970. Blacks or 7.8% African Americans made up 1950 42.1% of Little Rock’s popu102,213 lation; of which 42.0% were non-Hispanic blacks. Ameri16.1% can Indians made up 0.4% of 1960 Little Rock’s population while 107,813 Asian Americans made up 2.1% of the city’s population. 5.5% Pacific Islander Americans 1970 made up less than 0.1% of the 132,483 city’s population. Individuals from some other race made up 22.9% 1.2% of the city’s population; 1980 of which 0.2% were non-His159,151 panic. Individuals from two or more races made up 1.4% of 20.1% the city’s population; of which 1990 1.1% were non-Hispanic. In 175,795 addition, Hispanics and Latinos made up 4.7% of Little 10.5% Rock’s population. 2000 As of the 2010 census, there 183,133 were 193,524 people, 77,352 households, and 46,488 fami4.2% lies residing in the city. The 2010 population density was 1,576.0 193,524 people per square mile (608.5/ km²). There were 84,793 5.7% housing units at an average Est. 2013 density of 729.7 per square 197,357 mile (281.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.1% 2.0% White, 40.4% Black, 0.3% NaU.S. Decennial Census tive American, 1.7% Asian, 2013 Estimate 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.28% As of the 2005–2007 Amerifrom other races, and 1.28% can Community Survey con- from two or more races. 2.7% ducted by the U.S. Census Bu- of the population is Hispanic reau, White Americans made 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 2013 U.S. Census population estimate for the Little
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Rock-North Little Rock-Con469,520 Associations include the way, AR Metropolitan Statis1950 American Taekwondo Astical Area was 724,385. The 288,070 sociation, Arkansas Hospital MSA includes the following 428,220 Association, and the Quapaw counties: Pulaski, Faulkner, Economy and business Quarter Association. Grant, Lonoke, Perry, and Sa- Major corporations headquar- Major employers throughout line. The largest cities include tered in Little Rock include Little Rock include Arkansas Little Rock, North Little Rock, Dillard’s Department Stores, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Conway, Jacksonville, Benton, Windstream Communications Baptist Health Medical CenSherwood, Cabot, Maumelle, and Acxiom. ter, Entergy, Dassault Falcon and Bryant. Additional large companies Jet, Siemens, AT&T Mobility, The 2013 U.S. Census popuheadquartered in Little Rock Kroger, Euronet Worldwide, lation estimate for the Little include Metropolitan National L’Oréal Paris, Timex, and Rock-North Little Rock, AR Bank, Bank of the Ozarks, UAMS. Combined Statistical Area was Rose Law Firm, Nuvell FinanOne of the largest public 898,683 cial Services, Central Flying employers in the state with Metropolitan Area, Combined Service and large brokerage over 10,552 employees, the Area population Stephens Inc. University of Arkansas for Year Large companies headquarMedical Sciences (UAMS) and Metropolitan tered in other cities but with its healthcare partners — ArArea a large presence in Little Rock kansas Children’s Hospital and Combined include Dassault Falcon Jet the Central Arkansas Veterans Area near Little Rock National Healthcare System—have a 2013 est. Airport in the eastern part of total economic impact in Ar724,385 the city, and Fidelity National kansas of about $5 billion per 898,683 Information Services in north- year. UAMS receives less than 2010 western Little Rock. 11% of its funding from the 699,757 Despite its size, Little Rock state. Its operation is funded 877,091 and its surroundings are the by payments for clinical ser2000 headquarters for some of the vices (64%), grants and con610,518 largest and most recognizable tracts (18%), philanthropy and 785,024 non-profit organizations in other (5%), and tuition and 1990 the world, including Winrock fees (2%). 535,034 International, Heifer InterThe Little Rock port is an national, the Association of intermodal river port with 1980 Community Organizations for a large industrial business 494,738 Reform Now, Clinton Foundacomplex. It is designated as 657,548 tion, Lions World Services for Foreign Trade Zone 14. In1970 the Blind, Clinton Presidenternational corporations such 396,462 tial Center, Winthrop Rockas Danish manufacturer LM efeller Foundation, FamilyLife, Glasfiber have established new 1960 Audubon Arkansas, and The facilities adjacent to the port 334,011 Nature Conservancy. in recent years. World Views Guides
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Along with Louisville and Memphis, Little Rock has a branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Awards and recognition 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. The Brookings Institution ranks Little Rock as the 7th best metropolitan economy in the United States in 2009 with the second best overall growth from 2008 to 2009 after Des Moines. Little Rock was named the 2nd cleanest city in America in 2011 by Forbes magazine. Kiplinger names Little Rock as the #1 place to live among metropolitan areas under one million people in July 2013. Outside magazine named Little Rock one of its 2013 Best Towns. Museums The Arkansas Arts Center, the state’s largest cultural institution, is a museum of art and an active center for the visual and performing arts. The Museum of Discovery features hands-on exhibits in the fields of science, history and technology. The William J. Clinton Presidential Center includes the Clinton presidential library World Views Guides
and the offices of the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton School of Public Service. The Library 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 library showcases artifacts from Clinton’s term and includes a fullscale 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 Historic Arkansas Museum is a regional history museum focusing primarily on the frontier time period. 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.
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The Old State House Museum is a former state capitol building now home to a history museum focusing on Arkansas’ recent history. The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is a state operated history museum focusing on African American history and culture in Arkansas. Education Colleges and universities 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 city also is home to a pair of smaller, historically black colleges, Philander Smith College, affiliated with the United Methodist Church, and Arkansas Baptist College. 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
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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 2,200 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 Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, 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 melanoma, 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 master’s degree in public service. Pulaski Technical College has two locations in Little Rock. The Pulaski Technical College Little Rock-South site is located at 13000 Interstate 30 in the former Little Rock Expo building near the Pulaski and Saline County line. Almost half of the building’s 159,000 square feet houses the Pulaski Technical College Transportation Technology Center programs in automotive technology, collision repair technology, commercial driver training, diesel technology, small engine repair technology and motorcycle/ all-terrain vehicle repair technology. Little Rock-South also houses the Pulaski Technical College Arkansas Culinary School and its The Finish Line Cafe, which is operated by culinary school staff, culinary arts instructors and students. BreakWorld Views Guides | August 2014
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fast and lunch are offered the Arkansas School for the well. PCSSD high schools in weekdays. Blind (ASB) and the Arkansas the city include: Pulaski Tech offers a variety School for the Deaf (ASD), Mills University Studies High of general and developmental which are state-run schools School education courses at its Little operated by the Board of Joe T. Robinson High School Rock-South location. In addi- Trustees of the ASB–ASD. In Private schools tion, students have access to addition, eStem Public Char- The city is home to a variety of services they enjoy at the main ter High School and LISA private schools, including: campus—a library, computer Academy provide tuition-free Arkansas Baptist School Syslabs, tutoring services, stupublic education as charter tem dent services, all housed in an schools. Central Arkansas Christian attractive new location with The city’s comprehensive Schools cutting-edge technology. public school system is operEpiscopal Collegiate School At the Little Rock-West loca- ated by the Little Rock School Little Rock Catholic High tion, the college offers both District (LRSD). As of 2012, School day and evening courses in the district includes 64 schools Little Rock Christian Acadareas such as business, Engwith more schools being built. emy lish, fine arts, health sciences, As of the 2009–2010 school Mount Saint Mary Academy history, mathematics, social year, the district has enrollPulaski Academy sciences and developmental ment of 25,685. It has 5 high Public libraries education. schools, 8 middle schools, 31 The Central Arkansas Library Several full-time faculty, a elementary schools, 1 early System includes the main student services representative childhood (pre-kindergarten) building downtown and nuand several adjunct faculty center, 2 alternative schools, merous branches throughout members are housed at the 1 adult education center, 1 the city as well as branches in site. Tutoring services and an accelerated learning center, 1 Jacksonville, Maumelle, Peropen computer lab are availcareer-technical center, and ryville, and Sherwood. The able at Little Rock-West. In about 3,800 employees. Pulaski County Law Library addition, the location houses LRSD public high schools is located at the William H. the Pulaski Technical College include: Bowen School of Law. Office of Governmental RelaHall High School Medical tions and the Career Pathways J. A. Fair Science and TechHospitals in Little Rock inprogram. nology Systems Magnet High clude: There is a Missonary Baptist School Arkansas State Hospital – PsySeminary in Little Rock assoLittle Rock Central High chiatric Division ciated with the American BapSchool Arkansas Children’s Hospital tist Association. The school McClellan Magnet High Arkansas Heart Hospital began as Missionary Baptist School Baptist Health Medical Center College in Sheridan in Grant Parkview Arts and Science Central Arkansas Veteran’s County. Magnet High School Health care System (CAVHS) Secondary schools The Pulaski County Special Pinnacle Pointe Hospital Public schools School District (PCSSD) St. Vincent Health System Little Rock is home to both serves parts of Little Rock as UAMS Medical Center World Views Guides
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Cultural includes three National RegisArkansas Arboretum – Loter historic districts with over cated at Pinnacle Mountain, it a hundred buildings on the has an interpretive trail with National Register of Historic flora and tree plantings. Places. Tours are available Arkansas Arts Center – The showing the many Victorian state’s largest art museum, and Antebellum homes. notable for its drawings, col- Robinson Center Music Hall – lections and children’s theater The main performance center productions. It features works of the Arkansas Symphony by Van Gogh and Rembrandt Orchestra. among others. The museum Villa Marre – An 1881 home has eight art galleries, a muof Italianate and Second Emseum school, gift shop and pire styles refurbished in the restaurant. 1960s and shown in the openCommunity Theatre of Little ing scenes of the television Rock – Founded in 1956, it is show “Designing Women.” the area’s oldest performance Wildwood Park for the Arts art company. – The largest park dedicated Arkansas Repertory Theatre to the performing arts in the – The state’s largest profesSouth. It features seasonal fessional, not-for-profit theatre tivals and cultural events. company, currently in its 34th Notable places season. “The Rep” produces American Taekwondo Assoworks that range from conciation World Headquarters. temporary comedies and draThe American Taekwondo mas to world premiers and the Association is based in Little classics of dramatic literature. Rock where it hosts the World Arkansas Symphony OrchesTaekwondo Championships tra – In its 41st season, the each summer. The ATA World orchestra performs over 30 Headquarters is also headconcerts a year and many spequarters for all of the Soncial events. gahm Taekwondo organizaBallet Arkansas – The state’s tions including the American only professional ballet comTaekwondo Association, the pany. Songahm Taekwondo FederaHeifer International – Head- tion and the World Traditional quarters of the global hunger Taekwondo Union. These and poverty relief organizacombined organizations have tion, located adjacent to the millions of members in the Clinton Presidential Center USA and worldwide. Quapaw Quarter – Start of Arkansas River Trail the 20th century Little Rock Arkansas State Capitol – a World Views Guides
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neo-classical structure with many restored interior spaces, constructed from 1899 to 1915. Big Dam Bridge – The longest pedestrian/bicycle bridge in North America that has never been used by cars or trucks. Clinton Presidential Library Heifer International Little Rock Marathon Little Rock River Market District – Little Rock’s most prominent entertainment district. Little Rock Zoo – Boasts over 725 animals and over 200 species. Pinnacle Mountain State Park Riverfront Park – a park located in downtown, hosts the annual Riverfest music festival, and is home to the La Petite Roche (the little rock). Willow Springs Water Park – one of the first water theme parks in the U.S. built in 1928. A poster traced back to the Cicada 3301 mystery was discovered in downtown Little Rock. Sports Club League Venue Established Championships Arkansas Travelers Texas League Dickey-Stephens Park 1895 9 Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans NCAA–Sun Belt Conference
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Jack Stephens Center and Gary Hogan Field 1927 3 Arkansas Rhinos North American Football League Mills High School 2000 1 Little Rock is home to the Arkansas Travelers. They are the AA professional Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the Texas League. The Travelers played their last game in Little Rock at Ray Winder Field on September 3, 2006, and moved into DickeyStephens Park in nearby North Little Rock in April 2007. Little Rock was also home to the Arkansas Twisters (later Arkansas Diamonds of Arena Football 2 and Indoor Football League) and the Arkansas RimRockers of the American Basketball Association and NBA Development League. Both of these teams played at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock. 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 Trojans play in the Sun Belt conference, where Arkansas State University is their chief rival.
Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium plays host to at least two University of Arkansas Razorback football games each year. The stadium is known for being in the middle of a golf course. Each fall, the city closes the golf course on Razorback football weekends for fans to tailgate. It is estimated that over 80,000 people are present for the tailgating actitivities on these weekends. War Memorial also hosts the Arkansas High School football state championships, and starting in the fall of 2006 hosts one game apiece for the University of Central Arkansas and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Arkansas State University also plays at the stadium from time to time. Little Rock was a host of the First and Second Rounds of the 2008 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. It has also been a host of the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament. The now defunct Arkansas RiverBlades and Arkansas GlacierCats, both minorleague hockey teams, were located in the Little Rock area. The GlacierCats of the now defunct Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL) played in Little Rock at Barton Coliseum while the RiverBlades of the ECHL played at the Verizon Arena. Hubert “Geese” Ausbie played basketball at Philander Smith
College in Little Rock, where he earned All-Conference and All-American honors. He later gained fame as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. John Kocinski, 250 cc and World Superbike motorcycle racing champion, is from Little Rock. World Champion Middleweight Boxer Jermain Taylor and NBA players Derek Fisher and Joe Johnson were born and/or have roots in Little Rock. Little Rock is home to the Grande Maumelle Sailing Club. Established in 1959, Grande Maumelle Sailing Club hosts multiple regattas during the year on both Lake Maumelle and the Arkansas River. Transportation Road Little Rock is served by two primary Interstate Highways and four auxiliary Interstates. I-40 passes through North Little Rock to the north, and I-30 enters the city from the south, terminating at I-40 in the north of the Arkansas River. Shorter routes designed to accommodate the flow of urban traffic across town include I-430, which bypasses the city to the west, I-440, which serves the eastern part of Little Rock including Clinton National Airport, and I-630 which runs east-west through the city, connecting west Little
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Rock with the central business district. I-530 runs southeast to Pine Bluff as a spur route. US 70 parallels I-40 into North Little Rock before multiplexing with I-30 at the Broadway exit (Exit 141B). US 67 and US 167 share the same route from the northeast before splitting. US 67 and US 70 multiplex with Interstate 30 to the southwest. US 167 multiplexes with US 65 and I-530 to the southeast. Air Main article: Clinton National Airport Nine airlines serve 18 national/international gateway cities, e.g. Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte, etc. from Clinton National Airport. In 2006 they carried approximately 2.1 million passengers on approximately 116 daily flights to and from Little Rock. Bus Greyhound Lines serves Dallas and Memphis, as well as intermediate points, with numerous connections to other cities and towns. Jefferson Lines serves Fort Smith, Kansas City, and Oklahoma City, as well as intermediate points, with numerous connections to other cities and towns. These carriers operate out of the North Little Rock bus station. Rail See also: Little Rock (Amtrak station) World Views Guides
Amtrak serves the city twice Clinton Presidential Library. daily via the Texas Eagle, with The streetcar contains fournorthbound service to Chiteen stops and has a rolling cago and southbound service stock of five cars with a daily to San Antonio, as well as nuridership of around 350. merous intermediate points. Media Through service to Los AnPrint geles and intermediate points The Arkansas Democrat Gaoperates three times a week. zette is the largest newspaper The train carries coaches, a in the city, as well as the state. sleeping car, a dining car, and As of March 31, 2006, Sunday a Sightseer Lounge car. Reser- circulation is 275,991 copies, vations are required. while daily (Monday-SaturPublic transport day) circulation is 180,662, Within the city, public bus ser- according to the Audit Bureau vice is provided by the Central of Circulations. Arkansas Transit Authority Daily legal and real estate (CATA). As of January 2010, news is also provided MonCATA operates 23 regular day through Friday in the fixed routes, 3 express routes, Daily Record. Healthcare news as well as special events shuttle covered by Healthcare Jourbuses and paratransit service nal of Little Rock. Entertainfor disabled persons. Of the 23 ment and political coverage is fixed route services, 16 offer provided weekly in Arkansas daily service, 6 offer weekday Times and monthly in the service with limited service on Little Rock Free Press. BusiSaturday, and one route runs ness and economics news is exclusively on weekdays. The published weekly in Arkansas three express routes run on Business. weekday mornings and afterIn addition to area newspanoons. Since November 2004, pers, the Little Rock market is downtown areas of Little Rock served by a variety of magaand North Little Rock have zines covering diverse interbeen additionally served by ests. The publications include: the River Rail Electric StreetAt Home in Arkansas car system, also operated by AY Magazine CATA. The River Rail StreetInviting Arkansas car is a 3.5 mile long heritage Little Rock Family streetcar system that runs Little Rock Soiree from the North Little Rock RealLIVING City Hall and throughout Television downtown Little Rock before All major television networks crossing over to the William J. have local affiliates in Little
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Rock, in addition to numerous independent stations. As for cable TVservices, Comcast has a monopoly over Little Rock and the majority of Pulaski County. Some suburbs have the option of having Comcast, Charter or other cable companies. Television stations in the Little Rock area include: Call letters Number Network KETS/AETN 2 PBS KARK 4 NBC KATV 7 ABC KATV-DT2 7.2 RTN KATV-DT3 7.3 Live Well Network KTHV 11 CBS KTHV-DT2 11.2 WeatherNation KLRT 16 Fox KVTN 25 VTN: Your Arkansas Christian Connection KASN
38 The CW KASN-DT2 38.2 The Country Network KKAP 36 Daystar KARZ 42 MyNetworkTV KARZ-DT2 42.2 Bounce TV Theatre Founded in 1976, the Arkansas Repertory Theatre is the state’s largest nonprofit professional theatre company. A member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT D), The Rep has produced more than 300 productions, including 40 world premieres, in its historic building located in downtown Little Rock. Producing Artistic Director, Robert Hupp leads a resident staff of designers, technicians and administrators in the creation of eight to ten productions for an annual audience in excess of 70,000 for MainStage productions, educational programming and touring. The Rep produces works that range from contemporary comedies and dramas to world premiers and the classics of dramatic literature. Radio AM radio Stations in the Little Rock area include: Call letters
Frequency Format KETS 620 Top 40 KEWI 690 Variety KMTL 760 Gospel KLRT 850 Children’s KLRG 880 Gospel KARN 920 Talk WLR 950 Community radio KJBN 1050 Religious KAAY 1090 Christian KCON 1230 Adult Contemporary KPZK 1250 Urban/Hip Hop KZTD 1350 Bright A/C-Talk KDXE 1380 Total Sports KTUV 1440
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Gospel FM radio stations in the Little Rock area include: Call letters Frequency Format KABF 88.3 Community radio KUAR 89.1 News and info KLRE-FM 90.5 Classical KANX 91.1 Religious KUCA 91.3 Classical KIPR 92.3 Mainstream Urban KASR 92.7 Sports KKSP 93.3 Rock KKPT 94.1 Classic Rock KHKN 94.9 Adult Hits KSSN 95.7 Country KHTE-FM 96.5 News/Talk KWLR World Views Guides
96.9 Religious KURB 98.5 Adult Contemporary KDIS-FM 99.5 Religious Talk KDJE 100.3 Active Rock KZTS 101.1 Mainstream Urban KVLO 101.7 Gospel KOKY 102.1 Urban Adult Contemporary KPZK-FM 102.5 Gospel KARN-FM 102.9 News and Talk KABZ 103.7 Sports Talk KMJX 105.1 Country KOLL 106.3 Adult Contemporary KHLR 106.7 Urban Adult Contemporary KLAL 107.7 Top 40 Notable people See also: List of people from
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Little Rock Catherine Tharp Altvater, artist and first woman to hold office in the American Watercolor Society; born in Little Rock Jamaal Anderson, defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL; former high school football star for Little Rock Parkview Reggie Arnold, running back for the Arkansas State Red Wolves football team Hubert “Geese” Ausbie (b. 1938), longtime player with the Harlem Globetrotters Roswell Beebe (1795–1856), early mayor, alderman, benefactor, and president of the Cairo and Fulton Railroad Shelby Brewer, top nuclear official in the Reagan Administration from 1981 to 1984. Frank Bonner (born 1942), actor and television director best known for playing sales manager Herb Tarlek on the classic TV sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati Helen Gurley Brown, editorin-chief of Cosmopolitan for 32 years; lived in Little Rock Wesley Clark (b. 1944), 2004 presidential contender and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Commander; born in Chicago under the name Wesley Kanne but a graduate of Hall High School in Little Rock Former President Bill Clinton and U.S. Senator Hillary
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Rodham Clinton lived in Little is buried at historic Mount Rock when Bill Clinton was Holly Cemetery in Little Rock. Attorney General of Arkan- The Fletcher Branch Library of sas 1977–1979 and Governor the Central Arkansas Library of Arkansas 1979–1981; and System is named in his honor. also returning as Governor Gil Gerard (born 1943), most 1983–1993. famous for his role as Captain Chelsea Clinton (b. 1980 William “Buck” Rogers in the in Little Rock), daughter of 1979–1981 television series President Bill Clinton and Sec- Buck Rogers in the 25th Cenretary of State Hillary Rodham tury Clinton Connie Hamzy, one of the Daniel Davis, best known as most prolific groupies of all Niles the Butler on the televitime sion program The Nanny Chris Harris, safety for the Lynn A. Davis, attorney, lecCarolina Panthers of the Naturer, and head of the state potional Football League lice in 1967, who cleared Hot Torii Hunter, Major League Springs of illegal gambling, Baseball player currently with was the U.S. marshal in Little the Detroit Tigers Rock from 1969–1974 Keith Jackson, former NFL Glen Day, PGA Tour golfer, player for the Philadelphia winner of 1999 Heritage at Eagles, Miami Dolphins, and Hilton Head, South Carolina the Green Bay Packers Dani Evans (b. 1986, also Joe Johnson, NBA basketball known as Danielle Evans), player fashion model and television E. Fay Jones, noted architect personality; winner of Cycle 6 Jerry Jones, owner of the Dalof America’s Next Top Model las Cowboys Derek Fisher, professional bas- Jim Keet, former state legislaketball player, who played for tor from Little Rock, Repubthe Los Angeles Lakers, now lican gubernatorial nominee playing for the Oklahoma City against incumbent Mike BeeThunder of the NBA be in the November 2, 2010, John Gould Fletcher (1886– general election 1950), Pulitzer Prize-winning John Kocinski, 1990 250cc Imagist poet and author. He Motorcycle World Champion was born in Little Rock to a & 1997 Superbike Motorcycle socially prominent family. World Champion, also won Fletcher suffered from depres- the 1993 United States 500 cc sion and committed suicide by Grand Prix on a Cagiva drowning in a pond near his John LeCompt (b. 1973), home in Little Rock. Fletcher musician who has been part
of the Little Rock music scene with bands like Evanescence Amy Lee (b. 1981), lead singer of the rock band Evanescence David Levering Lewis, historian, Julius Silver University Professor and Professor of History at New York University and recipient of two Pulitzer Prizes Lil’ JJ, actor, comedian, rapper, has show on Nickelodeon called Just Jordan Douglas MacArthur GCB (1880–1964), American general and Medal of Honor recipient, Supreme Commander of Allied forces in the South West Pacific Area during World War II; born in Little Rock Kevin McReynolds, Major League Baseball player for 12 years; born in Little Rock Sidney Moncrief, former Arkansas Razorback and NBA Milwaukee Bucks basketball great; born in Little Rock Houston Nutt, coach of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1997 to 2007 and former coach of the Ole Miss Rebels; born in Little Rock Brooks Robinson, legendary third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball from 1955 to 1977; born in Little Rock in 1937 and began his career at Little Rock’s own Lamar Porter Field Fatima Robinson, dance choreographer, most known for
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choreographing music videos for R&B singer Aaliyah, and recently her work in Dreamgirls Alison Rogers, real estate agent and author Jermain Taylor, professional boxer and Middleweight Champion of the World in 2005 Richard Thalheimer, founder, chairman and CEO of the Sharper Image Corporation; raised in Little Rock Vince Warren, Super Bowl champion Jason White (born 1973 in Little Rock), touring guitarist for Green Day Tommy F. Robinson, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives Music American Princes, whose record, Other People, was named Magnet magazine’s #1 album of 2008, is based out of Little Rock. Richard B. Boone (February 24, 1930 – February 8, 1999) was an American jazz musician and scat singer Cory Brandan Putman, lead vocalist for Grammy nominated band Norma Jean and ex-guitarist for Living Sacrifice a highly successful metal band based out of Little Rock. Evanescence and Ho-Hum have their roots in Little Rock. Green Day’s backup guitarist (particularly for the American Idiot tour and the 21st CenWorld Views Guides
tury Breakdown tour), Jason based in Little Rock. White is from Little Rock. Stevie Wonder’s hit song “I Billy Joel’s song “We Didn’t Was Made To Love Her” menStart the Fire” mentions Little tions Little Rock in the first Rock as a reference to the lyric. incident starting September 2, Grand Funk Railroad’s song 1957 in which then-governor We’re an American Band menOrval Faubus sent National tions Little Rock: “Out on the Guardsmen to prevent 9 black road for forty days/Last night students from entering Little in Little Rock put me in a Rock Central High School haze” as a response to the Brown v. Lenny Wiiliams, R&B singer Board of Education decision. Living Sacrifice, a Christian death/thrash/metalcore band that formed in 1989 in Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.. They are considered one of the most influential bands in the Christian metal scene. Art Porter, Sr., (February 8, 1934 – February 8, 1993) was an American jazz pianist. He was the father of jazz saxophonist Art Porter, Jr. Art Porter, Jr., (August 3, 1961 – November 23, 1996), was an American jazz saxophonist. He was the son of jazz musician Art Porter, Sr. Pharoah Sanders, an American jazz saxophonist. The Sludge metal band Rwake (signed to Relapse Records) was formed in Little Rock. Towncraft is a documentary on the 1990s Little Rock punk rock scene. Jason Truby, ex-guitarist for the band P.O.D., is from Little Rock. Truby was also in the band Living Sacrifice, also
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Little Rock Air Force Base Little Rock Air Force Base (AFB) (IATA: LRF,ICAO: KLRF,FAA LID: LRF) is a United States Air Force base located approximately 17 miles (27km) northeast of Little Rock, Arkansas. Overview Little Rock AFB is the C-130 training base for the Department of Defense, training C-130 pilots, navigators, flight engineers, and loadmasters from all branches of the US military in tactical airlift and aerial delivery. It is home to C-130E, C-130H and C-130J aircraft, as well as the C-130 Center of Excellence (i.e., schools for C-130E/H and C-130J crews). The host unit at Little Rock AFB is the 19th Airlift Wing (19 AW), assigned to the Air Mobility Command 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force. The wing provides the Department of Defense the largest C-130 Hercules transport fleet in the world, supplying humanitarian airlift relief to victims of disasters, to airdropping supplies and troops into the heart of contingency operations in hostile areas. Other organizations at Little Rock AFB include the 189th Airlift Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard, and the World Views Guides
C-130 division of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School. All of these organizations fly the C-130 Hercules. Units
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19th Mission Support Group
The 19th Mission Support Group encompasses the support and logistic functions for the base. The group includes contracting, civil engineer, communications, security forces, force support and the logistic readiness squadrons.
Little Rock Air Force Base is the home of the 19th Airlift Wing, the host unit. There are also two major associate units located here, the 314th Airlift Wing reports to Air Education • 19th Maintenance and Training Command, Group and the C-130 division of the U.S. Air Force Weapons Deploys and trains C-130 School reports to Air Combat maintainers and aircraft. The Command. Additionally, the 19th Maintenance Group’s 189th Airlift Wing of the goal in completing that Arkansas Air National Guard mission are to deploy missionis located here. The 189th AW ready combat airlifters, also reports to Air Education support AETC’s training and Training Command. mission with maintenance, generate maintained C-130s • 19th Operations Group in order to execute combat Provides and sustains airlift, support AMC partners combatant commands with with T-56 engines and develop precise and responsive theater C-130 Isochronal Inspection combat aerial delivery. The process. group trains and develops Airmen to lead the Air Force • 19th Medical Group and innovates and shapes The 19th Medical Group future combat aerial delivery offers family practice, options. The 19th Operations pediatrics and flight medicine Group is composed of four clinics that will provide flying squadrons—the 41st, the bulk of care. The 19th 50th, 53rd and 61st Airlift Medical Group also has Squadrons. The 41st is the women’s health, physical Air Force’s first activetherapy, optometry, life duty combat-ready C-130J skills, and dental clinics squadron. These squadrons along with a full array of are operational and deploy diagnostic services and throughout the world. prevention programs. For
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specialty medical services not available in the immediate medical facility,the 19th have partnered with doctors and hospitals in the area. •
314th Airlift Wing
Directly reporting to Nineteenth Air Force at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, the 314th Airlift Wing is composed of two C-130 flying squadrons—the 48th and 62nd Airlift Squadrons. It is the premier C-130 training base in the Department of Defense, training C-130 crew members from all branches of the service and the U.S. Coast Guard. 314th Operations Group
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The 314th Operations Group is a united team of diverse professionals providing the best training, airpower support and functional expertise for the 314th Airlift Wing mission through personal commitment to excellence. The 314th Operations Group mission is to train world-class, combat capable aircrews to sustain global airlift operations. The 314th Operations Group vision is to develop combat leaders of all ranks, support the warfighter, and develop world’s premier C-130 and C-21 centers of excellence. •
314th Maintenance Group
The 314th Maintenance Group five geographically separated provides direct support for units: the Arkansas Air the wing’s primary mission National Guard headquarters, forces, an AMC operational the 123rd Intelligence group and the Mobility Squadron and the 154th Weapons School. The group’s Weather Flight on Little Rock mission includes direct AFB, the 223rd Combat sortie production, aircraft Communications Squadron equipment support, aircraft in Hot Springs, Arkansas, preventive maintenance and the National Guard and inspections, component Marksmanship Training repair, maintenance Center at Camp Joseph T. training, and health of the Robinson in North Little fleet management. The Rock, Arkansas. group mission statement is: • 96th APS (Air Force “Supporting the United States Reserve) Air Force and worldwide C-130 community by Little Rock Air Force Base is providing the highest quality also home to the 96th Aerial aircraft maintenance for Port Squadron also known as aircrew initial qualification the “Combat Hogs”. The 96th and continuation training.” is Arkansas’s only Air Force The group is composed of a Reserve unit which is attached command staff element and to the 403rd wing located at two reporting squadrons; Keesler AFB, Mississippi. 314th Maintenance Operations Established in 1975, the 142 Squadron and 314th Aircraft authorized personnel are Maintenance Squadron. one of the most recognized Aerial port squadrons in • 189th Airlift Wing AFRC (Air Force Reserve (Arkansas ANG) Command). The 96th The Arkansas Air National augments the 19th yearly to Guard’s 189th Airlift Wing fill vacancies due to their AEF is located on Little Rock Air (Aerospace Expeditionary Force Base and is aligned in Force) commitments. The the standard combat wing mission of the aerial port is organization with the 189th to provide Citizen Airmen to AW headquarters staff, 189th defend the United States and Operations Group, 189th protect its interests through Maintenance Group, 189th air space and power and to Mission Support Group and prepare qualified individuals the 189th Medical Group. to deploy and perform Aerial The wing provides support to Port Operations anywhere, World Views Guides | August 2014
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at anytime in support of Air Force global airlift operations.
Arkansas. In 1961, the 70 RW was redesignated as the 70th Bombardment Wing (Medium) and converted to the B-47, but was inactivated the following year before being declared combat ready.
service in January 1970.
In June 1965, Little Rock’s 189 TRG became the first Air National Guard unit to operate History the RF-101 Voodoo and by Little Rock Air Force Base December, had assumed the was authorized in 1953 and RF-101 Replacement Training opened on 24 January 1955. In September 1962, the 154th Unit (RTU) mission for the Communications and several Tactical Reconnaissance entire Air Force. The same storage buildings, JATO Squadron of the Arkansas year, the base and associated facility, ordnance igloos, track Air National Guard relocated flying units also participated and loading platform were to Little Rock AFB and in various relief efforts such completed by 30 June 1955, reorganized as the 189th as a tornado that ripped and the base was opened Tactical Reconnaissance through Conway, Arkansas in to limited air traffic on 9 Group (189 TRG). In October, April and Hurricane Betsy in September 1955. The base the 384 BMW deployed 11 Louisiana in September. headquarters facility was B-47 Stratojet aircraft to In the 1970s the base went accepted 31 January 1956, civilian municipal airports through significant changes, and all runways and other around the nation for dispersal with the first C-130s arriving operational concrete areas alert purposes during the in March 1970. On 31 March were completed by January Cuban Missile Crisis. Also 1970, Little Rock Air Force 1957. in 1962, SAC established Base officially transferred Construction of Little Rock the 308th Strategic Missile from SAC to Tactical Air Air Force Base began on Wing (308 SMW) as the Command (TAC), with 6 November 1953 and the host organization for Little TAC’s 314th Tactical Airlift base was officially activated Rock AFB’s Titan II missile Wing (314 TAW) taking over by Strategic Air Command operations, with the first of the host wing responsibilities. (SAC) on 1 August 1955, Titan II missiles installed at Although SAC’s 308 SMW hosting SAC’s 384th a site in Searcy, Arkansas in and its Titan II ICBMs Bombardment Wing (384 February 1963. continued to be a major BMW) flying the Boeing In September 1964, the 384 tenant, the base’s primary B-47E Stratojet and the BW inactivated following mission became C-130 tactical 70th Reconnaissance Wing the retirement of the B-47 airlift operations and training, (70 RW) flying the RBfrom front-line service in with two operational C-130 47 Stratojet and KC-97 SAC. That same year, SAC’s squadrons assigned and two Stratotanker. 43d Bombardment Wing C-130 training squadrons In 1960, the Air Force transferred from Carswell assigned. In 1974, following announced that Little Rock AFB, Texas with its B-58 the divestiture of C-130 Air Force Base would house Hustler aircraft. The 43 BW tactical airlift aircraft from 18 Titan II Intercontinental would continue to operate at TAC, both the 314 TAW and Ballistic Missiles located Little Rock until the B-58’s Little Rock AFB transferred throughout the state of withdrawal from operational from TAC control to that of
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the Military Airlift Command (MAC).
was destroyed.
given the 314 AW’s primary training mission as the Formal On 1 October 1986, the Training Unit (FTU) for On 1 January 1976, the 189 189 ARG saw yet another C-130s, the base and the 314 TRG transferred being a TAC- mission change when it was AW were transferred to the gained unit to a SAC-gained redesignated as the 189th Air Education and Training unit when it converted to the Tactical Airlift Group (189 Command (AETC), and KC-135 Stratotanker and was TAG) and converted to the the base’s two operational redesignated the 189th Air C-130 aircraft, with transfer Regular Air Force C-130 Refueling Group (189 ARG), of operational claimancy to squadrons were organized becoming one of the first MAC. under the 463d Airlift Group, Air National Guard units to During the 1991 Gulf War, the an AMC unit. be assigned to Strategic Air 314 TAW’s two operational Command with a concomitant From the mid-1990s to the C-130 squadrons and the requirement to maintain a 24late 1990s, the 314 AW and 189 TAG’s C-130 squadron hour alert force at Little Rock the 463 AG supported the air supported operations from as well as deployments to war over Serbia and since the both the middle east and support worldwide tanker task September 11, 2001 attacks, European theaters. Later forces. the 463 AG has supported that year, the 314th Tactical both Operation Enduring On September 18, 1980 Airlift Wing was redesignated Freedom and Operation Iraqi an airman conducting as the 314th Airlift Wing Freedom. maintenance on a USAF (314 AW), and following the Titan-II missile at Little Rock disestablishment of MAC in In its 50-year history, Little Air Force Base’s Launch 1992, the base and the 314 Rock Air Force Base has Complex 374-7 in Southside AW were transferred to the been operated by six Air (Van Buren County), just new Air Mobility Command Force Major Commands north of Damascus, Arkansas, (AMC). The 189 TAG was (MAJCOMs): SAC, TAC, dropped a socket which fell also redesignated as the MAC, AMC, ACC, and impacting the rocket’s first 189th Airlift Group (189 AG) AETC. These represent stage fuel tank resulting in a the same year, followed by every possible MAJCOM leak. In response, evacuations redesignation as the 189th a continental U.S. based were made in the area. On Airlift Wing (189 AW) in operational flying base could September 19, 1980, the 1995. In 1993, the base have been assigned to except leaking fuel exploded. The and the 314 AW transferred for the former Air Defense force of the blast resulted in to Air Combat Command Command/Aerospace Defense the W53 warhead being hurled (ACC), as part the U.S. Air Command and Air Force about 100 feet (30m) from the Force’s decision to transfer Global Strike Command. launch complex’s entry gate; continental U.S. based C-130s In 2012, First Lady Michelle its safety features operated from AMC to ACC. In 1997, Obama visited the Little correctly and prevented any the U.S. Air Force reversed Rock base to mark the second loss of radioactive material. this decision, returning anniversary of the Let’s Move An Air Force airman was most C-130 airlift back to initiative. killed and the launch complex AMC claimancy. However, World Views Guides | August 2014
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Major commands to which assigned Strategic Air Command, 1 February 1955 • Tactical Air Command, 1 April 1970 • Military Airlift Command, 1 December 1974 Air Mobility Command, 1 June 1992 – 1 July 1993; 1 April 1997 – present •
•
Attached to: Air Education and Training Command, 1 April 1997 – present •
Air Combat Command, 1 July 1993 – 1 April 1997 Major units assigned
•
70th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, • 24 January 1955 – 25 October 1961
314th Tactical Airlift Wing, 1 April 1971 – 1974
Redesignated: 70th Bombardment Wing, 25 Redesignated: 314th Military Airlift Wing, October 1961 – 25 June 1962 1974–1991 Redesignated: 314th Airlift Wing, 1991– • 384th Bombardment Wing, 1 August present 1955 – 1 September 1965 • 825th Air Division, 1 August 1955 – 1 • 834th Airlift Division, 1 January June 1962 1972 – 31 December 1974 • 34th Tactical Airlift Training Group, Redesignated: 825 Strategic Aerospace 15 September 1978 – 1 December 1991 Division, 1 June 1962 – 1 April 1970 • 463d Airlift Group, 1 April 1997 – 1 October 2008 • 308th Strategic Missile Wing, 1 April • United States Air Force Mobility 1962 – 18 August 1987 Weapons School, 3 February 2003 – • 189th Tactical Reconnaissance Group present (various designations), 1 October 1962 – • 19th Airlift Wing, 1 October 2008 – present present • 43d Bombardment Wing, 1 September 1964 – 31 January 1970 • 64th Tactical Airlift Wing, 9 March 1970 – 30 May 1971
World Views Guides
| August 2014
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World Views Guides | August 2014