As the state capital and one of the most important cultural and economic centers in the American south, the city of Little Rock, AR is home to plenty of historical attractions that draw tourists from all over the country each year. If you are going on a memorable road trip around Arkansas in your new 2022 Ford Explorer Platinum, here are three historical landmarks you should visit while in Little Rock.
1. Old State House Museum
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969,
the Old State House Museum of Little Rock is one of the oldest standing state
capitol buildings in the entire country, with its original structure dating
back to the 1840s. Designed and constructed by architects Gideon Shryock and
George Weigart, this building is located right along the southern banks of the
Arkansas River in the downtown area.
After government functions were transferred to the new capitol building in the
1910s, this historical construction was used as a medical school, an office
building, and a museum. Having undergone a major renovation in the 1990s, this
place is nowadays one of the main tourist attractions in the city, featuring
permanent exhibits on the history and culture of Arkansas.
2. Little Rock Central High School
Located in the southern part of the city, Little Rock
Central High School is one of the most important historical sites in the southern
United States and a place every visitor must check out while in town. Founded
in 1869, this public high school was the site in which the enrollment of nine
African American students was initially prevented due to racial segregation,
sparking a wave of nationwide protests, and ending with the intervention of
President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Nowadays, Little Rock Central High School still functions as an educational
institution. In 1998, the Little Rock Central High School National Historic
Site was established in partnership with the National Park Service, featuring a
visitor center and permanent exhibitions on the Little Rock integration crisis
and the Civil Rights Movement.
3. Clinton Presidential Center
Encompassing an area of nearly 70,000 square feet, the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum is the largest presidential library in the country, as well as a popular local attraction where visitors can learn more about the 42nd United States president through permanent exhibitions, replicas, and artifacts. This local landmark is also located near the banks of the Arkansas river and can be reached on foot from the city center.
If you are searching for a trusted local dealership offering the best new and used vehicles in town, you’re in the right place! Stop by Crain Ford of Little Rock today, check out our latest models, and take home a new or used vehicle for you and your family.
Image via Pixabay.
