Since we were in the area, we decided to visit Little Rock, AR.
Our first stop was the Visitor Center in Curran Hall, an 1842 Greek Revival-style house. This was well-worth the stop. We were able to make the most of our one day visit due to the helpfulness of the lady at the desk. She let us know about a genealogy library, that we had no idea existed. Since we are in Arkansas do work on Ted's family history, this really peaked our interest.
Driving in Little Rock was easy to do and easy on the eye. We were amazed at how many old homes, some boarded up and some well preserved, still exist here. This one seems o be screaming for someone to make it beautiful again.
This is all that is left of an army post where General Douglas MacArthur was born 29 Jan 1880, while his father was serving his country. There is a museum, but we opted to do a drive-by so that we could see more.
Central High School has a great deal of meaning for Penny, the retired educator, and to both of us because we lived through the events that occurred here. In 1957 nine African-American students were denied entrance after facing an angry mob, protesting their integration. This was the most important test of the U. S. Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954. In 1958, CHS was the site of another court case resulting in the decision by the U. S. Supreme Court that teaching evolution in public schools could not be denied based upon religious grounds.
This electric trolley takes passengers up and down President Clinton Ave. in Little Rock and across the river to North Little Rock.
President Clinton Ave. runs through a vibrant shopping area to the Clinton Library at the East end.
Now this is brilliant! Why are more cities doing this? This is an old railroad bridge that is now a pedestrian path from an RV park in North Little Rock to the Clinton Library only blocks from the shopping area above.
We are trying to visit as many presidential libraries and homes as possible. This the exterior of Clinton's Library.
Pres. Clinton's limosine decorates the lobby.
Note the slightly higher chair in the middle of the left-side of the table in this replica of the Cabinet Room. That is the President's spot.
The Clinton Oval office was attractively decorated with far for color than that of Pres. Truman.
It was fun to see one of the tables set for a formal event in the White House like we have seen on TV so many times.
This Menorah was so clever. It was one of the many gifts given to the Clintons that were on display.
The famous Dale Chihuley made two of these sculptures for a Christmas display in the White House. He donated this one to the Clinton Library after it opened.
Once we learned about the genealogy library, we were determined to have enough time to go there. It is located on the second floor of this building in the heart of the shopping area on Pres. Clinton Ave. Ted found two items of value, giving him hope that he will find more when we get to the counties where some of his ancestors lived.
Behind the shops is a pretty park on the Arkansas river and another former railroad bridge made for pedestrians now. There is an elevator and stairs to take people to the walk. North Little Rock waits on the other side.
One of the librarians at the genealogy library recommended this place for dinner.
These motors decorate the side of the restaurant. Apparently, one was in the shop.
We shared a catfish po' boy. If you want it to have a little fire, you ask to "Make it snappy". If that isn't good enough, "Make it snappy, snappy." It, the hush puppies, and fries were delicious!
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