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Little Rock, Arkansas

"The Rock"

Forever linked to the 1957 Central High desegregation crisis — a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement that changed America.

Founded 1821 | Population 205,857 | Peak 205,857 (2024) | County Pulaski County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Little Rock, Arkansas

1957Little Rock Nine / Central High Crisis: Nine Black students integrated Central High. Governor Faubus blocked them with the National Guard. Eisenhower sent the 101st Airborne to escort the students — the most significant federal civil rights intervention since Reconstruction.

1821City Founded: Settlement established at 'la petite roche' on the Arkansas River.

1836Arkansas Statehood: Arkansas became the 25th state with Little Rock as capital.

1863Civil War Capture: Union forces captured Little Rock in September 1863.

1927Great Flood: The 1927 Mississippi flood devastated areas around Little Rock.

1958Lost Year: Governor Faubus closed all public high schools for a year rather than integrate.

1978Clinton Elected Governor: Bill Clinton became one of the youngest governors at 32.

1996River Market District: The waterfront district opened, beginning downtown transformation.

2004Clinton Presidential Library: The library opened on the waterfront, attracting visitors worldwide.

2017Central High 60th Anniversary: The 60th anniversary of integration was nationally commemorated.

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Population Over Time

Complete Historical Timeline

1821 Government

Founded at 'la petite roche'

1836 Government

Arkansas statehood

1863 Disaster

Union captures city

1927 Disaster

Great Flood

1957 Civil Rights

Little Rock Nine integrate Central High

1958 Civil Rights

Governor closes all high schools

1978 Politics

Bill Clinton elected governor

1996 Business

River Market opens

2004 Culture

Clinton Library opens

2023 Government

Population exceeds 205,000

Did You Know?

Central High is the only operating high school that is also a National Historic Site.

Governor Faubus closed all four Little Rock high schools for the entire 1958-59 school year — the 'Lost Year.'.

The Big Dam Bridge is the longest bridge in North America built specifically for pedestrians and cyclists at 4,226 feet.

Famous People from Little Rock, Arkansas

Douglas MacArthur

Military Officer, Army Officer · Born Jan 26, 1880 · Died Apr 5, 1964 (age 84)

Chelsea Clinton

Writer, Businessperson · Born Feb 27, 1980 · Age 45

Josh Lucas

Actor, Voice Actor · Born Jun 20, 1971 · Age 54

John Michael Jumper

Computational Biologist, Artificial Intelligence Researcher · Born Jan 1, 1985 · Age 41

Joey Lauren Adams

Screenwriter, Actor · Born Jan 9, 1968 · Age 58

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