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By Bobbie Green

The opening of the William Clinton Presidential Museum a little over 2 years ago has presented the city of Little Rock Arkansas with a surge in tourism and they are rolling out the welcome mat. 2007 will be a big year for the city as they will also be remembering the 50th anniversary of the integration of Central High School in September.

Little Rock is not a “touristy” town yet. But there are notable historic reasons to make a visit. All presidential libraries are significant and the Clinton Presidential Center and Park are no exception. The “Bridge to the Future” is a wealth of information inside with a penetratingly visual effect to the eye of the beholder on the outside

The lovely Old State House, now a museum has been at the heart of Arkansas’s political history since 1836 and the site of Clinton’s victory celebration in 1992 and 1996. The park like grounds surrounding the State House is the epitome of the South with huge oak and magnolia trees directing ones eye to what is known as the Pillars of Power columns used frequently on old southern structures.

Most of our senior population watched the struggle at Central High School in 1957 as nine black students attempted to enter an all-white school on what was then a fledging new news medium television. An in person visit to Central High School gives one a new perspective on the crisis. One could not tell from the television pictures the enormous size of the high school. The Mobil Gas Station across the street was a base for the news people because of the pay phone has been preserved, right down to the 22 cents per gallon gas price on the pumps and is now a NSH Visitor Center. Inside is the story of the struggle with plenty of pictures.

The world headquarters of Heifer International is also located in Little Rock. This non-profit organization, one of the global leaders fighting hunger and poverty throughout the world, was founded in Little Rock.

Its environmentally friendly headquarters is a showplace and departing visitors were expressing their amazement over the whole agricultural and livestock training operation. Many visitors become contributors.  The Clinton Presidential Center and the Heifer Headquarters are not to be missed sites when in Little Rock.

Getting off the beaten path a little would be a visit to the old Pugh Mill in North Little Rock, a re-creation of a water-powered gristmill in 1828.  It was created in 1933 for the opening scene in Gone with the Wind movie. To my surprise it was not just a façade, it was complete inside and out with beautiful stone work done by a Mexico City artist Dionico Rodriguez and when it was renovated in 1991 the work was done by his grandson, Carlos Cortes. The unbelievably picture perfect setting is now on the National Register of Historic Places. You may go there for a serene picnic or take photos, even plan your wedding there.

Little Rock Tours With a Twist offers an exceptional and unusual overview of the city with their tour. I can recommend taking it, especially if your time is limited.

There are plenty of places to stay in Little Rock; my stay at the Peabody Hotel with the famous Peabody Duck Parade was memorable. They have a great downtown, river view location, right next door to the Old State Court House and close to the street car stop. The lobby bar at happy hour is not an unpleasant place to be either.

Good eating is easy in Little Rock. Seafood and steakhouses are in abundance. I can personally vouch for the Cajun’s Wharf which also serves excellent Etoufee and Gumbo. Did I mention Restaurant Row in front of the River Walk?  You will find something for every tastebud and budget there.

Above are the highlights of the numerous attractions I found in little ole’ Little Rock. A place I did not previously consider a leisure travel destination. When touring the South you want to put Little Rock on your itinerary. You will be received with all that remarkable southern charm.

If You Go

Clinton Presidential Center

501-374-4242

www.clintonpresidentialcenter.org

Central High Visitor Center

501-374-1957

Call for 50th anniversary info.

www.nps.gov/chsc

Little Rock Tours

501-868-7287

www.littlerocktours.com

Peabody Little Rock

501-375-5000

www.peabodylittlerock.com

Clarion hotel

501-374-9000

www.clarioninn.com

Littlerock visitor center

800-844-4781

Littlerock.com

Heifer International

800-696-1918

Heifer.org

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