Living Our Dream

Old State House

2013-05-20T18:03:49-04:00

Old State House

Little Rock, AR - Events of Tuesday, May 14 to Wednesday, May 15, 2013

After our walk across the Big Dam Bridge that we wrote about in our last post, we headed to downtown Little Rock to see the Old State House Museum.

Little Rock is the capital of Arkansas. Although we have visited a number of state capitol buildings, we have never toured the one in Little Rock. We didn't tour it on this stop either, but we decided to visit the building that once served as the state capitol until 1911 when the current capitol building was completed.

The Old State House is the oldest surviving capitol building west of the Mississippi. It was used for several different purposes following the relocation of the state government to the new building in 1911. In 1947, the building became a museum. The Old State House Museum underwent a three-year restoration that was completed in 1999.

Old State House Museum

The Old State House has three sections - one for each branch of the government. The center section with its large pediment and four Doric columns was for the legislature, the west section (left) was for the executive branch and the east section was for the judicial branch.

Legislative section of the Old State house

The original design was for a larger structure built from stone, but the design was revised prior to starting construction due to budget limitations. The size was reduced, the stone was replaced by stucco-covered brick, and tin was used for the roof material instead of the copper. Inside, faux graining was used on doors and woodwork and faux marbling was used on mantles. Construction started in 1833 and was well underway when Arkansas became a state in 1836.

In 1885, the building was expanded. The portico and columns on the back side of the center section were removed, and the building was extended 50' to accommodate a larger legislature for the growing population. The rear portico was not replaced following the expansion.

The fountain in front of the State House is a 1998 recast of the original fountain, which was made for the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia by a foundry that made cannons for the Confederacy during the Civil War. The original fountain was placed in front of the State House in 1878. It remained dry until the installation of city water in 1880.

1998 reproduction of the original 1876 Centennial Fountain

Inside the museum is a piece of the original 1876 fountain.

Rusted piece of the original fountain

The State house was originally designed as three separate buildings connected by covered walkways as shown in the artist rendering below. The walkways were later enclosed and were eventually extended to the two-story, enclosed hallways that exist today.

The State House was originally three separate buildings connected by covered walkways.

Inside the museum are a number of permanent and traveling exhibits that include a section on the history of the building itself plus many historical Arkansas artifacts. Paul thought the old typewriter in the next photo was interesting. Many youngsters today have never even seen a typewriter much less used one.

1920s typewriter

There are also several period rooms that have been designed and furnished by various civic groups. Unfortunately, although there were signs giving credit to the group that was responsible for each room, we couldn't find any information about what periods the rooms represented or why they were significant.

Period room set up as a library

A good bit of the second floor is dedicated to the first families of Arkansas. There were exhibits of memorabilia from some of the more well-known Arkansas governors including Orval Faubus who was governor during the 1957 desegregation crisis in Little Rock that we learned about when we visited the Central High School National Historic Site a few days prior.

Memorabilia from Governor Orval Faubus

Governor Mike Huckabee, who was once a presidential candidate, was also represented in the museum.

Memorabilia from Governor Mike Huckabee

There were also some cardboard cutouts of past governors. We don't know who the ones are to the left, but Bill Clinton with his saxophone to the right was certainly recognizable. Bill Clinton is probably one of the best-known governors of Arkansas. The William J. Clinton Presidential Library is located in Little Rock, and you can click here to read about our 2009 visit to his library.

Cardboard cutouts of several past Arkansas governors including Bill Clinton

There was also a fairly large display of Arkansas first ladies' ball gowns; but unfortunately, the lighting, which is kept low to avoid fading, was too dim for photos.

Also on the second floor are two legislative chambers. The smaller one is furnished the way it would have been around 1836 when Arkansas first became a state. After the 1885 expansion of the building, the legislature moved across the hall to a larger chamber in the newly added wing. Today, the larger chamber is used to display various plaques and photos detailing the history of the Arkansas.

1836 legislative chamber

After we finished our tour of the Old State House, we stopped for a late lunch at Cotham's in the City. Cotham's in the City is the sister restaurant to Cotham's Mercantile that we have gone to in the past. Cotham's Mercantile is located in an old general store in Scott, AR about 10 or 12 miles to the east of Little Rock. Cotham's in the City is located only a few blocks away from the Old State House, so it made sense to go there instead of driving all the way to Scott.

Cotham's in the City

Cotham's is the home of the Hubcap Burger. The Hubcap Burger is huge - about 8" diameter - so we split one. The burger comes with regular fries for $10; but we substituted an order of sweet potato fries at a nominal upcharge for Paul, and we added an order of onion rings for Margery.

Hubcap Burger with sweet potato fries for Paul and onion rings for Margery

Margery with her half of the Hubacp Burger

The burger is not only large, but it is also thick. The extra thickness helps keep the burger nice and juicy during cooking. The bun is also big, but it's not too thick. That makes for more meat and less bun, which gives the burger plenty of good, beefy flavor.

We decided to share a piece of Mississippi Mud Pie for dessert. Cotham's version has a layer of vanilla ice cream between two layers of dense, chocolate cake. The whole thing is smothered in hot fudge and topped off with a couple of dollops of whipped cream. We shared a piece the first time we went to Cotham's Mercantile several years ago, and we remembered it was yummy. We were planning to share a whole piece this time, but our waitress warned us a whole portion was huge and advised us the half portion size was plenty for two. She was right. Even the half portion was big.

Mississippi Mud Pie

Since the new Arkansas Capitol is only about two blocks from Cotham's, we decided it was only fitting we should at least drive past to take a quick photo since we weren't planning on touring it this time in Little Rock. On the way there, we passed three horsemen traveling down the road. When we first saw them from a distance, we thought they were cowboys, and we had been somehow transported to Texas. As we got close, however, we realized they were mounted police.

Mounted police in downtown Little Rock

Current Arkansas Capitol building

After driving past the capitol, we headed back to the motor home for an evening of TV. The next day (Wednesday), we mixed relaxation with a few chores in preparation for our departure on Thursday. We'll tell you where we went in our next post.

Big Dam Bridge

2013-05-19T17:19:37-04:00

Big Dam Bridge

Little Rock, AR - Events of Tuesday, May 14, 2013

The Murray Lock and Dam is located on the Arkansas River in Little Rock. On September 30, 2006, a pedestrian-bicycle bridge located at the dam was opened to connect the cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock. The bridge, which was 8 years in the planning and building, was built to connect miles of scenic walking and biking trails on both sides of the river.

Tuesday was a beautiful, sunny day so we decided to check out the bridge.

Paul at the sign for the Murray Lock and Dam

The bridge was originally intended to be called the Murray Dam Bridge, but when an official made a comment about building the "big dam bridge" (and he insisted he was referring to the location at the dam, not using an expletive), the name stuck. It is officially known as the Big Dam Bridge.

Margery at the sign for the Big Dam Bridge

The total length of the bridge is 4,226 feet. The main span across the dam is 3,463 feet, and the the approach ramps make up the remainder of the length. The approach ramps are at a 5% grade.

Paul starting up the approach ramp on the Little Rock side

View of the dam and bridge from near the top of the ramp

From the top of the ramp, we got a good view of the lock. We were hoping to catch a boat going through; but, even though there were several tow boats with barges that passed the campground the night before, there normally isn't that much river traffic. There was nothing in sight - not even a row boat - the entire time we were at the bridge.

Murray Lock

We started out across the main span, which stands 90 feet above the river on the downstream side.

Approaching the center of the main span

The sun was hot and the air temperature was approaching 90º, but there was a nice breeze as we walked across the bridge. Since it was a weekday, there were only a few cyclists, a couple of joggers and several other walkers.

There are small observation platforms along the main span where you can get a good view of the bridge supports. Notches for the bases of the bridge supports were cut into the concrete supports for the flood gates.

View of the flood gates and bridge supports

From the main span you can also get good views up and down the river. Maumelle Park, where we were staying, is located near the cone-shaped peak to the left of center in the next photo.

View up the Arkansas River (west)

View down the Arkansas River

We had more stops to make so we didn't take the time to walk all the way across the bridge. Because it was getting late, we only walked a little past the center. We'll tell you all about our other stops in our next post.

Gardens at Wildwood

2013-05-16T17:30:36-04:00

Gardens at Wildwood

Little Rock, AR - Events of Monday, May 13, 2013

Paul was up early on Monday as usual, and he got to enjoy a beautiful sunrise over the Arkansas River behind our site.

Sunrise over the Arkansas River

Margery's research into things to do brought up the Gardens at Wildwood only a few miles from the campground, so our plan was to run a few more errands on Monday morning and stop by the gardens on our way back to the motor home. The garden is part of the Wildwood Park for the Arts. The park is dedicated to the development of the cultural arts including visual, performing, horticultural, culinary, literary and more. The 104-acre woodland site includes a theater for the performing arts, a studio theater, production facilities and a botanical garden.

Wildwood had its beginnings in the Arkansas Opera Theater, which was founded in 1974. The site for the park was a gift from Deltic Timber Co. Wildwood Park opened to the public in 1989. Admission to the garden is free.

When we arrived, we were a little confused as to where we should park and where the garden was. We happened upon a fellow who was just getting ready to do some mowing. He explained where the different garden areas were located, and he went inside to get us a map of the gardens.

Equipped with a map, we began to explore starting with an artificial waterfall and pond near the entrance to the theater.

Waterfall and pond

Just beyond the administrative office was a shady lawn with white, wrought-iron benches.

Shady lawn near the administrative office

Next to the lawn is the Woodland Asian Garden. This garden is the project of the Pulaski County Master Gardeners.

Woodland Asian Garden

Next, we came a small stream with numerous iris in bloom.

Stream with iris in bloom

After we finished strolling through the gardens in the vicinity of the theater, we crossed the parking lot to the 8-acre lake. Following the map, we headed to the Zahn Rock Garden, which is along the side of a small hill.

Rock garden as viewed from the top of the hill

View of the rock garden from below

Below the rock garden is Rhododendron Circle.

Paul at Rhododendron Circle

We continued along the path to the far end of the lake and the Gertrude Remmel Butler Gazebo.

Gertrude Remmel Butler Gazebo

View of the lake from the gazebo

Near the gazebo is the daylily garden, which is the project of the Chenal Valley Garden Club. Unfortunately, we were a little too early to see the daylilies in bloom.

We strolled back toward the car by way of the path that follows the lake shore where we saw the resident swan paddling on the lake.

Swan at Wildwood Gardens

Although the property is big, the gardens are still being developed, and the plantings aren't real extensive. However, what is there is well done, and we enjoyed a peaceful walk through the woods and along the lake, and we enjoyed seeing the different garden areas and the flowers that were in bloom.

A few of the flowers in bloom at Wildwood Gardens

We headed back to the motor home to relax for the rest of the day. Our time in Little Rock was winding down, but we had more thing we wanted to do. Stay tuned.