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THE OLD STATE HOUSE
300 West Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 324-9685
From The Civil War Trust's Official Guide to the Civil
War Discovery Trail;
Courtesy of Macmillan Travel
State House (Photo courtesy of the J.N. Heiskell Historical
Collection, UALR Archives)
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Description: Most recently known as the site where President Bill Clinton
celebrated his election in 1992 and 1996, the Old State House, now an Arkansas
history museum, was the state's original capitol building from 1836 until 1911.
It was the site of many significant historic events, including the 1861
secession convention. In 1863, the Confederate government fled the area, and the
town fell to Union troops. General Frederick Steele quartered his army in the
State House during his occupation, and the building served as the seat of the
Union occupation government until the end of the War. The Old State House houses
one of the better collections of Confederate battle flags in the South, as well
as other relics of Arkansas history. A 64-pounder cannon, the "Lady Baxter",
originally from the Confederate gunboat Ponchartrain used in the 1863 defense of
Little Rock, is displayed on the front lawn.
Admission Fees: Free.
Open to Public: Mon.-Sat.: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun.: 1 p.m.- 5 p.m.
Visitor Services: Museum; gift shop; information; rest rooms; partial
handicapped access.
Directions: From I-30: take the Markham St./Cantrell Road. exit and follow
the signs.
Outside Links:
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