Monthly Archives: May 2015

Heritage Month – Mount Holly Cemetery

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Mount Holly greyMount Holly Cemetery is an area equal to four city blocks of the City of Little Rock.  The main entrance on Broadway is marked by an imposing structure of stone and iron, and the four block square area is enclosed in a stone and iron fence which dates from 1881.

The cemetery has a park-like appearance, generously shaded with tall and stately trees. Many of these trees are so old as to have trunk diameters in excess of 33 inches.  Mount Holly is quaint, imposing, and inspiring. It provides examples of over 170 years of funerary sculptures which range from the simple, traditional, chiseled stones of the middle 19th century to the ornate and grandiose monuments of the 1880-1890 period.  While Mount Holly may be notable for the many dignitaries who reside there, over the years persons of all economic backgrounds and races have been buried there.

After planning for a larger cemetery started in 1839, the first burial took place in 1843.  The land for the cemetery was donated by Chester Ashley and Roswell Beebe, both of whom are buried there.  Veterans of all U.S. wars dating from the War of 1812 are buried in Mount Holly Cemetery.

While today there are no more plots available for burial, there are spots available in the columbarium. A City cemetery, it has been governed by the Mount Holly Cemetery Association since 1915. Later this summer, that organization will celebrate its 100th birthday.

On March 5, 1970, Mount Holly Cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

On Memorial Day pay tribute to Veterans who paid the ultimate price at Mount Holly or other cemeteries

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MountHolly Memorial DayToday is Memorial Day – a time to pay tribute to the men and women in uniform who died in service to their country.

As a way to give this recognition, today would be a good day to visit a cemetery. One of Little Rock’s most storied cemeteries is Mount Holly Cemetery. There are veterans from all wars: Revolutionary, War of 1812, Mexican, Civil War, Spanish-American, World War I and II, Korean, Vietnam and Desert Storm.

Founded in 1843, Mount Holly has been called “The Westminster Abbey of Arkansas.” Thousands of visitors come each year. Those interested in history come to see the resting places of the territorial citizens of the state, including governors, senators, generals, black artisans, and even a Cherokee princess. For others the cemetery is an open air museum of artistic eras: Classical, Victorian, Art Deco, Modern––expressed in gravestone styles from simple to elaborate. Some come to read the epitaphs that range from heartbreaking to humorous to mysterious.

Though a City of Little Rock facility, the cemetery is maintained by the Mount Holly Cemetery Association, a non-profit organization with a volunteer Board of Directors. The cemetery is located at 1200 South Broadway in Little Rock. Gates are open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the summer and from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the winter.

Interred within the rock walls of Mount Holly are 11 state governors, 15 state Supreme Court justices, four Confederate generals, seven United States senators and 22 Little Rock mayors, two Pulitzer Prize recipients, as well as doctors, attorneys, prominent families and military heroes.  Proving that death is the great equalizer (and the J. N. Heiskell lived a very long time) longtime Gazette owner and publisher J. N. Heiskell is buried near two different nemeses: Senator, Governor and demagogue Jeff Davis; and segregationist Congressman Dr. Dale Alford.

Heritage Month – Oakland-Fraternal Cemetery

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LR National Cemetery portion of Oakland Fraternal Cemetery

LR National Cemetery portion of Oakland Fraternal Cemetery

Since the focus of Memorial Day is to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country, today’s feature is the Oakland & Fraternal Historic Cemetery Park. It was established in 1862 when the City of  Little Rock purchased a 160-acre estate in order to accommodate the Civil War dead. Through the years, this 160-acre estate has been carved into seven distinct cemeteries: Oakland, National, an eleven-acre Confederate, a one-acre Confederate, Fraternal, Jewish Oakland, and Agudath Achim. Today, 108 acres of the original 160 remain as burial grounds. The cemeteries have seen more than 62,000 burials since the first in 1863.

Oakland-Fraternal now includes over 10,000 monuments and sculptures on its 92 acres. As the public cemetery for over one hundred years, the cemetery is representative of Little Rock’s social fabric. United States Senators and Congressmen, Governors, Mayors, merchants, doctors, and educators are all interred in Oakland-Fraternal.  The cemetery is actually comprised of seven different cemeteries which are collectively known by the name “Oakland-Fraternal.”

The National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. The remaining cemeteries were listed on the National Register in 2010.

Fireworks, Fun, and Fantastic Music wrap up 2015 Riverfest today

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Riverfest fireworksRiverfest goes out with a bang today featuring the First Security Bank Fireworks at 9:00 p.m. prior to the headline entertainment. Music will be simulcast throughout Riverfront Park and broadcast on The Point 94.1.

The Miller Light/AFCU Stage starts with the First Baptist Church Vessels of Praise at 1:15.  Life Skills for Youth goes on stage at 2, while the Arkansas All Star Cloggers take the stage at 2:45.  The afternoon session also includes Charlotte Leigh (3:30), The Roosevelts (4:30), and Backroad Anthem (6:00).  Sam Hunt will play from 7:30 to 9:00, followed by the fireworks.  At 9:30, Jake Owen will close out the festival on this stage.

On the Bud Light Stage, the afternoon session includes Weakness for Blondes (1:45), The Irie Lions (3:15) and House of Shem (4:45).  The evening kicks off with Galactic featuring Macy Gray at 6:15.  Big K.R.I.T. plays at 8pm.  Following the fireworks, Girl Talk takes the stage at 9:45pm.

The Stickyz Stage gets started at 1:30 with Big Still River.  Dead Soldiers follow at 2:45, and John Paul Keith is on at 4:00.  Adam Faucett & The Tall Grass go on at 5:15.  The evening music starts with Leopold & His Fiction at 6:30.  Hot Buttered Rum plays at 7:45.  Following the Fireworks, George Porter Jr. & His Runnin’ Pardners are the final act on this stage for Riverfest 2015.

The Yarnell’s Kidzone Stage lineup includes:

  • 1:15 pm    The Kazoobie Kazoo Show w/Rick Hubbard
  • 2:15 p.m.    Break Shop Bump’n
  • 3:00 p.m.    FreezeFest Ice Cream Eating Competition
  • 3:15 p.m.   Kenya Safari Acrobats
  • 4:00 pm    The Kazoobie Kazoo Show w/Rick Hubbard
  • 5:00 p.m.  FreezeFest Ice Cream Eating Competition
  • 5:15 pm    Break Shop Bump’n
  • 6:00 pm    Kenya Safari Acrobats
  • 6:45 pm    The Kazoobie Kazoo Show w/Rick Hubbard
  • 7:45 p.m.  FreezeFest Ice Cream Eating Competition
  • 8:00 p.m    Break Shop Bump’n
  • 9:00 p.m.    Fireworks
  • 9:30 p.m.    DJ Dev

A full day of fun and music today at Riverfest

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Riverfest2015_tstDay TWO of Riverfest is full of music on four stages as well as many other activities.

Miller Light/AFCU Stage

Little Rock School of Dance starts the day on the Miller Light/AFCU Stage at 11:30, followed by I CAN! Dance (12:15), KidSmart (1pm) and O’Donovans School of Irish Dance (1:45pm).  At 2:30, Kyla Horton performs followed by Stephen Neeper & The Wild Hearts (3:30) and Adam Hambrick (4:45).

At 6pm Ben Rector goes on stage.  Robert Earl Keen takes the stage at 7:45.  The final act of the night is Kip Moore at 9:30.

 

Bud Light Stage

Things get going on the Bud Light stage at 11:30 with the winning band from Rock ‘n’ Stroll.  Then at 1pm, Brothers & Company are next.  They are followed by American Lions (2:15), Recess (3:30) and 40 Oz to Freedom (4:30).

At 6pm Sister Hazel takes the stage.  Bone Thugs ‘n’ Harmony are next at 8pm.  The evening lineup ends when 311 goes on stage at 9:45.

 

Stickyz Music Stage

At 12:30, the People’s Republic of Casio Tones starts the day on the Stickyz Music Stage.  They will be followed by Open Fields (1:45), Move Orchestra (3:00), Ghost Bones (4:15) and Bobgoblin (5:30).

The Whigs claim the stage at 6:45 followed by Vinyl Thief at 8:15.  Mansion on the Moon goes on at 9;45.

 

Yarnell’s Kidzone Stage

  • 11:30 pm Little Rock Zoo Creature Feature
  • 12:15 pm The Kazoobie Kazoo Show w/Rick Hubbard
  • 1:15 p.m. FreezeFest Ice Cream Eating Competition
  • 1:30 p.m. Little Rock Zoo Creature Feature
  • 2:15 pm Break Shop Bump’n
  • 3:00 p.m. Kenya Safari Acrobats
  • 3:45 p.m. FreezeFest Ice Cream Eating Competition
  • 4:00 p.m. The Kazoobie Kazoo Show w/Rick Hubbard
  • 5:00 p.m. Break Shop Bump’n
  • 5:45 p.m. Kenya Safari Acrobats
  • 6:30 p.m. FreezeFest Ice Cream Eating Competition
  • 6:45 p.m. The Kazoobie Kazoo Show w/Rick Hubbard
  • 7:45 pm Break Shop Bump’n
  • 8:30 p.m. DJ Dev

Heritage Month – Lincoln Viaduct

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ahpp_nom_lincolnaveviaduct_largeToday kicks off the start of the Memorial Day weekend.  Since Memorial Day grew out of the Civil War-based Decoration Day, today’s property is named for a Civil War leader: Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln Avenue Viaduct is traversed by thousands of cars each day, with most having no idea the name of the structure.  The Lincoln Avenue Viaduct is the arched bridge connecting LaHarpe with Cantrell Road which (literally) bridges downtown with the west along Highway 10.

The Lincoln Avenue Viaduct is a reinforced concrete rainbow arch bridge. It was opened at 2:05 p.m. on Friday, December 28, 1928, and, despite later alterations, it remains particularly well-preserved. The Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, considered the most important railroad company in the state, constructed the bridge amid a series of improvements in Little Rock made necessary by the damage wrought by the infamous spring floods of 1927.

Though the bride was constructed by the railroad, the City had to give authorization to do so, this was accomplished by the passing of Ordinance 4,335, at the May 28, 1928, City Council meeting.

Lincoln Avenue was one of several names for stretches of Highway 10 in Little Rock. By the 1960s, the areas west of the Lincoln Avenue viaduct were all renamed Cantrell in honor of the man who had developed much of the area west of the Heights. The longest stretch of the road already carried that name. There had been an effort to rename Highway 10 (including sections named Lincoln, Q, and Cantrell) in Little Rock for Senator Joseph Taylor Robinson in 1930. He declined the offer because he did not want to diminish the contributions of Mr. Cantrell.  Over time the entire stretch bore the name Cantrell.

The stretches east of the viaduct which involved a couple of names were renamed La Harpe Boulevard in honor of the French explorer who first saw the Little Rock.

Though the street has been renamed, the bridge still carries the name of the 16th President of the United States.

The Lincoln Avenue Viaduct was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 9, 1990.

Little Rock Look Back: Mayor Thomas D. Merrick

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IMG_5546Thomas D. Merrick was born on 23 May, 1814, in Hampden County, Massachusetts. He later moved to Indianapolis IN and Louisville KY before ending up in Little Rock.

On January 17, 1841, he married Anna M. Adams of Kentucky at Christ Episcopal Church in Little Rock. They had seven children: George, Annie, Ellie, Mollie, Lillian, Dwight, and Thomas. Thomas died at age ten.

Merrick became a prominent member of the Little Rock business community, as a merchant and cotton broker. He was involved in Freemasonry, holding the position of Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas in 1845.

In 1855 Merrick entered into a business partnership with future LR Mayor John Wassell. Merrick was also involved in city politics, serving on the city council and also as mayor from January 1854 to January 1855.

He saw active service during the Civil War. On February 6, 1861, Merrick delivered an ultimatum to Captain James Totten of the United States Arsenal at Little Rock, demanding the surrender of the federal troops.  This was more than two months before Fort Sumter was attached,.

Merrick also raised a regiment of Confederate Arkansas Militia, holding the rank of Colonel of Infantry at Camp Conway, near Springfield, Arkansas.  Following the Battle of Shiloh (April 1862), Merrick resigned his commission and returned to Little Rock.

Merrick died in his home in Little Rock on March 18, 1866.  He is buried in Mount Holly Cemetery.