On January 16, 1832, Mayor Matthew Cunningham MD presided over Little Rock’s first council meeting. Since Little Rock did not yet have a government hall, the Mayor and his wife hosted the meeting at their house. The Cunninghams owned the entire block which was bordered by what is now Main Street, 3rd Street, Louisiana Street and 4th Street.
A plaque at 3rd and Main Street commemorates this meeting and was placed there in the 1930s. The Cunningham’s house was likely closer to the southwest corner of the block. The plaque is on the Fulk building which contains Bennett’s Military Supply. The block also includes the Mann on Main project, which is comprised of the buildings originally constructed for the Gus Blass Department store.
Little Rock was chartered as a town in 1831 and elections were subsequently held. Dr. Cunningham outpolled Rev. W. W. Stevenson to become the first Mayor.
Joining Mayor Cunningham at the first meeting were the original four Town Council members – Charles Caldwell, Benjamin Clemens, David Holt and John McLain.
In 1931 a plaque, as part of Little Rock’s Centennial, a plaque was erected to note the first meeting. The plaque erroneously implies that the first meeting was in 1831. This mistake is understandable since the first election was in 1831. The plaque also refers to the body as the City Council. It was, in fact, the Town Council. There would not be a City Council until 1835 when Little Rock was elevated to City status.
On January 16, 1916, future Little Rock Mayor Martin Borchert was born in Stuttgart. After graduating high school he moved to Little Rock. He started work at ACME Brick and spent 21 years there before engaging in other business interests. Among these businesses were Martin Borchert Co., ASCO Hardware, Dtection Systems Inc. and Component Systems Inc. In 2005 he was inducted into the Arkansas Construction Hall of Fame.
It was fifty years ago this week, on January 16, 1964, that HELLO, DOLLY! opened on Broadway. The 50th anniversary national tour is playing in Little Rock tonight through Thursday (the actual 50th anniversary date).
The Central Arkansas Library System wants you to read your way into the new year with New Year New Reads 2014. All you have to do is read or listen to the book of your choice, then submit a 14 word review. The most creative 14 word book review submitted via e-mail or tweet between Monday, January 6 and Sunday, February 16, will be eligible to win a Kindle Fire! Entries submitted in person to your local branch may be eligible for alternate prizes (check with 
