Tag Archives: Oakland Cemetery

Today at noon at Legacies & Lunch: Oakland-Fraternal Cemetery

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OakFratFor over 150 years, the Oakland-Fraternal Cemetery has been a final resting place for Little Rock citizens. This City of Little Rock cemetery is the focus on the August “Legacies and Lunch” program today at noon at the Bulter Center.  Jan Davenport, historian of the Oakland-Fraternal Cemetery will be the speaker.

The 160 acres on which Oakland-Fraternal was located was purchased from Mary Starbuck, the widow of Paul R. Starbuck, by the City of Little Rock in March 1863. This became the city’s largest cemetery. Gradually, the total acreage declined as unneeded property was sold. 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.”

Legacies & Lunch, a free program offered by the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies on the first Wednesday of each month, will feature Jan Davenport, historian of the Oakland-Fraternal Cemetery, on Wednesday, August 7, noon – 1 p.m. in the Main Library’s Darragh Center, 100 Rock Street.

After years of resting quietly, history is being uncovered at the Oakland-Fraternal Cemetery, as caretakers restore and research aged headstones. The cemetery is Little Rock’s best-kept historical secret and the final resting place for people ranging from working-class families to an assassinated judge. In her talk, “Gone but Not Forgotten: 150 Years at the Oakland-Fraternal Cemetery,” Davenport will discuss her efforts to raise awareness of the cemetery and the stories of the people resting there.

The Butler Center for Arkansas Studies is a department of CALS. It was founded in 1997 to promote the study and appreciation of Arkansas history and culture. The Butler Center’s research collections, art galleries, and offices are located in the Arkansas Studies Institute building at 401 President Clinton Ave. on the campus of the CALS Main Library.

For more information, call 918-3086.

Little Rock Look Back: Mayor William G. Whipple

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whippleOn August 4, 1834, future Little Rock Mayor William G. Whipple was born in Connecticut.  He attended school in Massachusetts and graduated from Wesleyan University. After studying law at Albany Law School, he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In 1868, Whipple moved to Little Rock following the 1866 death of his first wife in Wisconsin. Long active in Republican politics, he quickly became involved in Little Rock’s political and social life.  Shortly after his arrival he was appointed United States Attorney and served three years.

In 1870, he married Mary S. Dodge, daughter of former mayor Roderick Lathrop Dodge MD.  They had one son Durand, who followed his father into the legal profession. The Whipple family were active members of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

In 1887, Whipple was elected Mayor of Little Rock and was re-elected two years later.  During this time period, electric lighting was introduced to Little Rock (September 1, 1887), streets were paved, and new brick and concrete sidewalks were installed.

Whipple’s mayoral administration introduced electric lighting to the city beginning on September 1, 1887, paved many streets with granite and macadam, created sixty miles of new brick and concrete sidewalks, and introduced a steam dummy railway.

In 1892, he ran for Governor of Arkansas as the Republican nominee but was unsuccessful.  In 1895, he sought a third term for Mayor but was defeated by James A. Woodson.

From 1897 to 1900, he served as register of the US Land Office in Arkansas.  Whipple, who had long practiced law, was appointed United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas in 1900.  He served in that capacity until 1913.

In July 1914, Mayor Whipple died.  He is buried at Oakland Cemetery in Little Rock.