Little Rock Look Back: Drawing the Quapaw Line

Posted on August 24, 2014 by Scott

On August 24, 1818, the Quapaw Line was drawn. Starting at La Petite Roche and heading due south, this line formed the boundary between the Quapaw tribe lands and public lands available for settlement. Though by 1824, the Quapaw were forced to give up all of their lands, the line continued serve as an important marker. In the ensuing six years, the first permanent settlement of Little Rock took place and streets were planned.

It is interesting to note that the 1818 treaty referred to La Petite Roche as the Little Rock. Some have speculated that this is the first official use of “Little Rock” to designate the outcropping. When the Post Office was established in March 1820, it was given the name Little Rock.

There is a marker commemorating the beginning of the Quapaw Line located at La Petite Roche in Riverfront Park. The first segment of the line is also noted in the park. There are also sunken markers (such as the one to the left) place along the line at various points. In MacArthur Park, at the corner of 9th and Commerce Streets, there is a marker noting that the line passed through at that location.

A good account of walking the Quapaw Line through downtown Little Rock can be found on this website.

Most of what is now called the Quapaw Quarter was located to the west of the Quapaw Line. However, it did take its name from the fact that the tribe had once lived in that area and was later sequestered to lands near it. The name for the area was chosen by a committee composed of David D. Terry, Peg Newton Smith, Mrs. Walter Riddick Sr., Dr. John L. Ferguson, and James Hatcher. They had been appointed to a Significant Structures Technical Advisory Committee to advocate for preservation of important structures as a component of the City of Little Rock’s urban renewal efforts.

QQA’S Rhea Roberts receives Historic Real Estate Development Professional certification

Posted on August 18, 2014 by Scott

On August 11, 2014, Executive Director of the Quapaw Quarter Association Rhea Roberts received certification as a Historic Real Estate Development Finance Professional (HHDFP) from the National Development Council (NDC). HHDFP Certification is a professional credential given to individuals who successfully complete NDC’s intensive historic real estate development finance training series. The training provides individuals working in the field of housing development with instruction in housing development finance, rental housing development finance including problem solving and deal structuring, and the creation and implementation of development programs.

The two HHDFP Certification Program courses were five days in length and concluded with an exam. Upon successful completion of the courses, the candidate is awarded HHDFP Certification.

The National Development council was established in 1969 and is a non-profit organization specializing in economic and housing development training and technical assistance for community development. NDC has provided training to over 60,000 professionals working in the fields of economic and housing development. Participants come from diverse backgrounds including city and state governments, public agencies, community-based organizations, professional organizations and banks.

Rhea Roberts has served as Executive Director of the Quapaw Quarter Association since August 2010. The QQA’s mission is to promote the preservation of Little Rock’s architectural heritage through advocacy, marketing and education. Incorporated in 1968, the QQA grew out of an effort to identify and protect significant historic structures in Little Rock during the urban renewal projects of the early 1960s. Throughout its existence, the QQA has been a driving force behind preservation in Greater Little Rock.

Little Rock Look Back: Mark Stodola, LR’s 72nd Mayor

Posted on May 18, 2014 by Scott

Today, May 18, is the birthday of current Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola.

Mark Stodola was elected as Mayor for the City of Little Rock, beginning his term in January 2007 and re-elected to a 2nd term beginning in 2011. Mayor Stodola has been key in promoting the revitalization of Little Rock’s Main Street, resulting in the City having been awarded a “Greening of America’s Capitals Grant” from the Environmental Protection Agency and an “Our Town Grant” from the National Endowment for the Arts for the creation of an Arts District in the heart of the downtown core. The UA’s Community Design Center, which includes faculty and staff members from the school, won a 2014 Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects for its work on the Creative Corridor, on which it collaborated with Marlon Blackwell Architect of Fayetteville.

Prior to becoming Mayor, he served as a senior partner in the Little Rock Law Firm Catlett & Stodola, PLC. While at that firm, he served as General Counsel to the Little Rock Airport Commission. Having previously served the City of Little Rock as its City Attorney for six (6) years, he was elected as Prosecuting Attorney for the 6th District in 1990 and was re-elected again in 1992 and 1994. Mayor Stodola is Past President of the Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association and the Arkansas City Attorneys Association, as well as Past Chair of the Municipal Operations Section of the International Municipal Lawyers Association. In addition, he is a member of various State, regional and national legal and professional associations.

Mayor Stodola is a graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock, and served as Chair of Class 16 for that program. In addition, he is a member of the Heights Neighborhood Association and serves as Co-Chair of the Downtown Partnership’s Main Street Task Force. Mayor Stodola has served on the Board of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre (for which he was the attorney who incorporated the Rep) and is Past-President of the Quapaw Quarter Association and the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas. He has worked with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program and is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Little Rock.

Mayor Stodola graduated from the University of Iowa with a double major in Political Science and Journalism, and received his law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville. Mayor Stodola is married to Jo Ellen and has three (3) children: a daughter, Allison; and twin sons, Robert and John Mark.

QQA 50th Spring Tour this weekend

Posted on May 10, 2014 by Scott

The QQA will be celebrating its 50th Spring Tour this coming Mother’s Day weekend, May 10-11! This year, we’re holding the golden anniversary of the tour in the Governor’s Mansion Historic District. We’ve enlisted the help of Arkansas First Lady Ginger Beebe and P. Allen Smith as Honorary Co-Chairs to help us spread the word about our half-century anniversary. Shalah Brummett and Anthony Black will be leading our volunteer committee to make all the arrangements, and we’re excited to have the help of several other former Tour Chairs. The tour will include the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion and five houses within easy walking distance: the Cochran Cottage, Pierce House, Turner-Back House, Caruth-Cachran House and the Old Methodist Parsonage.

They have out of Candlelight Tour and Dinner tickets, as well as Sunday Brunch tickets. Tickets for tonight’s After Party and Sunday afternoon online, or by visiting Curran Hall at 615 East Capitol Avenue.

Saturday, May 10

5:30 – 7:30, Candlelight and Champagne Tour of Homes surrounding the Governor’s Mansion

Enjoy a leisurely stroll in this historic neighborhood with champagne, wine, and hor d’oeuvres while touring our featured homes.

7:30– 9:30, Dinner & Party at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion

Join us at the Governor’s Mansion for dinner and drinks with honorary co-chairs P. Allen Smith and First Lady Ginger Beebe.

9:30 onwards, The After Party at South on Main Restaurant, 1304 South Main Street

Help the QQA celebrate five decades of preservation work at a late-night party at South on Main with Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers.

Saturday night tickets are also valid for Sunday afternoon tour Sunday,

Sunday, May 11

11:00-1:00, Brunch and Garden Tour at Curran Hall, 615 East Capitol Avenue

Start your Mother’s Day festivities at Historic Curran Hall with a casual brunch buffet and mimosa bar and tour the Marjem Ward Jackson Historic Garden.

1:00-5:00, Spring Tour of Homes, Governor’s Mansion Historic District

50th Spring Tour of Homes with lawn games, kid friendly activities, live music, food vendors, trolley rides, and more!

Bike Through the Quapaw Quarter

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Scott

Help the Quapaw Quarter Association celebrate its Fiftieth Spring Tour of Homes in May with a fun ride through the Quapaw Quarter. Led by Mason Ellis, the tour will include a preview of the 2014 Spring Tour homes and several sites from the original 1963 tour that helped galvanize the historic preservation movement in Little Rock. The tour will also highlight the diversity of the Quapaw Quarter neighborhoods and some of the positive changes that have occurred over the past five decades. Ride your own bike or borrow one for free from Bobby’s Bike Hike.

Space is limited to 20 participants, so RSVP early to qqa@quapaw.com or 501-371-0075.

QQA’s 50th Spring Tour of HomesHonorary Co-Chairs Arkansas First Lady Ginger Beebe and P. Allen Smith and the Quapaw Quarter Association Board of Directors invite you to join us for the 50th Spring Tour of Homes this Mother’s Day weekend, May 10-11, 2014.

On this year’s tour, the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion and five houses on surrounding streets will be open to the public for tours. This year’s tour houses are:

The Mayer Cottage 1937-38
317 West Seventeenth Street

The Pierce House c. 1881
1704 Center Street

The Turner-Back House 1884-85
1722 Center Street

The Caruth-Cochran House c. 1882
320 West Eighteenth Street

The Old Methodist Parsonage c. 1927
401 West Eighteenth Street

Chris Olsen at QQA Preservation Conversation tonight

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Scott

The Quapaw Quarter Association’s award-winning Preservation Conversation series continues tonight.

The program takes place this evening at Curran Hall, 615 East Capitol Avenue. From 5:30 to 6:00 a reception will take place. The program will run from 6:00 to 7:00.

This evening’s speaker will be Chris H. Olsen, a nationally known home and garden guru, designer, author, TV personality and public speaker. Chris will be speaking on landscaping for historic homes. Learn more about Chris at http://www.chrisholsen.com/.

Landscape Designer Chris H. Olsen attended Oxford University in England, studying landscape architecture, landscape principals, and philosophy and also graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in business. Chris has over 25 years of landscape architecture and interior design experience. In partnership with his father, Chris obtained a landscape maintenance company called Doramus and established the Horticare Landscape Company. After only ten years, the company grew into five divisions: chemical, maintenance, landscape, nursery, and irrigation. In 2003, Chris opened his second home and garden store called Botanica Gardens on Rebsamen Park Road. In September of 2005, Chris chose to pursue other endeavors in his life and sold Horticare. His new book called “Five Seasons with Chris Olsen” was released in December of 2011.

The Quapaw Quarter Association’s mission is to promote the preservation of Little Rock’s architectural heritage through advocacy, marketing and education. Incorporated in 1968, the QQA grew out of an effort to identify and protect significant historic structures in Little Rock during the urban renewal projects of the early 1960s. Throughout its existence, the QQA has been a driving force behind historic preservation in Greater Little Rock.