In 1673, the first European explorers to travel through the Arkansas River wilderness encountered the friendly Quapaw Indians. Nine years later the famed La Salle Expedition landed at "La Petite Roche," the little rock that rested along the wild banks of the Arkansas.

Both French and Spanish expeditions followed, but even as late as 1819, when the Arkansas territory was created, the Little Rock area was still little more than a wilderness. The graceful bluffs of "La Petite Roche," did not go unnoticed for long. Little Rock became the seat of the new territorial government in 1821 and in 1831 was incorporated as a city. In 1836, Little Rock became the capital of the state of Arkansas.

Explore the past and the present in the lovely neighborhoods of Little Rock or peruse fast facts for a variety of helpful information-from weather to frequently asked questions about the Capital City. Need information on city resources like hospitals and colleges or maps and directions? Look under helpful information.

Learn more about our historic visitor's information center, Curran Hall, and plan to stop by when you arrive in Little Rock. Don't forget to send a personalized e-postcard to a friend.

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